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Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
21–30 of 45 posts
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#22I would recommend going to some online NA or Smart Recovery meetings. At the levels you probably took it at (I think I’m making a good assumption here) it’s most likely prescription pill abuse - addiction. What you are feeling right now is withdrawal. You reinforced the behavior with working with a drug and now the drug is gone. This is the same thing people that get off any drug/alcohol are going through right now, and you will find solidarity and support in those groups.
There are literally online zoom meetings 24/7, google around. You don’t have to say anything, just listen.
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#23Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#24I stopped taking amphetamine stimulants for similar reasons and with a similar outcome. I ended up getting a prescription for Provigil (modafinil), a non-amphetamine stimulant. It’s not nearly as dopaminergic as amphetamine, decidedly non-euphoric, but more motivationally stimulating than caffeine. I found that the dose response lends itself well to former addicts, where taking the recommended dosage (100mg for me) d…
How do you get a prescription for that? Is that an ADHD med?
My psychiatrist recommended it. I was around two years out from quitting a daily 60mg Vyvanse habit and still having a rough time. Unmotivated, brain fog, depressed, etc.
Effexor caused suicidal ideation, Strattera was too abusable, Wellbutrin worked ok at first but caused hives when I increased the dose to the recommended level.
Modafinil is more commonly prescribed for narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder, requiring a sleep study. But allows for off-label use at doctors discretion.
It has a fairly low addiction profile, which I was suspicious of given my history, but I don’t feel the need to take it every day, and usually abstain on weekends.
I also tried Nuvigil (armodafinil), which works similarly but for longer and at a lower dose. But it was a bit jagged, and overkill, I don’t need 16 hours of stimulation.
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#25Have you considered talking with a mental health professional?
I ask because it sounds more nuanced than another person’s “it works on my machine” is likely to address.
And your employer probably provides an EAP benefit that covers it. This is why.
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#26There is an interesting question underlying this scenario - is working in a cutthroat culture "normal" in the first place? If you needed stimulants to succeed there, and are trying to now live a healthier life, does that job even fit in that healthier life? Or should the answer to your question be more along the lines of finding a new role where your productivity meshes better with the expectations?
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Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't have ADHD - stimulants make me a lot more productive until tolerance kicks in. It's easier to focus on boring tasks, and I'm high so work that normally isn't fun becomes fun. Once the tolerance kicks in (1-2 weeks of use) the high becomes mild / nonexistant and it no longer boosts my productivity
Interesting. OK. I have ADHD and I don't feel anything resembling a "high." If anything, I feel normal and relaxed on stimulants. But it also makes me able to focus and work hard, and I wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I have professionally or personally without it. Not just my job, but my marriage too was falling apart prior to getting on medication. What you wrote in the original post could have been writ…
> You may have a serious mental condition that needs treatment
Maybe, but I wouldn't say serious. Just standard life malaise.
I have talked to a psych - he gave me a concerta prescription after talking for 20 minutes lol. That's the stimulant I'm talking about. It's basically super coffee that lasts all day, and like I said, the high is by far the best part.
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#28I drink coffee that's a mix of 33% regular / 66% swiss-water decaf. It's the best of both worlds, you can keep yourself awake but you're not getting the huge highs and lows of regular coffee.
My flow has been massively stable since I started doing this.
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#29I stopped taking amphetamine stimulants for similar reasons and with a similar outcome. I ended up getting a prescription for Provigil (modafinil), a non-amphetamine stimulant. It’s not nearly as dopaminergic as amphetamine, decidedly non-euphoric, but more motivationally stimulating than caffeine. I found that the dose response lends itself well to former addicts, where taking the recommended dosage (100mg for me) d…
That did nothing for me - I kinda theorize it can't compete with my caffeine usage ie I would have to drop caffeine to restart at a baseline of sorts... (Or I just got powder..)
Re: Ask HN: Quit stimulants, productivity suffering
#30Were you taking stimulants for a condition (ADHD etc)?
Amphetamine Stimulants affect those with ADHD differently to neurotypical people, so use with much caution.
In the case of recreational or dependant use (non-medical use etc) Perhaps seek professional help. Additionally consider the pressures of a FAANG workplace and whether it is the right fit for you.
No matter the money, I could not work in a fast-paced, cutthroat environment. I need fair-paced and understanding etc