the happiness prescription
WHILE ON ADDY
When I was addicted to Adderall and Vyvanse, I experienced an all-consuming obsession with the drug. It was the first thing I thought of when I woke up and the last thing I thought of when I went to sleep. Naturally, this left no room for anyone or anything else. My sole focus was on the needs and desires to achieve success and maintain the weight Adderall and Vyvanse gave me.
I’m not going to lie to you and say that this stage of my life was all horrible. I WAS successful and I WAS skinny. But deep down, I was miserable, and to feel better, what did I do? I took Adderall and Vyvanse, and the cycle continued.
Self-centeredness often accompanies addiction as a common symptom. The drug convinces us that it's essential for our survival, leading us to prioritize it over everything, even our relationships with others. I vividly recall a time when I ran out of Adderall and Vyvance for the month. The desperation I felt in that moment compelled me to steal a friend's Adderall. In that critical instance, I chose to prioritize Adderall over my moral compass, ultimately resorting to stealing, something I never thought I would do.
WHILE AT REHAB
It's logical, therefore, that one of the primary focuses during my time in rehab was centered around serving and helping others. The 12 steps, which are fundamental principles in addiction treatment, delve into various themes. They provide a structured approach to addressing issues tied to alcoholism, drug addiction, and behavioral compulsion. Emphasizing the significance of serving others and offering support to fellow members in recovery programs, these steps became integral aspects of what I learned in rehab.
The primary focus lies in conveying the message of recovery to those still grappling with addiction, and the act of helping others constitutes an integral part of the broader recovery process. Many individuals in recovery discover that by serving others and offering assistance to fellow members, they not only fortify their own sobriety but also contribute to the sense of community and shared purpose within the fellowship. Serving others is viewed as a means to reinforce the principles learned in the steps and to give back to the community that has played a crucial role in their recovery.
ME CULTURE
I struggled with various feelings of shame when reflecting on the times I prioritized Adderall and Vyvanse over others without even realizing it. Most people who have faced addiction do, that’s why there is a dedicated week in rehab known as "shame week," aimed at understanding shame and coming to terms with it.
My goal here isn’t to make you feel shame. As a human being immersed in a culture fixated on self-image, self-achievement, and self-promotion, this fixation on self-centeredness is, in itself, an addiction. According to the frequently quoted book, "The Craving Mind," the same brain region that activates when someone uses any drug of abuse is also stimulated when people talk about themselves.
Similar to all addictions, focusing on oneself can cause harm rather than benefit. The authors of "Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself" highlight that our self-serving culture has left us feeling isolated and empty, contributing to an anxiety epidemic.
Research indicates that individuals who exclusively focus on themselves may experience negative outcomes in various measurable metrics, including physical and mental health, emotional well-being, and professional success. This is because, as a species and as individuals, we are biologically designed to help each other and reap benefits from serving others. The idea that competitive gladiator-style survival of the fittest behavior is evolutionary is, in fact, incorrect. Evolution favors cooperation and helping.
THAT OF THE PAST
Now that I'm living Addy Free, the space in me that was once occupied by Adderall and Vyvanse is now open to others. Don't get me wrong; I won't claim to be Mother Teresa. Just because I'm off Adderall and Vyvanse doesn't mean I'm not a typical 20-something female who doesn't grapple with vanity and self-serving tendencies. However, I now have the capacity and the opportunity to gradually shift that and strive to become a better person.
LIVING ADDY FREE
I encourage you, while you’re in your first year of adjusting to life without Addy, to make room for serving others. Not only will it provide perspective during a time when you can wallow in self-pity from having gained weight, but it actually is scientifically proven to make you a happier and healthier person.
YOUR NEW PRESCRIPTION
Serving Others RX
Suggested by: Addy Free
Benefits:
Longer lifespan
Better control of blood pressure
Fewer Cardiovascular events, like heart attacks and strokes
Better functional status in the elderly
Less chronic inflimation
Sower aging
Better willpower and physical stamina
More energy
Better sleep
Less depression
Less anxiety
