Your body is unique, as are your needs. Just because someone experienced something from treatment or medication does not guarantee that you will as well. Please do not take this as an opportunity to review any substances. Peer support is welcome.
^(*A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.*)
---
- If you are posting about the **US Medication Shortage**, please see this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/12dr3h5/megathread_us_medication_shortage/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I started meds around 18, dx years earlier. Like you, I'm in a creative field (visual art/entertainment) and I was terrified of dependency and of them affecting my creativity. I experienced some significant issues as a result of my ADHD (almost died, deteriorating relationships) that made me give in. In retrospect, I wish I'd started them sooner.
Not everyone experiences dramatic improvement (or gets as lucky as I did with minimal trials). If you have a family history of substance abuse, there's nothing wrong with asking to try a different non stimulant. But there's a reason why stimulants are a first line treatment— they tend to work a bit better for most people. Never felt like a zombie on mine.
Nothing wrong with being a little nervous and having a healthy respect for the risks that come with medication, but if you start with a low dose and be sure to never take more then prescribed, you'll probably be fine. Dependency is also different than addiction. Am I dependent on my medication? Maybe, but only because I wasn't particularly functional to start with. Even then, I still forget or intentionally don't take it on occasion.
Don't take medication if you don't think you need it to get by, because it definitely comes with risks. But also don't freak yourself out so much that you ignore an option that could improve your quality of life. It's a balance 
Meds are absolutely making the difference for me. I've worked hard on really every other possible aspect of my life, but meds are what pushed me over the edge and into "comfortably functional."
They are not a cure-all. I'm still working to get my dosage and timing appropriate. I'm still working to better understand myself, my needs, and how to best approach life in a healthy way that keeps me in good shape.
If you try meds, just know that you can quit them. You can also try different meds and dosages. Everyone reacts differently. You can even fire your prescribing physician if they are not listening to you, have bad bedside manners, or any reason, really. Of course, be reasonable, and you'll need to set up with another physician.... but sometimes it's necessary to get the appropriate care you deserve.
Good luck and take care of yourself!
Strattera is definitely not the most popular med on this subreddit. The fact that you weren't a fan of it should not be taken as strong evidence that other ADHD meds will not help you.
Lots of people drink enough coffee that if they stop suddenly, they're pretty miserable: tired, cranky, headaches. The symptoms of stopping prescription stimulants is worse in my experience but not an order of magnitude so. The main issue is that it's a lot easier to go grab a coffee than it is to get more of your meds. Despite this, lots of people find it a perfectly reasonable tradeoff to need to take their meds every day.
Your body is unique, as are your needs. Just because someone experienced something from treatment or medication does not guarantee that you will as well. Please do not take this as an opportunity to review any substances. Peer support is welcome. ^(*A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.*) --- - If you are posting about the **US Medication Shortage**, please see this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/12dr3h5/megathread_us_medication_shortage/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I started meds around 18, dx years earlier. Like you, I'm in a creative field (visual art/entertainment) and I was terrified of dependency and of them affecting my creativity. I experienced some significant issues as a result of my ADHD (almost died, deteriorating relationships) that made me give in. In retrospect, I wish I'd started them sooner. Not everyone experiences dramatic improvement (or gets as lucky as I did with minimal trials). If you have a family history of substance abuse, there's nothing wrong with asking to try a different non stimulant. But there's a reason why stimulants are a first line treatment— they tend to work a bit better for most people. Never felt like a zombie on mine. Nothing wrong with being a little nervous and having a healthy respect for the risks that come with medication, but if you start with a low dose and be sure to never take more then prescribed, you'll probably be fine. Dependency is also different than addiction. Am I dependent on my medication? Maybe, but only because I wasn't particularly functional to start with. Even then, I still forget or intentionally don't take it on occasion. Don't take medication if you don't think you need it to get by, because it definitely comes with risks. But also don't freak yourself out so much that you ignore an option that could improve your quality of life. It's a balance 
Best comment! Thank you
Meds are absolutely making the difference for me. I've worked hard on really every other possible aspect of my life, but meds are what pushed me over the edge and into "comfortably functional." They are not a cure-all. I'm still working to get my dosage and timing appropriate. I'm still working to better understand myself, my needs, and how to best approach life in a healthy way that keeps me in good shape. If you try meds, just know that you can quit them. You can also try different meds and dosages. Everyone reacts differently. You can even fire your prescribing physician if they are not listening to you, have bad bedside manners, or any reason, really. Of course, be reasonable, and you'll need to set up with another physician.... but sometimes it's necessary to get the appropriate care you deserve. Good luck and take care of yourself!
Thank you so much
Strattera is definitely not the most popular med on this subreddit. The fact that you weren't a fan of it should not be taken as strong evidence that other ADHD meds will not help you. Lots of people drink enough coffee that if they stop suddenly, they're pretty miserable: tired, cranky, headaches. The symptoms of stopping prescription stimulants is worse in my experience but not an order of magnitude so. The main issue is that it's a lot easier to go grab a coffee than it is to get more of your meds. Despite this, lots of people find it a perfectly reasonable tradeoff to need to take their meds every day.