Can you be prescribed Adderall or Dexedrine by a doctor if they are aware you have previously used illegal drugs to self-medicate ADD?

What Doctors Can Prescribe

That depends...were you previously using an amphetamine (speed/crystal/coke/etc.) because if so, I'm not sure what effect that might have on your obtaining an adderall Rx because it is a Class 3, controlled drug and the generic is "Amphetamine Salts", so Adderall has a warning of possible addiction/abuse. BUT, you should ALWAYS be honest honest honest so you can be prescribed what is best. Mention adderall, mention your concerns, and just be open.

I agree with everything that was stated above, but would like to add something from my own experience. When I first was diagnosed with ADHD about two months ago my doctor asked me if I'd used ritalin as a study aid prior to, and also what effects it had; I told him that I'd not used ritalin, but had used adderall and proceeded to explain the effects I'd noticed as honestly as I could recall. He was in no way upset, angry, or condemning of this; he proceeded to go ahead and put me on adderall since he felt, given my past experiences as I'd recounted to him, it would be an effective course of action. This just goes to show that if you answer honestly the doctor will always do what he believes is the best solution regardless of the "rules".

Here is more information from WikiAnswers contributors:

• Depends on the doctor. Treatment of AD/HD with leagally prescribed amphetamines has actualy been shown to reduce illegal and dangerous drug use in people with AD/HD. Doctors who understand this are more likely to be willing to prescribe Adderall or Dexedrine if you are honest with them.
• Sometimes, it's only after someone experiences an a-typical reaction to an illegal drug that they are correctly diagnosed with AD/HD. If you have used a "street" stimulant such as Cocaine and experience a calming effect rather than the euphoria your friends describe, there's a good possibility you could have AD/HD and I'd recommend contacting a doctor or therapist for an evaluation

• I have used amphetamines for over 20 years am 42 and look 25, and have nothing but good results no criminal record no b.s Adults should be allowed to use meds they know are benificial to them !!! We are not all a bunch of mindless sheep!! nuff said

• It has been proven that people with ADD, Bipolar, and other mental dissorders try to self medicate with such street drugs as Crystal Methamphetamines, etc. I'm 21 and did this myself for 3 years, but I definately don't reccomend it, for it will only cause other problems. This is why there are medications for such use since it does work on certain patients. Like Adderall contains the main ingredient: Amphetamines- While the street drug has many household poisons added to it. But just because you've used drugs in the past doesn't mean you can't get the proper treatment. Make sure to be honest with your Dr. because you were probably self mediacating without your own knowledge. -Amber

• My husband's Dr. knew he had substance abuse on his record and first she gave him strattera, and it didn't work so she went on to amphetamines. Tell your Dr. that you know his/her concern and explain to him/her that is why you tried to self medicate. Tell your dr. to prescribe a time released medication like Adderall XR or concerta first, so you can determine their efficacy. These drugs are difficult to abuse unless you know the process in which they are derived. If you do have Amphetamine abuse on your record and you know in your heart that you will end up abusing ADD medication if given the opportunity... maybe you should think about trying something else BEFORE you try the amphetamines. There are drugs like wellbutrin, strattera, and effexor that treat ADD w/o the use of any form of amphetamine.

ALSO-- If you are a college student who gets stuff finished on time with the aid of amphetamine... BE CAREFUL. You may wind up with your degree and something else, a habit. It is not fun to be addicted to any substance. You may think you can deel with it now that your young and on top of the world, but think about ten or twenty years down the road. You will end up putting everything second before you give up an addiction. Your skin, your teeth, your family, your spouse, your carreer, and finally your life.

watch the movie Spin. if you have ADD, you will not feel like that when you take NORMAL* doses of adderall, ritalin, concerta, or dextro-what-have-you. You will feel CALM, capable, motivated.

• normal doses if you have never taken amphetamine

Adderall -- 5-10 mg three times daily or up to a 30mg (once daily if extended release)

• Adderall is NOT a class 3 medication! It is a schedule II drug. Which means In the United States of America, the Controlled Substances Act defines Schedule II drugs as having:

high potential for abuse a recognized medical use high incidence of physical or psychological dependence These are available only by prescription, and distribution is carefully controlled and monitored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The prescriptions themselves are also subject to special requirements of codified federal law or administrative regulations:

Prescriptions cannot be given over the phone; they must be given during a patient's actual visit to a physician. (A special procedure is provided for dispensing small quantities in medical emergencies, with its own set of reporting requirements consistent with the normal Schedule II process.) Computer-printed prescriptions cannot be used for Schedule II medications. Prescriptions must either be handwritten or typed, and must be signed by the physician. Prescriptions must be presented for filling within 72 hours of issuance. If a prescription is filled by mail, as many health insurance plans now encourage or require, the envelope must be postmarked within the allowed time. Prescriptions for Schedule II medications cannot be refilled. Adderall is a Schedule II medication. NOT CLASS 3. That is important to give factual information when refering to medication. You can still get Adderall even if you may have tried to self medicate in the past. There are several reasons people try to self medicate. Not just abuse.

The hype about Adderall is silly. If you take this medication as prescribed it's a good one. But just because you may have self medicated prior to taking it doesn't mean it wont' work or it isn't a good med for you. Most people think it's just like a street form of amphetamines. ITS NOT. It's mixed salts, the more recreational form of amphetamines would be D-amphetamines So if you were to actually look into what Adderall consists of.. it's 2 D amphetamines. and 2 L amphetamines it's broken down like this

Dextro-amphetamine Saccharate- 2.5 mg; Dextro-amphetamine Sulfate(USP)- 2.5 mg; Racemic-amphetamine Aspartate- 2.5 mg; Racemic-amphetamine Sulfate- 2.5 mg

I take 30mg Adderall XR 3 times daily. It's not a "high" it's a useful medication. Not the same amphetamine as street drugs. That word is loosely thrown around and confused with something it doesn't even compare to. Adderall is effective for those who use it effectively.

• I will add this.. there is NO NORMAL DOSE. it's whatever you and your doctor feel is right for you. That 10-15 mg for someone who has never taken amphetamimnes is not true. There are MUCH higher doses out there. Even for those not having taken a stimulant before.... lets stop giving out the wrong info. The suggested dose is ONLY a reccommended dose. It's not written in stone. Your doctor can determine what is good... and that comes with YOUR help.

if you do have adhd. you do need meds then. if you abuse drugs let your doctor know. tell them you have a problem and ask for an extended release med. there is a new drug that came out in july 07 and it is a pro-stimulant you can not abuse it. you can not snort or inject it you will loose 70% to 85% effect. it needs to get into your stomach and through your liver to even function. it is called vyvanse. if you do have adhd then adhd meds will calm you down and you will loose all hyperness and be able to focus. if you take amphetamines and it makes you hyper you may not have adhd. and be able to function like a human. all stimulants are a schedule II by the DEA.

Adderall IS amphetamine, the exact same chemical once it hits your blood stream as old fashioned 'speed'. Speed wasn't quite as terrible for everyone as it's reputation suggests, but Adderal is certainly much more dangerous than most people think.

Vyvanse is activated in the blood stream as well as by the liver. Contrary to prior marketing materials, Shire now admits that it does have abuse potential when snorted or injected. Also, it is schedule II and it has always been considered to have abuse potential when taken by mouth.

Med responses can not be used to make a diagnosis of ADHD. People without ADHD often love amphetamines to help them stay up driving a truck or cramming for a test they didn't prepare for responsibly. Still, the comment above is well-taken: if you don't have the expected benefit, question the diagnosis.

First answer by ID1110804594. Last edit by Discussabm. Contributor trust: 10 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 313 [recommend question]