Attention Decifit Disorder

[Rotorpower85]

Hello everyone. I have some questions as far as ADD goes, so I will give you the short version of my story and see if you have heard of similiar experences.

I am 20 years old and, as of yesterday, a graduate of a community college. About 6 months ago I was real serious about getting into the Indiana Air National Guard so I went through thier physical and took the ASVAB. The written test went fine, but on the physical they asked if I was taking any medication, and I was. I had been taking Adderall for about 2 years for Attention Decifit Disorder. At the time I did not know (nor did my AF recruiter tell me) that Adderall was an automatic disqualifier if not off of it for a year.

Skip ahead 2 months or so. I have decided the Air Force National Guard isnt really what I want to do. I have a friend who is joining the Marines for infantry, and I go speak with his recruiter and realize its something I want to do as well. I tell the recruiter about my problems with getting a clearance because of my medication and the fact that when I was about 10 years old I was diagnosed Attention Decifit. He tells me that I have to be off of the medication for a year and get re-evaluated by a doctor before I have the possiblity to enlist.

I have been off of the medication for about 2 months (ever since he told me to stop taking it). I am scheduled to start college again in the fall to work on my bachlors degree, but I still plan to enlist if I can.

So, my basic question here is: Has anyone here ever delt with this sort of enlistment problem before? My recruiter seemed to know hardly anything about A.D.D. which surprised me because so many people are diagnosed with it and are on medication for it. I have heard from other people in the Infantry in the Marines that once I wait a year off of the medication, I should be ok to enlist. I hope they are right, but I also hope the fact that I was diagnosed by a doctor doesnt keep me out of the Marines forever.

Thanks for your opinions.
Zach

[USMCRET6391]

I looked this stuff up on the web and this is what I found. I can see why they dont want you on it while you are in the service. At the very least you are going to pop positive for amphetamines every time you are drug tested. In addition the Canadian Govt has banned prescribing and selling the drug. It looks to me like getting off this stuff would be a good idea whether you join or not. I underlined what I see as the main objections that the miitary would have with anyone using this stuff.

ADDERALL is an amphetamine class drug most commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and adults. The generic brand is dextroamphetamine. This class of Stimulant drug can be extremely harmful to your child and cause side effects such as: inhibit growth, drug dependency, suicidal ideation, weight loss, insomnia, anxiety, agitation, depression among others.

Overview

Adderall contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are stimulants. This drug is used to:

1. Improve a patient's attention span.
2. Increase his ability to follow directions.
3. Decrease distractibility among children ages three and older.
4. Decrease impulsivity, stubbornness and aggression.

An advantage of Adderall is that it is effective for most patients when taken once or twice a day. This makes it convenient for patients, parents and caregivers. Adderall may help some patients for whom other medications, such as Ritalin have not been effective. The effects of Adderall can be felt after a few doses. It may take additional time to achieve the full effect and this may require adjusting dosages. Most people can achieve maximum benefit in 3 to 4 weeks.

Why is this drug prescribed?
Adderall is used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD). It is prescribed for the following symptoms in children:

1. Moderate to severe distractibility
2. Short attention span
3. Hyperactivity
4. Mood swings
5. Impulsiveness

When these symptoms first appear, other factors should be considered, such as neurological signs, learning disability, abnormal EEG and central nervous system dysfunction.

Warnings and Precautions

Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods may lead to drug dependence. There is a danger of obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others.

Clinical experience suggests that in psychotic children, amphetamines may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder. Chronic administration of amphetamines may be associated with growth inhibition. Therefore, growth should be monitored during treatment.

The least amount feasible should be dispensed at one time, in order to minimize the possibility of over dosage.

Amphetamines may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities, such as operating machinery or vehicles.

For Nursing Mothers: Amphetamines are excreted in human milk. Mothers taking amphetamines should refrain from nursing.

Contraindications
Adderall should Not be used for people who have:

1. Advanced arteriosclerosis.
2. Symptomatic cardiovascular disease.
3. Moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or are hypersensitive to nervous stimulation.
4. A history of drug abuse or agitated states.

Adverse Reactions

Amphetamines may cause the following reactions:

1. Heart palpitations, tachycardia (racing heart), elevation of blood pressure. There have been isolated reports of heart disease associated with chronic amphetamine use.
2. Psychotic episodes at recommended doses (rare), overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, depression, dyskinesia (loss of motor control), tremor, headache, and exacerbation of motor and speech problems, including Tourette's syndrome.
3. Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances. Anorexia and weight loss may occur.
4. Hives.
5. Impotence and changes in libido.

Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs or substances that may interact with Adderall include:

1. Gastrointestinal acidifying agents, such as guanethidine, reserpine, glutamic acid HCI, ascorbic acid, fruit juices, etc. These lower the absorption of amphetamines.
2. Urinary acidifying agents, such as ammonium chloride, and sodium acid phosphate. These may increase the concentration of amphetamines.
3. Adrenergic blockers - Adrenergic blockers are inhibited by amphetamines.
4. Akalinizing agents, such as sodium bicarbonate, increase the effect of amphetamines.
5. Antidepressants, tricyclic, combined with amphetamines may cause amphetamines to increase in the brain. The combination of these two drugs may also affect cardiovascular functions.
6. M.A.O. inhibitor antidepressants combined with amphetamines can cause headaches and other signs of hypertensive crisis. A variety of neurological toxic effects can occur, sometimes with fatal results.
7. Antihistamines' sedative effect can be counteracted by amphetamines.
8. Antihypertensives' effects can be offset by amphetamines.
9. Chlorpromazine inhibits central stimulant effects of amphetamines and can be used to treat amphetamine poisoning.
10. Ethosuximide's intestinal absorption may be delayed by amphetamines.
11. Haloperidol inhibits the central stimulant effects of amphetamines.
12. Lithium carbonate may inhibit the stimulatory effects of amphetamines.
13. Meperidine's analgesic effect may be inhibited by amphetamines
14. Methenamine therapy may reduce the effect of amphetamines.
15. Norepinephrine combined with amphetamines can increase adrenalin.
16. Phenobarbital and amphetamines combined may produce a synergistic anticonvulsant action. Amphetamine may delay intestinal absorption of phenobarbital.
17. Phenytoin - Amphetamines may delay intestinal absorption of phenytoin. Combining phenytoin and amphetamines may produce a synergistic anticonvulsant action.
18. Propoxyphene over dose combined with amphetamines can cause fatal convulsions.
19. Veratrum alkaloids' hypotensive effect can be inhibited by amphetamines.

[Rotorpower85]

Yes, I can understand why they dont want me taking it while im enlisted. Thats why I have stopped taking it. I took it to help with my school work in high school, and it worked so well I took it in college. I have been off of it this last semester and I did fine on my finals and such. Has anyone had any previous dealings with adderall and enlistment?

[Panzerman]

ADD is a disqualifier, especially if you've been taking medication for it. Adderall will be out of your system within a few days from when you stop taking it. If you're serious about being in the infantry, just keep your mouth shut about it - you don't need any sort of special security clearence to be a grunt.

Trust me, we'd have a major shortage of grunts if everyone actually fessed up to an ADD diagnosis when they enlisted.