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A post about substituting "street drugs"? (discuss.online)

submitted 1 month ago by DelightfullyDivisive@discuss.online to c/adhd@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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I came across a post on Reddit where a commenter implied they were using non-prescription drugs to manage their ADHD when they couldn't get a stimulant prescription for whatever reason.

Nobody would name the drug(s) for fear of being banned. From context it seemed some people were talking about a stimulant, and others marijuana. What might the stimulant be? Meth? If so, how would you dose that, and would it actually work?

I'm just curious, not intending to try it myself. I can get a prescription easily enough, and I have no desire to put myself in legal jeopardy. I am wondering if the meth version of amphetamine would work better, about the same, or not as well, though. I don't know the effects first-hand, but if it's anything like cocaine (I was an adult in the late 80s when coke was more popular), it doesn't seem like it would be helpful.

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[–] SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world 30 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The short story is that the difference is mostly one of dosage and metabolism. While there are some subtle differences between methamphetamines and amphetamines, see pharmacology section, they have nearly identical effects on most people.

The big difference between recreational and medicinal usage is dosage and duration. A lot of the pharmacology around ADHD medication is in trying to get a slow and steady release either via binders and packaging (IE Adderall XR) and/or prodrugs/salts (IE lisdexamphetamine aka Vyvanse).

Street drugs on the other hand usually don't have the same level of quality control which makes dosing difficult and aren't intended for the same level of consistency.

Someone could microdose meth and get similar results to a real shitty Adderall generic but it comes with a lot of risks and is generally not recommended.

[–] DelightfullyDivisive@discuss.online 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Based on all of the comments here, I'm pretty sure they were talking about meth. I never knew that it was actually sold as an ADHD med.

I guess that explains why the Reddit mods ban discussion of it, though. People can be so desperate for a "cure" that they'd risk it. I know what an idiot I was about drugs when I was a teen and early twenty-something.

[–] SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"Street drugs" exists due to individuals not having access to proper medical care, including and especially mental health, and being forced to self-medicate.

[–] DelightfullyDivisive@discuss.online 7 points 1 month ago

That is an interesting and I think very valid point.

Many people here in the US have absorbed decades of messaging from various war on drugs campaigns that imply anything not manufactured by a drug company his toxic. There's also been a lot of messaging that self-medicating is only for losers. I think there is a large grain of truth around the concept of self-medicating, but the stigma attached to mental health issues makes it difficult for a lot of people to seek out the help they need.