My friend's 40 yr old son, currently on adderol for ADHD, also smokes marijuana. I've heard that many alcoholics were probably ADHD and (unknowingly) self-medicated with alcohol I don't remember the science explaining the effects on the brain, but I wonder whether this marijuana use falls in the same category?
Q: Do people turn to marijuana to self-medicate the way they've used alcohol?
Answers (10)
4/ 2/09 3:40am
Marijuana is not very similar to any drug used for treating ADHD. The closest street drug would be a stimulant, like cocaine, but clearly, a cocaine addiction is much worse than suffering from the symptoms of ADHD. (Yet many ADHD patients have confessed to turning to illegal stimulant drugs and not feeling 'high' off them). Most ADHD drugs are stimulants, but marijuana is not usually categorized as a stimulant in scientific communities but a depressant, even though it can have short-term effects that resemble those of a stimulant for some people.
One big problem with marijuana and ADHD is that it brings about lack of motivation, which can be a big problem with someone who suffers from ADHD. Why make it worse? Another problem is that marijuana has negative effects on memory--another problem that an ADHD sufferer doesn't need to aggravate!
The list goes on.
Part of me wishes there could be a cheap alternative to medication for those without health insurance, but no street drug that I have ever researched is likely to help.
9/16/09 12:48am
"I know many people who smoke (marijuana) and function very normally." This may be true, but for how long? Long term marijuana use can have profound detrimental effects physiologically, psychologically, financially and certainly can impact one's ability to relate positively to others. No, I'm no M.D. But I am a former marijuana consumer (aka addict) who also was diagnosed with "hyperactive disorder" as a child. So, for some people who have a history of ADHD, marijuana may seem like a viable "solution", but it creates many more problems than it solves....at least it did for me.
4/ 2/09 6:51am
thank-you for your response.
my very subjective comments...I read it to an AA member who said, "it doesn't matter how you got in the ditch! how will you get out". I thought of reading it to my friend, mother of person in question, and knew she wouldn't get the part about some ADHD people having a different experience (not feeling high) to street stimulants. ...this person's marriage is in huge trouble and he's basically bankrupt (financially) so he's in emergency mode. While they deal with the immediate chaos, I want to know the science that draws him to this behavior, ie. use of marijuana. Can't help wondering if his adderol isn't doing the trick.
As a youngster, his impulsive nature was described as an auditory-memory problem
thank-you for the information. Please expand if you think of more.
Mary
4/ 2/09 9:21pm
Mary,
As someone who has recently been diagnosed with adult ADD I can tell you that I used marijuana to self medicate. I was not on anything for the ADD at the time though. I used alot during my life and always thought the problem in my life was that I was drug addicted. I stopped everything and limited my pot use to the evenings. I finally got tested and my dr. said the pot, unlike other drugs, allowed or gave me some kind of permission in my mind to not do anything. being stoned was the one part of the day i didnt worry about the wheels spinning. I've been on concerta w methyline now for six weeks and have not touched pot since nor do I want to. I am 43 yrs old so maybe hes on the wrong medicine or just developed a habit. For some its like giving up cigarettes. I was not a drinker.
5/14/09 3:47pm
I am 29 I also use pot to self medicate I have recently thought about Quiting but can not afford meds so I still smoke I can not go sober b/c I get irratated easily I have a temper and with 3 kids I have to stay calm.It does help do that yes I have a horrible memory and no motivation but that I can deal with.Im affraid if I were sober and had no meds I might be a B;"?ch and that could cause me to lose my hubby kids everything.
5/20/09 5:26am
Hi, I would like to address my counter to this.
All my life I have been on one form of Ritalin or another and responded greatly until other unneccessary medications were perscribed that some how negated the effects of ritalin. I never felt the effects of adhd...until weed. I am 19 years old and just started using pot this last semester. My reaction is unlike anything ive ever experienced. I could see better, started working out like a machine, have greater cognitive periphreals, enhanced memory, better awareness of myself and my surroundings, and all my senses are super hightened. My focus is phenomenal. It was then that I discovered the true disability of my condition. I realized this was the way everyone else saw their world. Finally I could function normal.
This phenomenon interested me, and being a molecular bio student, I decided to look up if my theories are indeed correct. Turns out, I was right. Stimulants inhibit the dopaminergic take up. Being that ADHD is suspected to be the cause of having 70% more dopamine transporters and therefore leaving us with only 30% of the normal amount of free dopamine in the brain, the following has been concluded:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain, associated with a pleasure output of a sensory imput. Dopamine's job is to control neurons that control the amount of input from sensory that is let in. THC9 in pot activates the cannibinoid receptors in the brain that creates the production of free dopamine in the brain.
In lameman's terms that means that stimulants keep free dopamine in the brain to accumulate to a normal standard, weed adds the normal amount**. They both get the same job done, just use different methods. The Dopaminergic system is like a Dam. The upstream water is our inputs, our dam is the processor (in our case broken processor) that decides how much output to produce. Our output is a constant flow. We have no time to sift through the thoughts.
I have set up an appointment with a neuropyschiatric doctor to give adderal another shot and see if it has the same effects. If not, I do believe from experience that pot has the same capabilities or better in the increase of focus.
**Hitting light hits of weed has been shown in this study to medicate the codition. A hit lighter than one would take to get "high". However, if too much TCH is present, then dopamine levels will surpass normal levels and you will end up just as high and suffering the same effects (memory, lethargy, ect) as the next guy. Basically there are 2 types of adhd people who smoke: those who use small amounts for medication, and those who are using it for illicit drug purposes.
5/20/09 5:40am
God...its like I was operating at 1/4 capacity before. My vision becomes eagle like comparatively, My memories are like living every detail and sensation over agan. My peripheral cognition is huge! I am fully aware of my surroundings now. Every input can now be focused together in my mind. Every sound, sight, memory, smell, and touch is all combined to paint a portrait of my surroundings constantly. Its almost like living in 3rd person out of body style. The quality, quanity, and depth of my thoughts increased. I have better understanding of foriegn concepts. My sense of touch becomes so focused with the rest of my brain that i can "see" as clear as day...all with touch. My memory is picture perfect. My pain threshold increased.
I never could have imagined the capacities to live normal. I feel like my iq jumps 30 points up, all when under the influence of pot.
10/ 1/09 1:32pm
I am a 43 year old male. I have struggled for most of my life not knowing that I had A.D.D. (I am not hyperactive) and I have dyscaluculia with minor dyslexia. I had never ever liked or had been around drugs. I had stayed clear of all "temptations". I barely got through school with C's and only a handful of B's and if I was lucky maybe an A. My relationships suffered. I couldn't hold a job. And I had really tried twice to go to college but to no avail. I was always anxiety driven and eventually depressed. I went to go see several "free" therapists, that had tried to get into my brain and examine WHY I was the way I was. They couldn't find anything to blame it on. Until my 2nd attempt at college when a counselor wanted me to get tested. Lo and behold, I was told I was A.D.D. and I had dyscalculia with some Dyslexia! During that time in my life my girlfriend and I found out we were pregnant. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish my studies and get the help I needed with the school therapist because I had to find another job to help support my wife's Law School, and take care of my son.
That relationship didn't work and I found myself 30 years old, divorced, severly in debt, and moving in with my mother. It was (again) a BAD situation for me.
So there I was, trying again to make sense of my crazy decisions and life. Somehow I got the courage to follow my dream and move to Los Angeles and be an actor or do something within the film and TV industry. At that time, I had found a new girlfriend that wanted to do the same. She only lasted 6 months before she got frustrated with her life and with me. Eventually, I found jobs as a Production Assistant, and slightly moved up the ladder working on some great shows. By this time, I had tried some Prescrition drugs like Buspar, Xanax, Serazone, and eventually Lexapro. I had also learned how to figure out how bad my A.D.D. was...if I couldn't sit down to read, or even watch TV it was BAD. I was always figity too. My brain was on Warp drive 12! Despite a new therapist and these anti anxiety drugs nothing really worked and I gave up on pills in general. UNTIL, my friend gave me this special Tea. I had been experiencing a really bad headache. My friend said he would prepare his special tea and without really knowing what was in the tea I took it. Without 45 minutes to an hour, I found myself extremely relaxed. My headache was gone. I was in a better mood. I left to the restroom and while there I picked up a magazine they had laying on the tank. I began to read it....and read...and read...and read. Half and hour later, my wife is calling out my name. She found me. She asked me what was I up to in the restroom and I told her "baby, I am reading!" She couldn't believe it. Yes, something so easy for some, is a really hard for me to do. When I came out of my cave, I asked my friend about the tea. He said "It's Medical Cannibus Tea!" WOW! I couldn't believe it! This prompted me to chat with my Doctor about this. Now that I was going to attempt my 3rd time at College we decided to try (now that I had better medical insurance) Adderall. The Adderall worked, but NOT good enough. Then we slid over to Ritalin. That seemed to work well for school, but it really zombied me out. I was always a bit clammy, but I was getting my work done. Still, it wasn't where I needed to be. People were always asking me if I was okay or if I was angry. Unfortunately, these drugs can make you feel this way. Sometimes on the way down from the drug you can feel it...not good. So, I asked my friend for some of his tea. Again, it worked!
Eventually, I went to get my recommendation for Medical Cannibus, and made legal to carry, smoke and ingest medical Canni. I began experimenting with it only on the weekends. I found that it provided better focusing than some of the other drugs I had taken for my A.D.D. and that I was not Zombied out. I wasn't really getting "high"...just enough to focus. I found that Sativa's mixed with Indica's really worked better. Then instead of taking my nightime "booster" of Ritalin, I would take one hit...that's it. And that worked better than taking another dose of Ritalin. Finally, I realized that while the Ritalin was okay, when I combined a lower dosage of Ritalin with only one hit of Medical Cani, I was at my best.
I am now on the Dean's List at a Major University, I have a grade point average of 4.0 and I only have about a semester and a half to get my degree in Animation. I have produced shows for cable and I have since remarried to an amazing woman. I am out of debt and I live in Beverly Hills! Honestly, I live a faireytale life! I still meter myself and my intake of ANY of the drugs I take for A.D.D.. There are times when I wish I didn't have to take anything. But, I'm not wired that way.
I DO NOT think that Medical Cani is for everyone. I think it should be treated as any other drug on the market. It should be monitored. In the case of some reports, it may exacerbate and amplify any problems and/or conditions you already have.Sometimes your issues might be beyond A.D.D.---as in the case of any co-morbid issues.
My Psychologist and Psychiatrist BOTH agree that I am not at risk for any addictions of any sort. They are always monitoring my intake and all around mental well being. They have seen the improvements in my life and how I am contributing to the life of others.
Medical Marijuana is NOT for everyone. But, for those like myself, it is a blessing.
These are just my thoughts based on my own experiences in the world of A.D.D..
Hope this helps some of you out
DSB
3/19/10 1:09pm
alcohol and marijuana don't have the same effect hardly at all, and i don't know if you've ever smoked marijuana before, but it seems as though you may have not? it's all dependent upon the brain's chemistry, but even then, it's INCREDIBLY RARE that smoking and alcoholism could replace one another. smoking marijuana and using adderall is very common and is also prescribed by doctors where i live. yes, doctors prescribing adderall also prescribing marijuana.. crazy times we live in? it's not a huge deal and it's not unsafe unless the person in question has some psychological or serious health issues and needs to not be looked at so negatively. it's a plant. what more can i say to convince you that he's not to be related to an alcoholic because he smokes!?
4/ 6/10 5:26pm
THC and their effects on humans are the least scientificly understood medicines available today.
Correct doasing can take weeks months years to achieve.
I've been smoking off and on for 5 years and it has always been very comforting yet I would have the emotional upset when I was out or with family and couldn't smoke or whatever. Now I medicate more regularly and get way more done.
I don't have the voice inside telling me your stupid you screwed up again, Again? I can't believe you did that again. You get the point. I get way more done when not listening to that.
If it don't work for ya don't smoke it dummy.
It works for me so go judge a criminal.
I'm a patient.
8/12/10 1:40pm
Good Afternoon all! Interesting discussion - I have a couple of thoughts to toss in..
Firstly, my background, I'm a 44 year old male who at 38 discovered that I had (to my surprise) an IQ in the 160 range and at 40, that I had ADHD (mixed type, level 10). I've smoked cigarettes and pot since I was 15 or so.
I've been under the impression that our ADHD minds work differently from most in that caffiene and other stimulants can have an opposite effect than that of 'normal' folk. The RItalin SD I take daily is an amphetamine that results in my being calmer and more focused - not twitchy and 'out there'.
I've discovered (through meditation and reflection) that I smoke pot for a mental vacation. With the high IQ and ADHD, I'm thinking all the time. Right now I have 35 tabs open on my browser. I'm actively reading 5 books, I run my own consulting business and 2 shops at home, one in the basement for electronics and one in the garage for metalworking.
I'm go go go go all the friggin time - dawn to dusk.
Ritalin enables me to focus on one thing at a time.
Pot lets me 'just be' without the constant doing.
Now the downside: I compulsively smoke when I have it. I get it (mail order in Canada) and outside of working hours I'm high. This bothers me to the extent that I find myself in a cycle where I buy, get guilt, quit (flushing whatever I have), and then weeks later purchase again.
Rinse, repeat.
I've woken up to this being an addiction (after hearing for years pot wasn't addictive) and am working through it but there will still be a need in me to have the 'just be' time for winding down/tuning out of the constant intellectual energy I live with. I'm going on a Ritalin sabbatical for several months (as well as forgoing coffee and cigarettes) and doing active, ongoing detox to get some kind of baseline on myself sans all of these poisons in my system.
Meditation is my new pot - tough to narrow the focus to the breath but getting easier.
God bless eh?
- Eric
3/19/12 1:51pm
Hi, I was searching through websites and came across your post. So many things in these posts sounds like me. I have ADHD and pot always made me feel "normal", focused and motivated. The little bit, like a pinch hit, just made me "right". I could tell the second it hit me. Well, I live in a state where it's not legal for medical or anything and I got busted. So now I can't go near it for awhile and seeking medication again.
My question for you is do you know of any prescribed medications that work like pot does?
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Are you a doctor? Marijuana does not always bring about lack of self motivation. I smoke pot when I am super stressed and can function better on the household things I have to get done. Marijuana works for me the way speed works for other people, especially when they start cleaning. I'm not saying I'm a lazy house keeper. I clean everyday, but there are times when I do not do the deep down clean that needs to be done. If I am high I feel like I need to be doing something so I do not just sit around. That is your opinion about laziness and lack of self motivation when it comes to individuals with ADHD and pot. People who are lazy sometimes have a problem with depression or straight up procrastionation, it does not have anything to do wit being high. They get high to escape everyday reality. I know many people who smoke and function very normally.