Adderall Poll
How sustainable is it to take Adderall during the week for years?
Has anyone been fine taking Adderall for 5-10+ in the industry?
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Based on the WSO Dataset, the use of Adderall in high-pressure industries like finance is a topic that comes up occasionally. However, it's important to note that the sustainability and effects of long-term Adderall use can vary greatly from person to person. Here are some key points to consider:
Dependency and Tolerance: Over time, individuals may develop a tolerance to Adderall, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to dependency.
Health Risks: Long-term use of Adderall without medical supervision can pose serious health risks, including cardiovascular issues, mental health problems, and potential for abuse.
Performance: While some may report short-term improvements in focus and productivity, the long-term effectiveness of Adderall for enhancing work performance is debatable. The body's increased tolerance and potential side effects can eventually counteract any initial benefits.
Alternatives: Many professionals find success in managing workload and maintaining focus through healthier alternatives, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and time management strategies.
Medical Advice: It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional regarding the use of Adderall, especially for long-term use. They can provide guidance based on individual health needs and potential risks.
In the context of the finance industry, where long hours and high stress are common, it's essential to prioritize sustainable methods for maintaining productivity and well-being.
Sources: The Good Zuck | The Daily Peel | 2/2/23, How do you stay sharp while working long hours, The All-Nighter Experiment: What Worked and What Didn't, IB/PE with ADHD?, Traders with ADHD
I’ve been taking it for 7-8 months (with other stuff) and it has become a necessity for me at this point during the harder times, which are inevitable/guaranteed. I am reliant on it due to anxiety/stress/expectations/pressure/depression/low self esteem/childhood and my goals.
I got promoted recently, which had a significant pay bump and opened a lot of doors for exit options, which I am about to take one, and I live in NYC, so I really needed this, and I don’t think I would’ve pulled thru without it.
Do I have problems? Yes. Do I have life regrets? Yes. Do I see an alternative? Am open for suggestions, but not sure..
I've been averaging ~3 days a week taking it for the past few years. It has it's ups and downs (literally). I can confidently say I'm further in my career by getting that kick a few days a week (I've been promoted several times pretty quickly as a result of my aggressive demeanor and ability to get things done. I'm capable of doing the same exact work without it, but my actual motivation to go that far without it is the difference), especially on days when I'd normally be on the lazier side. One real benefit for me is it makes me a much more decisive person. Without it, I tend to want to think and analyze things a million ways and change my decision over and over (which I think is a symptom of ADHD), but with it I move much quicker and don't dwell on my decisions. However, it also has it's negative impacts. If I take it 2 - 3 times in a week, the following days I'm not necessarily depressed, but I can definitely feel that I'm more pessimistic and less motivated. It also takes a lot of willpower to only use it sparingly. I do not have an addictive personality, but if I decide early in the week to give it a go (like Monday or Tuesday), it's really hard to not do it multiple times that week as the following days just feel flat and slow / boring without it.
I've also noticed my tolerance to dopamine activities has gotten worse since doing it. Once I'm on streaks of using it a few days a week, I notice I start eating more junk food, going to the gym less (days when I'm not on it), etc. I often go clean for a couple times a year for 4 - 6 week periods, and I think it takes me 2 - 3 weeks of being off it to really start feeling normal again. Again, I'm not saying my life is a mess those weeks or days I'm not on it, but there's a noticeable difference in my mood and general optimism.
And finally, I can still fall asleep on it, but I usually need some mix of weed / tons of melatonin, and while I still sleep through the night, I guarantee if I was wearing an Oura ring or some sleep tracker that it would be giving me red alerts that my sleep quality is getting crushed. Nothing I can really notice now but I'm sure is impacting my long term health. I hate the come down feeling of it (and I notice the come down is worse on Adderall than on Vyvanse). I tend to start feeling a "light" come down a couple hours after the peak, so I tend to just take little bits of it every couple hours throughout the day to keep feeling good. The problem is that it's tough to cut it off at 12pm or 2pm. If i do, then by 4pm I'm starting to get that sad feeling, so I usually take at least a tiny bit more in the afternoon which obviously makes it difficult to sleep sometimes.
With all that said, I still use it but have been slowly winding it back and I'm hoping in the next couple of years I just cut it completely once I'm a little further and more stabilized in my career.
This sounds so... melancholic. Thanks for sharing.
I have no idea how people take Adderall. For me, I get 4 hours of productivity then the rest of the day I'm on the comedown and feel like shit.
I probably should have early in my career but I didn’t and I don’t now.
In my experience from college, it was useful for when you have hours and hours of busy work that you simply need to grind out, but it wasn’t very useful when you actually have to use your brain and think about things strategically or creatively. I imagine it would be beneficial for hammering out models or PowerPoint slides for hours on end, but once you hit a certain level that’s not your day to day anymore.
If the question is whether people have survived taking it long-term... Yes, I know many who have taken it (or Ritalin), consistently for 10 or 20 years.
Whether you should, is a question for you to make, but there are many who take it on a regular basis. I would not take it beyond a prescribed dose, however.
From what I understand, the issue is more that in recent years, pharmacies have not been consistent about supply, and thus there is often a risk of being without it.
I can usually tell when someone is on it, as it tends to result in a certain set of clues that I happen to notice, but I have no real issue with it, if it helps you, etc.
I would be more comfortable with someone legally taking that during the work-day, rather than to do something else in the office.
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