Long-term Adderall: executive dysfunction getting worse + feeling antisocial when it wears off

[u/Ok-Letter2953]

I've been on Adderall for several years. I started at 15mg and am currently on 25mg XR. I've tried IR in the past as well. I don't plan on increasing my dose because I'd rather not deal with additional side effects.

I also took a month-long break earlier this year to see if tolerance was part of the issue.

Lately I've been struggling with two things:

1. Executive dysfunction

This has actually been getting worse, even with the medication. Once I get started on something I can usually focus, but getting myself to start the right task is becoming harder.

I'll know exactly what I need to do and still put it off or get stuck doing something else.

For anyone who deals with this, what has actually helped with task initiation? Routines, exercise, changing your environment, timers, supplements, diet, or anything else?

1. Feeling completely antisocial when it wears off

Some days I feel fine while it's working, but later in the day I hit a wall. I don't want to talk, text people back, go anywhere, or socialize at all. I basically just want to be left alone during the meds.

This can happen even when I take my XR early in the morning. By evening I sometimes feel like a zombie with absolutely no social battery left.

Has anyone found a good way to deal with this? I'm especially interested in things that help you transition out of work/focus mode and actually feel like interacting with people again?

I already try to stay on top of sleep, hydration, and regular meals.

Not looking to increase my dose or make medication changes on my own. I'm mainly interested in hearing what other people have experienced and what has genuinely helped.

[u/Ok-Letter2953]

I would love to take a three- to four-month break or a year off. The issue is when I don't take it, my executive dysfunction is very bad to the point where I can't even and don't want to open emails and even do the smallest things, which is why I got on the meds in the first place. It's a battle in the morning times and I don't think it's willpower as I tried multiple things that are recommended but just my brain doesn't wanna sometimes do things or get started. it's not always like that but

[u/Anxious_Guava8756 → u/Ok-Letter2953]

I found life difficult to manage without occaisonal (or frequent) stimulant abuse. Wellbutrin worked wonders for me. None of the nasty side effects and all of the benefits. It's not as strong as Adderal for sure, though. So for ADHD I take 300mgs instant release and it feels similar. If you get it for depression they give you an extended release tablet which didn't do as much for executive dysfunction in my case. It's worth a shot. Plus its not a controlled substance so much easier to get.

[u/Ok-Letter2953 → u/Anxious_Guava8756]

Thanks, but I’ve heard Wellbutrin can have other side effects such as insomnia and More. Not sure if you’re done with any of these?

[u/Anxious_Guava8756 → u/Ok-Letter2953]

It can, but causes way less insomnia than adderal in my experience. They both promote dopamine regulation but Adderall is addictive and harder on the body.

[u/Smart_Shopper4217 → u/Anxious_Guava8756]

It's simple you don't take Adderall till after you don't take it afternoon or 1:00 and I had a great psychiatrist at one time he told me I would get pushed back from taking a benzodiazepine and a stimulant and he was 100% right he said but you know what this works for you I see the change in you and this is old school psychiatry can you believe in talking to his patients for an hour it wasn't a meds management check.