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Hey everyone, "M" here. Just registered after finding this particular topic via Google, and while I realize that the topic is now 5 months old, I felt that I should get involved with this particular discussion given my history, and how Adipex, over an extended amount of time, eventually led to a relapse.

From about 2001 - 2007, I was a crystal methamphetamine user. At first, my use was casual, social if you will, and for the better part of my first year of use, I felt as though I had a grasp on it, and had the situation under control. Well as most of you know, and as any addict will tell you, Meth has a way of sneaking up on you and taking over. My use quickly turned from social and recreational, to an everyday habit. A habit that cost me my job, my car, friends, the trust of my family, my fiance, and if not for the helping hand of a fellow recovering addict in my family, my addiction would have very well cost me my home.

In August of 07', when I finally realized what I was doing to myself, as well as the others around me. I succumbed to my fiances wishes at that time, and sectioned myself into a state run, 90 day rehabilitation facility. Following the 90 days, I spent another 30 days in a halfway house. Thanks to the wonderful people at the house, I was able to get back into my field of work, eventually get back on my feet, and get my life back on track.

While the remainder of 07', and much of 08', I was able to remain clean and sober, I saw what was beginning to become rapid weight gain. It got to the point where none of my clothes fit me anymore, my self-esteem and self image was at an all time low, and despite my best efforts at exercise and healthy eating, I could just not seem to shed the added weight.

That's when I went to see my Doctor.

Well aware of my situation, and the fact that I was a recovering Methamphetamine user, my doctor prescribed me Adipex-P, 37.5mg He explained the risks involved for someone such as myself, and that this drug was a narcotic stimulant, containing Phentermine, and that the risk of abuse was there. Now at this time I had closed in on 1 year sober, had no desire to use, nor was I putting myself into situations where I felt I would relapse, and therefore I took the prescription down to the local pharmacist to get filled, and begun taking Adipex.

Now I vaguely remember the first time taking it, feeling a very light "buzz" if you will, the only way I can really explain it, is that it were as if I had taken an Adderall, or Ritalin; however the problem was that it did very little to suppress my appetite. However this very light "high" if you will, was enough to send me into a downward spiral. My prescribed 2 pills (37.5mg) a day, as needed, quickly became 3 or 4, as needed, which eventually led to 3 or 4 at a time, until it got to the point where I would fill my prescription, which at the time was for 30 pills, and those were only good to last me a day or two.

No longer would my doctor refill the prescription as I was making up stories 3 to 4 times a month about how I "lost" the prescription, or "spilled the pills", and now, completely addicted to Phentermine, I found myself with a doctor who would not in good faith write me a prescription for it anymore, and given my past, my initial reaction was to turn to "street speed". Now when I say "street speed", I'm refereeing to pills such as Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine. Around my neck of the woods, Crystal Meth isn't exactly something that's easy to come by, nor does it come cheap. While on the other hand the aforementioned pills are all easily accessible, and affordable. Determined not to relapse and begin smoking crystal again, I stuck with Dexedrine for just over a month.

Now during all of this madness, I was still able to maintain my job, despite the total lack of sleep. I was seeing the weight loss I was originally looking for when I first sought after my doctors advice, and to anybody on the outside looking in, I was doing just fine. That was of course until January 2nd of this year, when I had my relapse.

In the midst of coming down off of Adderall and Dexedrine, desperate to avoid the "crash" from the now 4 month binge I had been on, I caved in, and had a full relapse, still not fully understanding that I had relapsed months prior when I begun abusing prescription stimulants. I spent the next 4 days in my home, smoking crystal. I had turned off all the phones, I didn't bother to show up for work, which to that point had been going great for me, and I quickly found myself in the worst shape I have ever been in addiction wise.

On February 3rd, 2009, I checked myself into a private care, 18 day detox center, which was then followed up by 5 months in yet another halfway house, before I was eventually integrated back into the work world in August of this year, and moved back into my home, which to this day I consider a miracle to still have in my possession. I can happily say that I am back working, doing what I love to do, and have just over 6 months of sobriety under my belt, but as everyone here knows, it's a constant struggle. And I can't help but wonder if I would have relapsed had it not been for Adipex.

I realize that I've ranted and raved quite a bit here, and maybe this isn't the place or avenue in which to really go this in depth on my personal situation. But the fact of the matter is that Adipex is a prescription stimulant, and a recognized narcotic, which is often abused, and can often lead to a relapse.

As addicts, regardless of your drug of choice, by nature we have addictive personalities. And I found that my addictive personality was in full effect when exposed to Adipex. So really, this is just a warning to not just recovering speed addicts, but even current users. Unless under extensive medical care, and constant watch. Trying to offset the effects of detoxing from one narcotic, by using another, can lead you right back down the road of abuse.

- "M"