Unaltered
Aug 18, 08- (by Chris Mecham)
- one response
- Sober Salon
Everyone has their own opinion and their own path in matters like this and I hope not to make this a launch pad for the kind of unproductive discussion that this topic often precipitates. My path and my recovery has included medical care and psychotropic and other medication.
The one that has been most important is currently in phase II clinical trials for treatment of methamphetamine dependence. It has long been used off label for treatment of ADHD. It’s tough to be ADHD and a speed freak. There hasn’t been anything available that really works that isn’t a stimulant before. This drug has powerful stimulant effects, the kind that get you really focused, but doesn’t interact with the brain’s reward pathway. It produces no euphoria. It is not believed to have any potential for dependence. I don’t believe I would have been able to do nearly as much as I have done in my recovery without it.
This medication is also very expensive (around $250/month). For the last year I have been on the manufacturer’s patient assistance program which is administered by NORD. I called NORD today to recertify and was told that the program is closed. They may be taking applications again next year.
So I guess that probably means I get to learn what it’s like to be sober on my own and I’m a little apprehensive. I’m not even sure who I should talk to about this. I called my nurse practitioner who prescribes for me and moved next weeks appointment up from next week to after the first of the year. I don’t even know if that’s a good idea. It doesn’t seem like spending money to see her if I won’t be able to get the medication she prescribes makes any sense, but I don’t know.
I have about 10 days left. After that, I guess we’ll see what happens.
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Wow, I can really relate to that feeling. I take Suboxone as part of my recovery and I’ve had a bit of a runaround from time to time with my insurance. And I know for a fact that my insurance will stop paying for my medication in a few months - a fact that I’m half dreading and half in denial about.
Maybe you should talk to your nurse-practitioner though. She might have some information that could help you through this transition, or she might know of some other way for you to get your medication.
I’m not sure what NORD is - is it like Needy Meds? I have a friend who gets her medication for free from that program.
In any case, I think reaching out to whoever you can is a good idea when you’re facing something like this. Finding out what to expect when you stop taking a psych med is a smart thing to do, and you never know what kinds of useful info people around you might have. At the very least, the people in your life will know what’s up and will be able to be there for you if you need them.
Best of luck!