ADHD medication - does it help?
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Hi - I’m wondering if anyone on here has experience of their loved one receiving an ADHD formal diagnosis and then taking medication for it?
My son (23y) was meant to have been referred by his GP to a private practice for formal assessment for ADHD and Autism under the NHS Right To Choose Pathway. That was in March - we have followed up with the private practise & they've not received the referral 🤦♀️ so we are currently chasing the GP up.
My questions are:
- is it worthwhile switching to just paying and going to same private practise but under the private route? We could probably pay that fee but it’s then the ongoing cost of paying for the private prescription.
- has anyone had a positive experience of the medication really helping with addiction/consumption habits itself? I ask this - as we can see when our loved one does things (not even doing drugs - he hasn’t done anything for months) he tends to not have an ‘off/I’m full-up’ button - so for example - he will over eat (huge portion size) or have too many drinks or chocolate or crisps etc.
This last one probably sounds like a crazy question!
Anyone else gone through similar experience?
thanks 🙏
My son (23y) was meant to have been referred by his GP to a private practice for formal assessment for ADHD and Autism under the NHS Right To Choose Pathway. That was in March - we have followed up with the private practise & they've not received the referral 🤦♀️ so we are currently chasing the GP up.
My questions are:
- is it worthwhile switching to just paying and going to same private practise but under the private route? We could probably pay that fee but it’s then the ongoing cost of paying for the private prescription.
- has anyone had a positive experience of the medication really helping with addiction/consumption habits itself? I ask this - as we can see when our loved one does things (not even doing drugs - he hasn’t done anything for months) he tends to not have an ‘off/I’m full-up’ button - so for example - he will over eat (huge portion size) or have too many drinks or chocolate or crisps etc.
This last one probably sounds like a crazy question!
Anyone else gone through similar experience?
thanks 🙏
2 reactions
12 replies
Somebody supporting another with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin addictions
Hi bel
My middle son was on adhd medication but he chooses not to take it as he didn't like not bring himself.
He felt numb( he's not in addiction of any kind though and never has been.)
But my eldest daughter is a nurse who has adhd and has her appointment next week regarding medication.
She has waited 2 years to get this appointment after her assessment last year, 1 year waiting for assessment and another for an appointment regarding medication.
There are so many adults on the waiting list .
Sorry I can't answer your questions but i would go private if I had the choice.
My middle son was on adhd medication but he chooses not to take it as he didn't like not bring himself.
He felt numb( he's not in addiction of any kind though and never has been.)
But my eldest daughter is a nurse who has adhd and has her appointment next week regarding medication.
She has waited 2 years to get this appointment after her assessment last year, 1 year waiting for assessment and another for an appointment regarding medication.
There are so many adults on the waiting list .
Sorry I can't answer your questions but i would go private if I had the choice.
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thank you 🙏 yes my gut is telling me we probably should try & go private as it’s sooooo long to wait. I hope 🤞 your daughter gets the support / medication next week x
Somebody supporting another with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin addictions
Thank you bel.
It might depend where you live etc on times of waiting.
We are in widnes nearest city is Liverpool.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hopefully you will get some answers off others in this community xx
It might depend where you live etc on times of waiting.
We are in widnes nearest city is Liverpool.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hopefully you will get some answers off others in this community xx
Somebody supporting another with alcohol addiction
I have 3 daughters who have all been diagnosed privately. It was expensive and initially we needed to pay for private prescriptions, but our GP entered a ‘shared care’ agreement with the private psychiatrist and they can now prescribe. I’d speak to your GP to see if they would accept shared care. Our practice has changed their policy and no longer accepts shared care, but have agreed to continue for our family, which is a relief.
My eldest daughter had alcohol issues but is sober now on meds. My mum ddle daughter struggles to concentrate or get out of bed without meds, and my youngest (also has ASD) and is taking a break as she has left college due to burnout, and believes meds increase anxiety.
My eldest daughter had alcohol issues but is sober now on meds. My mum ddle daughter struggles to concentrate or get out of bed without meds, and my youngest (also has ASD) and is taking a break as she has left college due to burnout, and believes meds increase anxiety.
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thank you 🙏 thats v helpful x
Can I ask is a shared care agreement different to going down the Right to Choose pathway route?
And do you think your eldest daughter is sober now due to the meds or is it a combination of meds plus some other factors?
Sorry for all the questions!
x
Can I ask is a shared care agreement different to going down the Right to Choose pathway route?
And do you think your eldest daughter is sober now due to the meds or is it a combination of meds plus some other factors?
Sorry for all the questions!
x
Somebody supporting another with alcohol addiction
Shared care is different to right to choose. It just means that once established on meds the Gp can take over the prescribing so you only pay NhS prescription charges. We were told it should take 3 months to establish the correct dose of ADHD meds, but it took 9 so it was an expensive year.
I do believe the ADHD meds were a significant factor in giving up alcohol, but not just for the reasons you’d think. She actually drank when she first started stimulant meds and had a psychotic break. The consequences were massive 😢
I do believe the ADHD meds were a significant factor in giving up alcohol, but not just for the reasons you’d think. She actually drank when she first started stimulant meds and had a psychotic break. The consequences were massive 😢
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Thank you so much - it is so helpful to learn from others who have been through this journey.
I am just so sorry you and your daughter had such a difficult time going through this 😢 . I hope she is doing well now 😘
Thank you again, so much - I really appreciate this xx
I am just so sorry you and your daughter had such a difficult time going through this 😢 . I hope she is doing well now 😘
Thank you again, so much - I really appreciate this xx
Somebody supporting another with alcohol addiction
Hi Bel,
My daughter is doing AMAZINGLY!
She is currently living overseas and having a great time. She has a job, a stable relationship and a new circle of friends.
It’s a new chapter.
Take care and good luck xx
My daughter is doing AMAZINGLY!
She is currently living overseas and having a great time. She has a job, a stable relationship and a new circle of friends.
It’s a new chapter.
Take care and good luck xx
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Oh thats so good hear - inspirational! Gives me hope x
Somebody supporting another with cannabis and ketamine addictions
My son was diagnosed with ADHD 7 years ago, never been on medication for it, he turned to drugs. Therefore any medication for adhd put of the question whilst using. A referral was done to adult services some years ago, we were told there was a huge wait, and typically never heard anything. He now has an addiction and I can't cope no more, despite trying everything, which is why I'm here on this group, to see if by speaking with others in similar situations may help. Nobody can afford to pay privately, but if I could I would
Somebody supporting another with alcohol and cocaine addictions
Im so sorry to hear that Summer. Its so frustrating and heartbreaking 😢
I am trying to follow up on what Kets said on this thread re shared care agreements in respect of ADHD treatment.
Happy to connect if you want to chat x
I am trying to follow up on what Kets said on this thread re shared care agreements in respect of ADHD treatment.
Happy to connect if you want to chat x
Somebody supporting another with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, and gambling addictions
Hi Summer. I am in the same boat at you my partner of 3 years has always dealt with ADHD and has been waiting for meds for over a year everytime he contacts the GP they say there is nothing they can do and just keep trying to give him mood stabilizers which so far he had tried 3. He is currently trying Sertizline however he feel they are a stimulant and although they help him get through work when he gets home the adrenaline is still there and he cannot relax. He then turns to drugs and drink and has done for many hears a his “coping mechanism” however the mix of everything now spurs on an angry side to him and frustration and it’s just all getting too much to handle. Last week we had to call an ambulance out as he has recently had a impactful car accident (which has not helped with any circumstances) He feels the ADHD medication will help however I have heard many stories that some people do not agree with it (this even came from one of the medics who came out and spoke with him) and if this is the case, then what do you do??