This report is characteristic of underinformed misuse of drugs in ways that are ultimately counterproductive.
Medically prescribed stimulants should be taken as prescribed, not as a pill you pop for extra motivation when you don’t feel like working. Taking them in response to a need to work creates an almost Pavlovian craving for the pills in response to work, while also causing your own motivation to decay. Your brain learns to associate work with the pill. This scheme collapses as tolerance takes over and the motivation rush isn’t happening any more, leading to eventual discontinuation and often a long re-learning of how to work without that stimulant rush (that isn’t coming back). Common to find stories of people who feel like they lost years operating this way, thinking they were getting ahead.
When someone complains about stimulants giving too many side effects or excess energy (like this post) and then says they’re taking them as little as 1 day a week, that’s why. The dose prescribed is for daily use, which will allow the body to adjust to the medication.
Atomoxetine must be taken for a month or more for the ADHD effects to fully appear. Studies show improvements continue to accrue even 12 months out. Taking it briefly and expecting stimulant like effects (like this author) defeats the mechanism of the medication.
This is a very bad take on these medications, but I guess it really is indicative of how people try to misuse the drugs
Aurornis•6mo ago
Medically prescribed stimulants should be taken as prescribed, not as a pill you pop for extra motivation when you don’t feel like working. Taking them in response to a need to work creates an almost Pavlovian craving for the pills in response to work, while also causing your own motivation to decay. Your brain learns to associate work with the pill. This scheme collapses as tolerance takes over and the motivation rush isn’t happening any more, leading to eventual discontinuation and often a long re-learning of how to work without that stimulant rush (that isn’t coming back). Common to find stories of people who feel like they lost years operating this way, thinking they were getting ahead.
When someone complains about stimulants giving too many side effects or excess energy (like this post) and then says they’re taking them as little as 1 day a week, that’s why. The dose prescribed is for daily use, which will allow the body to adjust to the medication.
Atomoxetine must be taken for a month or more for the ADHD effects to fully appear. Studies show improvements continue to accrue even 12 months out. Taking it briefly and expecting stimulant like effects (like this author) defeats the mechanism of the medication.
This is a very bad take on these medications, but I guess it really is indicative of how people try to misuse the drugs