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Adderall addiction

 
Renegade (Me too)
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12/19/2012 09:14 AM
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Adderall addiction
I think my 50+ female friend is addicted to adderall. I know she was diagnosed as ADD about 7 or 8 years ago, and she ran a successful business.

Now she is having severe health and mental issues and has lost her business.

Anyone else familiar with this addiction?
Who is John Galt?
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 09:34 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I think my 50+ female friend is addicted to adderall. I know she was diagnosed as ADD about 7 or 8 years ago, and she ran a successful business.

Now she is having severe health and mental issues and has lost her business.

Anyone else familiar with this addiction?
 Quoting: Renegade (Me too)


My friends daughter had a "Psychotic Break" due to Adderall abuse. Was hospitalized for 8 days. She is still recovering, worry she may never be the same. My 30 yr old son also is addicted. He is ADD and Bi-Polar. I just don't understand how adderall is prescribed to someone who gets manic. It makes life so much harder. It does nothing to help his attention span, quite the contrary!
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 09:37 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I think my 50+ female friend is addicted to adderall. I know she was diagnosed as ADD about 7 or 8 years ago, and she ran a successful business.

Now she is having severe health and mental issues and has lost her business.

Anyone else familiar with this addiction?
 Quoting: Renegade (Me too)


big pharma poison


end of story
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 09:41 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I think my 50+ female friend is addicted to adderall. I know she was diagnosed as ADD about 7 or 8 years ago, and she ran a successful business.

Now she is having severe health and mental issues and has lost her business.

Anyone else familiar with this addiction?
 Quoting: Renegade (Me too)


big pharma poison


end of story
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 831180


Absolutely!
MayanGod

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12/19/2012 09:43 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I was put on Adderall about 2 years ago. Worst shit ever. I ended up upping my dosage to about 60 mg a day and I started to have paranoid thoughts and almost had a heart attack. Nasty shit. Never done it since.
"The face of this entire planet could be rearranged in a matter of days; not thousands or millions of years. If we haven’t learned that by now because of the hardness of the scientific heart; we’re about to."
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 10:15 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Sooo....she was diagnosed with ADD only 7-8 years ago. Even though people are actually born with it...its not a late in life development. Mental patients are normally also consummate liars....so if she told you that its just diagnosed she is full of BS. She may be addicted to something.....if someone is a user of medication for mental illnes...well duh....any drugs are addictive. No person can act normally without drugs if ADD, Asbergers, bipolar etc.

The thing is....why are you with a person that has mental problems? You know it, she knows it.....you are setting yourself up as a victim. Hope she doesnt suddenly doesnt go OFF you or your life could be in great danger.
No person can truly love a liar because they dont know who they are. You only love who you think she is.....like without the psycho tendencies.
dglnomore

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12/19/2012 10:29 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
The question you pose is very broad and vague. Are you saying she ran a successful business before being diagnosed and being treated with Adderall? There could be a myriad of things going on - she could be under-medicated, she could be abusing it, and/or she could be dealing with other mental or physical health issues.

The fact that she was diagnosed in her early 40s means nothing. There was no such thing as ADD when she was a kid. I was able to get through law school with untreated ADHD, and didn't get a diagnosis until I was in my early 30s (7-8 years ago). Does that mean I haven't struggled with it my whole life? NO! I have. But Adderall isn't a silver bullet, either. It improves my focus and helps some of my symptoms, but I still struggle a lot.

ADHD is not a mental health disorder. However, because of the struggles, frustrations and past failures, there are usually other issues at work, especially if someone doesn't get help until they are an adult.

As someone who dated a recovering alcoholic and was accused by him of being addicted to ADHD meds, I can relate to how it may look to someone on the outside. I'm not saying that the woman you are involved with doesn't have a problem, but it is possible to need Adderall to function on a daily basis and not be addicted. Actually, I have read that, if one truly has ADHD, they don't develop an addiction to stimulants. (If someone has a history of addiction, however, doctors are more careful in prescribing.) I have found this to be the case for me - I have been taking stimulants for 7 years now, and am not addicted. I can still forget to take my meds just as easily as I forget to take a vitamin. I don't functioon quie as well, but I don't feel that I need it in order to live. I don't have withdrawal symptoms, etc.

Hope that helps.
Renegade (Me too)  (OP)

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12/19/2012 10:53 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I think my 50+ female friend is addicted to adderall. I know she was diagnosed as ADD about 7 or 8 years ago, and she ran a successful business.

Now she is having severe health and mental issues and has lost her business.

Anyone else familiar with this addiction?
 Quoting: Renegade (Me too)


My friends daughter had a "Psychotic Break" due to Adderall abuse. Was hospitalized for 8 days. She is still recovering, worry she may never be the same. My 30 yr old son also is addicted. He is ADD and Bi-Polar. I just don't understand how adderall is prescribed to someone who gets manic. It makes life so much harder. It does nothing to help his attention span, quite the contrary!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 25960498


Thanks for responding.
From what I have read, it is one molecule away from meth. Pure amphetimine and very addictive.

I can not believe they are prescribing this to children.
Who is John Galt?
Renegade (Me too)  (OP)

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12/19/2012 10:54 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I was put on Adderall about 2 years ago. Worst shit ever. I ended up upping my dosage to about 60 mg a day and I started to have paranoid thoughts and almost had a heart attack. Nasty shit. Never done it since.
 Quoting: MayanGod


Yes, my friend is paranoid, suspicious, and delusional.
She thinks someone is listening in on her phonecalls and breaking into her computer.

She has even mentioned voices.
Who is John Galt?
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 10:57 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
yes, it will kick paranoia into hyper drive at times

the negatives usually outweight the positives.

most of what needed to be said has already been said here.

tell friend to steer clear
Renegade (Me too)  (OP)

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12/19/2012 10:58 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Sooo....she was diagnosed with ADD only 7-8 years ago. Even though people are actually born with it...its not a late in life development. Mental patients are normally also consummate liars....so if she told you that its just diagnosed she is full of BS. She may be addicted to something.....if someone is a user of medication for mental illnes...well duh....any drugs are addictive. No person can act normally without drugs if ADD, Asbergers, bipolar etc.

The thing is....why are you with a person that has mental problems? You know it, she knows it.....you are setting yourself up as a victim. Hope she doesnt suddenly doesnt go OFF you or your life could be in great danger.
No person can truly love a liar because they dont know who they are. You only love who you think she is.....like without the psycho tendencies.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13250526


Well, we were childhood friends, but parted ways for about 3 years because she became mean as hell.

Now, she is a physical wreck. And yes, I am limiting my interaction again. I am just now connecting the dots.

Thanks for your response. i am looking for validation.
Who is John Galt?
Renegade (Me too)  (OP)

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12/19/2012 11:02 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
The question you pose is very broad and vague. Are you saying she ran a successful business before being diagnosed and being treated with Adderall? There could be a myriad of things going on - she could be under-medicated, she could be abusing it, and/or she could be dealing with other mental or physical health issues.

The fact that she was diagnosed in her early 40s means nothing. There was no such thing as ADD when she was a kid. I was able to get through law school with untreated ADHD, and didn't get a diagnosis until I was in my early 30s (7-8 years ago). Does that mean I haven't struggled with it my whole life? NO! I have. But Adderall isn't a silver bullet, either. It improves my focus and helps some of my symptoms, but I still struggle a lot.

ADHD is not a mental health disorder. However, because of the struggles, frustrations and past failures, there are usually other issues at work, especially if someone doesn't get help until they are an adult.

As someone who dated a recovering alcoholic and was accused by him of being addicted to ADHD meds, I can relate to how it may look to someone on the outside. I'm not saying that the woman you are involved with doesn't have a problem, but it is possible to need Adderall to function on a daily basis and not be addicted. Actually, I have read that, if one truly has ADHD, they don't develop an addiction to stimulants. (If someone has a history of addiction, however, doctors are more careful in prescribing.) I have found this to be the case for me - I have been taking stimulants for 7 years now, and am not addicted. I can still forget to take my meds just as easily as I forget to take a vitamin. I don't functioon quie as well, but I don't feel that I need it in order to live. I don't have withdrawal symptoms, etc.

Hope that helps.
 Quoting: dglnomore


There is no question, she has been ADD all her life ... couldn't play cards, couldn't read a book, couldn't stay in college, etc.

However, I think years of adderral use / abuse has affected her ability to function now.
Who is John Galt?
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 11:23 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
It can happen..Adderall is 'speed'. If she's been on that long, she's built up a tolerance and I bet, she's on a higher dosage.
I too, at 50 became so depressed and extremely sad for months. I was given Adderall and I was amazed at how quickly, within hours, my mood was elevated!! LOL. I remember telling myself, " I think this med. is making me happy"! I was concerned about the potential of addition...my Dr told me to use as needed. Presently, I am on no antidepressants:)
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 11:27 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
i can see how adderall can be dangerous but on the other hand i think its useless garbage as well. i tried it once, one time, didnt do absolutely anything, nothing at all.
thats all i have to say about it.
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 11:33 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Try to tell her that she should visit a second Doctor
because Adderall and psychotic Episodes are not a good melange!
Fred
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12/19/2012 11:39 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Adderall is speed. All the issues of meth addiction including psychosis could possibly be present. Speed is the one drug that really will almost certainly make someone nuts.

It would likely not be permanent if they can get clean. But its a rough road to recovery.
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 11:49 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
I made my wife quit that god aweful shit cold turkey. Threatened her with divorce if she ever took it again.

It took her about a month to flush the shit out. It's been 7 years now and she thanks me all the time for saving her. She said there is still lingering damage.
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 11:53 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
This Drug can help but the problem
is that toooooooo many Docs and Meds
do not control the use and intake of this Drug!
Anonymous Coward
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12/19/2012 12:42 PM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Dated a middle aged woman on Adderall for a shot time ... and FLED out the door. Another "later in life diagnosis" situation.

Since I did not personally know her before, but do know people who knew her about 12-15 years before I met her, in talking to them I was able to get a picture of her "before and after" mindset. It was NOT a favorable change (though as with all people other events and situations can also change a person over time, not just going on Adderall during that time frame).

All I can say based upon my experience is ... RUN!!


Sadly often we do wish to help others with mental issues ... but know that if we try they will work overtime to suck us into their fucked up world as both punching bags and as enablers.

Unless it is my own immediate family I have personally given up trying to help adults who have mental issues, or to try to save them from themselves. As a late arriving outsider there is little I can do to help them (people with phyical ailments ... well that is horse of a different color and I continue to try to help).

Read up on the problems that Adderall causes, particularly causes middle aged women. The one I started to date seemed to have most of them, including some behavioral ones that are somewhat uncommon but when they happen are rather ... well "amazing" for lack of a better word (and this being a "family" kind of place).

Good luck
Renegade (Me too)  (OP)

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12/20/2012 01:14 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Dated a middle aged woman on Adderall for a shot time ... and FLED out the door. Another "later in life diagnosis" situation.

Since I did not personally know her before, but do know people who knew her about 12-15 years before I met her, in talking to them I was able to get a picture of her "before and after" mindset. It was NOT a favorable change (though as with all people other events and situations can also change a person over time, not just going on Adderall during that time frame).

All I can say based upon my experience is ... RUN!!


Sadly often we do wish to help others with mental issues ... but know that if we try they will work overtime to suck us into their fucked up world as both punching bags and as enablers.

Unless it is my own immediate family I have personally given up trying to help adults who have mental issues, or to try to save them from themselves. As a late arriving outsider there is little I can do to help them (people with phyical ailments ... well that is horse of a different color and I continue to try to help).

Read up on the problems that Adderall causes, particularly causes middle aged women. The one I started to date seemed to have most of them, including some behavioral ones that are somewhat uncommon but when they happen are rather ... well "amazing" for lack of a better word (and this being a "family" kind of place).

Good luck
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 20589235


Yea, I have minimized my interaction. She is too much for me. although she does not admit adderal usage she has all the classic symptoms emotionally, and physically. She calls me to tell me she is dying and shit. I'm not equipped to handle it.

Do you got any good links to share?
Who is John Galt?
pi
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12/20/2012 01:40 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
....sweet Jesus guys, these are drugs we're dealing with, not demons out of hell.

I've been addicted to Adderall before (2 years), shame as it was a proper treatment: Doctors are just as afraid of the stuff as you all are, and I couldn't get the dose level that helped me. So I switched to Ritalin and while it is less effective, Doctors are actually willing to prescribe a proper dose.

Amphetamines are not toxic unless the dose is very high. With racemic amphetamine that level is around 120mg a day. Even at this level, any toxicity is mitigated by antioxidant consumption. Amphetamines have decades of scientific research to support their use and safety.

And by the way, ethyl alcohol and it's metabolites are more toxic than both amphetamine and methamphetamine.

What if, God forbid, the medicine is actually helping, and your friend's suffering comes from elsewhere? A brain disease genotype, for example.

Realistically addiction to stimulants is only psychological. Many people mistake proper use for "addiction".
krosty

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12/20/2012 01:49 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
To control those symptoms (you didn't even say what they are) usually more than one drug is needed. Most psychiatrist know anyone on Adderal or Ritalin is going to need a downer like some Xanax or antipsychotics to balance the effect so make sure they are getting the right care.

They could be getting butchered by a family doctor that has no clue about psychiatry.
pi
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12/20/2012 01:52 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Sadly often we do wish to help others with mental issues ... but know that if we try they will work overtime to suck us into their fucked up world as both punching bags and as enablers.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 20589235


Additionally... I hope you're aware that this line of thought is why "mental issues" even exist.

You self-proclaimed "normal" people are so drunk on your own egos that you equate expressions of pain and cries for help as people trying to "work overtime to suck [you] into their fucked up world".

What a shame...
pi
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12/20/2012 01:55 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
To control those symptoms (you didn't even say what they are) usually more than one drug is needed. Most psychiatrist know anyone on Adderal or Ritalin is going to need a downer like some Xanax or antipsychotics to balance the effect so make sure they are getting the right care.

They could be getting butchered by a family doctor that has no clue about psychiatry.
 Quoting: krosty


Indeed, and many elderly people are also prescribed less common drugs such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors alongside stimulants to augment the nootropic effects of each drug.
Miggy

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12/20/2012 01:55 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Very interesting thread.

I was put on Adderall about a year ago and keep wanting to get off of it.

My family swears they'll KILL me if I do. They say they can tell when I don't take it.

I'm supposed to take it every morning but yet again I haven't for the past 3 mornings.

I'm certainly not addicted.
Miggy

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12/20/2012 01:59 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Sadly often we do wish to help others with mental issues ... but know that if we try they will work overtime to suck us into their fucked up world as both punching bags and as enablers.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 20589235


Additionally... I hope you're aware that this line of thought is why "mental issues" even exist.

You self-proclaimed "normal" people are so drunk on your own egos that you equate expressions of pain and cries for help as people trying to "work overtime to suck [you] into their fucked up world".

What a shame...
 Quoting: pi 20063747


Pi, I like you. Can I be your friend? tounge
pi
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12/20/2012 02:01 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Very interesting thread.

I was put on Adderall about a year ago and keep wanting to get off of it.

My family swears they'll KILL me if I do. They say they can tell when I don't take it.

I'm supposed to take it every morning but yet again I haven't for the past 3 mornings.

I'm certainly not addicted.
 Quoting: Miggy


Yes this is the case for many people.

In university there is a large "black market" for this drug.

Not that I would sell any of mine, but NONE of the young adults that I observed using Adderall illicitly became addicted.

Several of them even disliked the "euphoric" effects of the drug, and used it purely for study/stimulant purposes.
Anonymous Coward
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12/20/2012 02:04 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Psychotic breaks from amphetamine abuse are common.

How about a nice stocking stuffer? Its a cute book shaped like a pill, at least it might get her thinking...

[link to www.amazon.com]

"Elvis Presley, the Hell’s Angels, Hunter S. Thompson, Truman Capote, the Beatles, Judy Garland, Hank Williams, the Manson Family, Jack Kerouac, Johnny Cash, JFK, and Adolf Hitler. All of the above were, at one time or another, to put it bluntly, speedfreaks.

Speed-Speed-Speedfreak traces the criminal and cultural use of amphetamine and its growing use through each new and destructive cycle. The book will be printed in rounded pill capsule form, like the vaunted “black beauty” of pharmaceutical history."
Anonymous Coward
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12/20/2012 02:05 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Speaking from personal experience, Adderall taken responsively can have quite positive results !

And by that I mean, do not exceed the recommended dosage for your body weight, EVER ! Maintain a healthy life stile with lots of protein in your diet and also at least 8-9 hours of sleep per night so you don't strain your heart !

Besides the proper diet, don't forget to stay very well hydrated during the day so your electrolyte levels stay high which also helps put as little strain on the heart as possible !

Anyway, what ever you do, DON'T take it for more than 3-4 months, you'll get a severe addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are unimaginable...not as worse as meth but close to it !
The Sonic Dreamer

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12/20/2012 02:06 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
adderall is the trademarked name for "Amphetamine salts."

I have firsthand experience with the stuff, and it is powerful and it is amphetamine. Take too much and you will not sleep for at least 24 hours, more depending on dosage.

Highly addictive, but fortunately the addiction is entirely mental. As opposed to benzodiazapenes and opiates/opioids and alcohol, which are mentally and physically addictive-meaning causing physical withdrawal symptoms which can cause death!

She needs professional help. The best thing for her would be a stay at a rehabilitation center. A minimum of three months, possibly six months to a year. Or more. If she has been a daily abuser of amphetamines for seven years, she will need months of time in a facility where she can not access the drug. Even then, statistically speaking, she has a small chance of remaining free of the substance for the rest of her life. Without a rehab stint, her chances are less than 1/100th of 1 percent.

I will pray for her.
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Anonymous Coward
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12/20/2012 02:06 AM
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Re: Adderall addiction
Get her on meditation or something healthy for the mind. Eating better maybe even. Anything is better than those chemiKILLS





GLP