As someone who was in my late 50’s before being diagnosed and treated for relatively low grade but still burdensome ADHD, I am frustrated with this series of articles.

I am quite health conscious, exercise for the pleasure and health benefits, eat a healthy diet because not is it good for me but healthy food tastes better when properly prepared and seasoned, I avoid toxic products and I detest taking medication when I can avoid it. I tried every non-prescription alternative I could find any valid research to substantiate to try to avoid taking a stimulant for almost 2 years before reluctantly and apprehensively trying Adderall. And wanted to kick myself for not trying it when my doc first suggested it. I use only a low dose and have no urge to abuse it. I feel as if I had been trudging through life wearing heavy boots without knowing I had them on until my brain started to function more clearly without having to rev myself up with adrenaline. Which is definitely NOT good for the bodymind. I had my DNA checked via 23andme and do have several SNP’s associated with ADHD, including some for low NET, norepinephrine transporter enzyme, and a dopamine receptor less sensitive that uses adrenaline to drive dopamine in where it needs to be. Using Adderall rather than adrenaline is much less fatiguing and avoids such negative side effects as high cortisol.

OTC supplements can have benefits. As did having my thyroid and adrenal function tested and optimized. Some food and chemical intolerances detected and avoided, adding in some supplements such as Vit. D in larger amounts and fish oils. Any deficiency will result in suboptimal bodymind function. The law of the minimum, whatever body system is low on a critical nutrient will determine the maximum level of function. Some of the amino acids such as tyrosine or nootropics such as adrafinil which is a precursor to modafinil, used for narcolepsy and some ADHD, gave some benefit but also had some negative side effects. Not worth the benefit for the risk.

I’m frustrated that this series has focussed on people who have admitted to abusing it and no mention of exploring all other alternatives as I did. Even when these alternatives do help, they may not always as life is not a straight line. Hormones change, life changes, sh!t happens. In my younger years when I could and did hit the gym hard, lifting a lot of free weights for a lot of years, this did help. But during times of stress, when needed most, the time required for the exercise or the energy needed are not always in supply. And over the decades, as much as I hate to admit it, I can’t do 3 reps deadlifting 300# as I could in my 20's-30's. I still exercise regularly but within what are sensible levels for my age and other health aspects.

Finding out that I do indeed have some atypical genetic factors and was exposed to known environmental triggers — secondhand cigarette smoke, DDT used for mosquito control, during pregnancy and childhood, and possibly some childhood illnesses that may affect ADHD, and that I was not just lazy, crazy or stupid, and that low doses of a medication I tolerate well make life much easier with a better benefit/risk ratio than the OTC options, has been a huge relief.

To focus so much on those who misused their medications, sold them for profit to others who misused them, and titling the series as ‘The Addicted Generation’ is poor journalism in my opinion. This series is about a few people who misused a medication that helps many. And this series may scare off some who, like me, were apprehensive about trying it, and could truly benefit from it without becoming addicts or dealers. I believe you are doing more of a disservice here than presenting good information.