A Mother's Fight Against ADHD Medication Addiction

Shannon was 16 years old.

A mother of three became addicted to ADHD medication, taking more than seven times the recommended dose. She took 300mg of dextroamphetamine daily, which caused paranoia, sleep deprivation, and physical problems.

At her worst, her body was under great strain, and her jugular vein was visible. Shannon shared her story to show the reality of addiction and her moment of realization.

Shannon said, 'After one pill, I was hooked. The pill gave me a feeling I had never felt before. Eventually, I needed the medication to function in my life.'

Shannon and Eric on their last night out drinking.

Shannon said getting the powerful drug was easy. She went to a doctor, said she had trouble focusing, and was prescribed the medication after a simple test.

The test involved sitting in a room with a camera and computer, pressing a space bar at certain times. If she missed a few times, she was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed controlled substances.

Before recovering, Shannon's addiction hurt her mind and body. She would move her jaw like a crack addict, a symptom she still experiences. Shannon realized how severe her addiction was.

Shannon said, 'I could take 300mg in a day. I remember taking five 30mg pills at once and doing it again later.' The side effects were devastating.

Shannon said, 'I got chronic dry eye from taking too many stimulants and not sleeping. I got chronic hives that wouldn't go away without steroids.'

Shannon said, 'I would move my jaw like a crack addict, and my blood would pump hard. My mum commented on my visible jugular vein.'

Shannon said, 'My pupils became big, and people commented on it. Adderall made me anxious, and with lack of sleep, I started to hallucinate.'

Harrison, Eric, Sutton, Shannon, and Greyson.

Shannon said the turning point came when she talked to intravenous drug addicts. She had a spiritual awakening and realized she was an addict like them.

Shannon said, 'I saw myself as different, but that moment made me realize I was an addict. The substance doesn't matter.'

Shannon started attending 12-step meetings to change. She said, 'It was there that I could be honest, and I had sober support around me.'

Shannon started her Sober is Chic business and met many people like her on social media. She said, 'This is definitely an epidemic.'

Eric, Harrison, Greyson, Sutton, and Shannon.

Shannon warned that the problem may be easier to fall into now. She said, 'I've had clients with similar experiences, and family members have reached out about loved ones getting prescriptions through virtual appointments.'

Shannon said the issue goes beyond individuals. She said, 'Some people comment on my content, saying they cause pharmacy shortages and doctors' hesitation to prescribe. But that wasn't my experience.'

Shannon said, 'Recovery came with its own challenges. I had panic attacks, but when I got sober, they came on often.'

Shannon said, 'I learned to breathe through panic attacks. I was used to taking something when those feelings came on before, but this was new territory.'

Shannon said, 'There is hope. You can do this. Stop telling yourself you can't. Your addiction will kill you, or you will live a miserable existence until something else does.'

Shannon said, 'My course or coaching will help show you the way. It's life or death, and it's time to choose life.'

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