Did you happen to catch ABC World News this evening?
Did you catch the piece “Supermom’s Secret Addiction: Stepping out of Adderall’s Shadow“?
Well, once again ABC News has got me donning my Rant Hat! (Remember GMA on Alcohol & Motherhood?)
This time is was a piece supposedly throwing back the curtain on the rise of mothers, that don’t have attention deficit disorder, becoming addicted to Adderall.
Gee, where do I even begin with this rant?
Remember way back, when they were talking about moms taking their kid’s Ritalin? Remember when Lynette Scavo was so Desperate she swiped a bottle?
Struggling Moms looking for a little extra support is not breaking news people.
Adderall isn’t all that unique when it comes to addictiveness, almost anything can be addictive – chocolate or cigarettes, Diet Pepsi or doughnuts, coffee or cocaine.
And addiction certainly is an important issue – a battle many men & women fight everyday – but this piece was sensationalistic & inflamatory.
One mother in the piece confessed to having had addiction struggles in her past, and when her doctor cut off the supply of Adderall she turned to meth!
I feel for this mom and her struggle with substance dependency, but her story, as well as the nurse that almost overdosed after taking 10 Adderall (seriously, a nurse, 10?), the piece’s dire tone and its lack of a broader perspective cast an ominous shadow over all doctor-diagnosed ADD moms.
This segment on Adderall-addicted moms failed to mention that there are many folks with attention deficit disorder that rely on Adderall, and other ADD medications, to help navigate thru life more smoothly as they try to be the best they can be – professional, wife, mother – not perfect, just better.
ABC News also overlooked the fact that these non-ADD Adderall-addicted moms are contributing to the ongoing shortages doctor-diagnosed ADDers continue to deal.
So, you may be wondering, “Why did Supermom’s Secret Addiction send the Fortuitous Housewife off on such a tirade?”
Well, you see, in case you missed the few ADD references along the way, the Fortuitous Housewife is a mom with ADD taking Adderall daily. (Unless I forget in the midst of the morning chaos. Then I fumble thru my day, only discovering my oversight when I spy the skipped pill in my weekly pill box.)
I officially joined the club in adulthood, ’cause growing up back in the dark ages there wasn’t an ADD to explain my struggles in school & life.
When I started this blog I intended to share my Momming with ADD experiences, but I guess the ADD got the better of me and off I went crafting & cooking & trying to make y’all smirk.
I enjoy my eclectic approach to blogging and have no intention of abandoning the randomness, but in my very unscientific survey there is a lot out there about living with, working with, marriage with, money and, and parenting to ADDers, but I have yet to come across anyone talking about the unique challenges (opportunities and joys) of being a parent with ADD.
I thought I had to do a ton of research before I broached the topic, had to develop my ADD street cred – then a blogging buddy informed me I already am an expert at living and parenting with ADD, I live it everyday. She gave the kick in the tush I needed to stop preparing and start writing.
(Darn her! I was up til 2:30am drafting this post! And she lives 1000’s of miles away so an emergency Starbucks delivery this afternoon isn’t very likely!)
So, periodically I will share my experiences with, perspective on and tools & tricks I’ve developed to live my best life, be my best self with ADD.
Are you a parent with attention deficit disorder? Maybe you know an ADD Mom or Dad?
Don’t be shy! Raise your hand & join my ADD MOM club. Or share this post with your ADD pal.
Do you know of anyone out there discussing parenting with ADD? I would love to hear about them!
Shame on ABC! <br /><br />So proud of you for "comming out". This calls for a party!
addiction is a funny thing, and apparently newsworthy if you play your cards right. I think you need bumper stickers or T-shirts about how “ADD Moms are way more fun.” Great post!
hi. ADD Dad here. there are still folks out there who don't believe that add is real. i sometimes smirk when i imagine them being struck with with ADD from and angel for being so judgmental. Of course i don't think about it too long 'cause i could… you know…. get distracted.
Thanks for stopping by, ADD Dad!
Dealing with non-ADDers certainly can be frustrating & disheartening. Too many people think it’s just a flippant excuse for being flaky.
It took marrying a man who’s brain is the antithesis of ADD for me to finally develop an effective vocabulary for explaining the sometimes amazing, sometimes aggravating wiring of my brain. Once I found a way to explain and educate him, I felt empowered to step out of the shadows and acknowledge, even embrace, my ADD.
I hope to write more about adulthood, parenting while ADDing, so I hope you come and visit again. In the meantime, you might think about joining the gang over at “MOMSonADD” on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/339821132766839/. I’m sure they’d welcome a Dad’s perspective.
I am trying to do 500 things at once and usually start 10 project with every intent of finishing them but never do. All my really hyperactive friends said I too was ADD. So I saw the doc did the test got the script. Best thing about it was the lack of appetite and the motivation to move. I lost 20lbs and got moving. The gym that I would only go to 2 times a week maybe now if my every day thing. I clean every day. Those closets of built up crap are not disappearing. I was first prescribed 10mg a day time release…but that left me too hyper and not myself. I went down to to 5mg pill (not time released), so I’m supposed to take it twice a day. I usually take it in the AM and get done every thing I have to, and then don’t take the afternoon dose. I’m hoping this stop any major dependance. Trying to do the right thing. After reading articles of people in the same boat I’m doing research on addiction to it. Now being more careful. Thanks for the awareness but not ready to give it up.
Anonymous, there certainly are instances of addiction to ADD meds, but from what I’ve read and seen on the news, it seems like most cases are with people that don’t actually have ADD, or have ADD as well as some other underlying addiction problem and don’t have a doctor that helps them use their meds safely.
I am by no means am no ADD meds advocate.
After 3 concussions, a skull fracture, broken bones, many trips to the emergency room, my doctor prescribed ADD medication but insisted I go to a wonderful ADD clinic in Cinn., The Affinity Center. It took 6 months of drug trials to get my meds right, I take straight Dexedrine, for older people I think it is smoother. The average life span for untreated ADD I'm guessing is about 20 years
Wow, I had never heard of a connection between higher teen automotive accident rates during a season they are more likely to not be taking their meds, but knowing how distracted we ADDers can get, it seems plausible.
Glad you’ve found safe passage on the ADD super-highway – sounds like you’ve found a great resources at the Affinity Center.