Why I take breaks from ADHD medication

I have been unable to find studies on medication breaks and on long-term stimulant usage. Questions of tolerance have gone largely unanswered in the scientific literature as far as I can tell. If anyone has concrete information on this topic, please let me know.

[kdw]

I am in my late 40s and while I suspected I had ADHD my entire life, I never got a diagnosis or was treated for it. I finally asked my doctor about treatments and 8 months ago after answering a questionnaire I was prescribed amphetamine salts. What I notice the most is that I don't feel emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of the day. I don't feel like it cured me, but I feel like it made me noticeably more productive. After 8 months of taking extended release capsules daily, when I take a few days off I don't feel bad, I just go back to being tired and less motivated and overwhelmed by things a normal person wouldn't be. I have a tremendous amount of stress in my life the past couple years after losing my mom and my dad having long COVID, which means I have had to take over our family business, so I wonder if burnout or depression may also be making things worse, but I don't really feel depressed. Just like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

[caitlincassandra]

I have a head cold and no work to get done today so didn't take my Vyvanse. My Mum keeps telling me I need to take it every single day as my brother does but I'm 26 so I figure that if my gut says I will rest and recover better without it, I'm going to just not take it. Glad I'm not the only one who believes not taking it every now and again is fine.

[vsimoul]

I was (officially) diagnosed with ADHD as an adult a few years ago and methylphenidate worked like a brain switch for me! This summer though, I decided I wanted to take a 2 week break to see how it would feel to be drug free and maybe have a couple of beers during my vacation. After consultation with my doctor I started gradually decreasing my intake for a couple of weeks before the two week break until I stopped it completely.
I am now close to the end of the drug-free holiday and one thing I have noticed is that the mechanisms I had developed over the years to cope with adhd have dulled (since I don't need to rely on them while on methylphenidate). Something I gained from the experience, was confidence that the drugs work, which I should know by now, but I let myself doubt my own experience because of the opinions of other people.
All in all, I think that it was a good reality check for me, especially since I timed it to happen during a leave from work.
I am writing this comment because I too didn't find much information about going off medicines in adhd, so I thought I'd share my experience here.

[miguelpeña-dk]

I just recently got medicated and have become so aware of that paranoia you’re talking about. I thought I was pretty good at reading social situations before I started taking my meds, but now I feel so much clearer. I appreciate this video! I really appreciate your delivery & it makes me feel great to know I’m not the only one. Thank you

[buffalosolider]

A non infinite renewable resource, for me it’s whether I’m going to sleep eat exercise better that day with it or with out it. I can still function just albeit not as smooth.

[grasshopper]

Thanks for the thoughtful video. How do manage the fatigue on off days? I’m a total zombie.

[Yomommalinkmugen]

I was recently diagnosed and started taking meds about 5 months ago. the prescribing doctor instructed me to take breaks on my off days from work. When I informed my family doctor that I had started taking ADHD meds and that the prescribing doctor had indeed told me to take breaks, he stated that in his experience taking breaks can lead to substance abuse and he advised against it. Not sure who to listen to, I searched online extensively only to come to the same conclusion as you. its nice to know that I'm not alone.

[Turglayfopa]

I'm for breaks for the sake of managing the amount of meds available and being used to not situations when its not available.

I agree with Barkley in ADHD being a performance disorder, or reduced ability to use what you know. My first day off med is very nice especially with coffee, but after that its a big drop in energy and ability in stopping and starting activities.

I think on and off should be treated as 100% functioning vs. 50% or less functioning. So you just do more of the high priority stuff on the meds and accept that off med you do more pysical things like clean the living space, go outside, or exercise. If brain can't do the higher functions then return to monke until it can.

[SpaceBalls_TheYouTubeName]

This so great. Thank you! The part on learning from your different frames of mind is so important.

[ohyeahyeah]

It really helps to hear your thoughts on it, it allows me to better understand my own thought. :)

[kennikater]

I found out that these days off are also important for me because they make me remember why I even take medication. When I'm on medication things get so much easier in many ways and my brain quickly accepts that as normal. Sometimes I get the imposter syndrome, but whenever I take a break and my ADHD fully kicks in, I remember why I'm taking it in the first place 😂

[toxictime]

Great video! I think I am quite similar in my ADHD expression in many ways as u, so it’s quite nice to hear from this perspective

[nathanmccann]

I've also been doing research on this topic. Russell Barkley is fantastic if you can find information from him.

My Psychiatrist instructed me taking breaks were necessary, for a day or so, as it is a stimulant, and you can build tolerance and dependence if no breaks are taken. Similar to consistent caffiene drinking for example.

I personally study and work in a lab, so I need to think on "days off". The days off that I do have for medication are tough.

Youre doing well to be prepared, keep up the good work

[benrigby]

Yo, thanks man! It's really helpful to hear such an honest, measured account. The exact thing I needed today, fantastic. <3

[drewsharps]

I really resonated with the way you delivered this information, keep up the great work! I subscribed to your channel so I can get scoop up all the information and hopefully provide value for you one day. Thank you for the knowledge.

[timeingram]

It's frustrating how uninterested the industry is about this.

[-AnonymousUser]

I agree with this. Been on it for most of my life.

[joshuafuryon]

Hi, there is a brilliant Australian adhd specialist does a deep dive on taking breaks, sry cant remember name, also serotonin and ssri's suppress dopamine, taking a break from stims allows homeostasis, your mind needs to relax for other functions to balance, like creativity etc most adhd meds will build up a physiological anxiety in the body, Tolvon is very effective at helping with anxiety and mood, from my own personal experience, though i took 2 years to figure out how and when to take, 1 -3 days a week max or makes me depressed, 3 - 4 days for stims or i get over anxious and hyper focus on too much stuff, but i have whats called the ring of fire ADHD?! on your break days plan to just do stuff where you wont feel anxious, like new social gatherings etc...getting out for walks is super important too

[k-rock]

Thank you very much for sharing. This video definitely gave me a lot of insight. 😊

[sophiestanza]

I’ve been 2 weeks off mu ADHD meds and its been a struggle to regulate my moods + focus with work. However it’s nice to have normal appetite again and I think my sleep is better. I’m a little nervous to start taking them again though because they give me the urge to smoke and I haven’t smoked at all the past 2 weeks and would like it to stay that way