How to Stay Focused without Adderall

The world is more competitive than ever. There can be hundreds of people competing for the same single job opening—to say nothing of the fact that millions of jobs have been outsourced to other countries. We can’t afford to be mediocre in school or at work. Some people have used this need to be hyper-productive as a way to justify taking stimulants like Adderall. It’s time to learn how to work smarter, not harder. Adderall recovery can help.

Don’t Rely on Your Memory

Write down everything you need to remember every day. It doesn’t matter how simple it is or how certain you are that you’ll remember on your own. With today’s world of mobile applications on our smartphones, computer-based calendars that sync with our phones and even old-fashioned paper planners, you have no shortage of helpers.

Many people fear that Adderall recovery will be impossible because they know their memory isn’t great. But you can rest assured that can be totally normal. The busier your life is, the more likely you are to forget things. Forgetting details is not in itself a sign that you have attention-deficit disorder that needs medication. It could just mean that you’re getting older and you need to get more organized.

According to the Harvard Health Blog, forgetfulness can be caused by many things, including side effects of medication, underactive thyroid and lack of sleep.

Don’t Procrastinate

Stay Focused without Adderall

Accomplish tasks right away so you don’t have to worry about forgetting them.

Procrastination is a normal tendency for most of us. However, this can be your worst enemy when you’re trying to stay focused. The more you put off things you have to do, the more stressful the experience will be.

Challenge yourself to do your tasks as soon as you can. It may be more unpleasant in the short term but you’ll be rewarded by having free time when you’re done. If avoiding stress isn’t motivation enough, keep in mind that the work you do will be less productive and poorer in quality when you’re panicked. That belief that you work best under pressure is a myth for most people.

Be Willing to Delegate

Letting other people share the workload can make your life easier. But many of us are reluctant to let others take on some of our tasks, especially because it’s our own reputations on the line.

It’s better to ask others to take on some of your workload than to spread yourself too thin. This applies more to a business setting than in school, of course. But even in school, you can resist the urge to do everything yourself on group projects.

Why Adderall Isn’t a Good Long-Term Solution

Adderall and other stimulant medications can help children and young adults to sit still in a classroom setting. While these medications have their appropriate times for use, they aren’t intended to be a substitute for developing skills that will help you cope with the stresses of everyday life.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription stimulant medication changes the way the brain produces dopamine. This feel-good chemical increases rapidly, which is similar to the effect of methamphetamine (crystal meth). Before long, the brain requires the chemical to avoid withdrawal.

Long-term use and abuse of Adderall and other stimulant medication can have serious side effects. Stimulants like Adderall raise your blood pressure and heart rate and decrease your appetite and sleep. These drugs can cause psychosis, paranoia and cardiac problems including stroke. Withdrawal symptoms are also common, including fatigue, depression and sleep problems.

Learning how to function without Adderall and other stimulants can be challenging but it’s definitely achievable with some effort. If you have been taking stimulant medication to help your productivity and focus, you will likely need some assistance adjusting to life without it. Rehab centers can help you with your Adderall recovery.

If you’re ready to learn how to become productive without relying on drugs, call our helpline today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?).