Advertise on podcast: Living Addy Free (Adderall): Real Stories, Tools, and Support for Thriving Beyond Stimulants

On this episode, I interview Dr. Arthur Lavin, MD, my former pediatrician with 40 years of experience, Co-Chair of Doctors Organized for HealthCare Solutions, and Immediate Past Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on the Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. We explore why he chose not to diagnose me with ADHD as a child, even though I displayed many of the commonly recognized symptoms. His approach goes beyond symptom checklists to look at what may be underneath those behaviors, of which there are 49 possible contributors. In fact, Dr. Lavin co-authored a policy published by the American Academy of Pediatrics outlining 49 different reasons a child may struggle academically. This conversation is a reminder that human beings are complex and cannot be fully understood through a checklist questionnaire. No diagnosis, especially one that leads to powerful, potentially addictive medication, should be made without a deeper understanding of what is truly going on underneath the surface. References: Check out the official policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics, co-written by Dr. Lavin, which sets international standards for the profession of pediatrics and its practice, outlining the 49 root causes that contribute to inattention: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/144/4/e20192520/38485/School-aged-Children-Who-Are-Not-Progressing An Addy Free tool to help with working memory and attention. Brought to the United States by Dr. Lavin himself: https://www.cogmed.com/

Happy first day of spring!A season of new beginnings… and a new season in my Addy Free journey, too. Addy Free began as the resource I wish I had when I was struggling with Adderall and Vyvanse addiction—and while that mission hasn’t changed, this next chapter is bringing me back to the podcast In this short episode, I share the evolution of Addy Free, my personal journey in ADHD medication recovery, and why I’m stepping away from hosting weekly meetings. If there’s one message I hope you take with you, it’s this:Your recovery comes first.You can’t truly help others if you’re not in alignment with yourself. Reflecting on the past few years, the greatest gift has been connection. For anyone navigating stimulant dependency, ADHD medication withdrawal, or life after Adderall, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t happen alone. I also share simple tools that helped me in early recovery:• Telling your story—you never know who you’ll reach• Volunteering—reconnecting with purpose• Walk + talks—building connection through movement Because at the end of the day:Connection is the opposite of addiction. If you're on a journey to live Addy Free, you're not alone

In this episode of the Addy Free Podcast, we sit down with Gavin, our first male coed community member, to share his powerful story of growing up on ADHD stimulant medication and the long-term impact it had on his identity. Prescribed medication at just 10 years old in the early 2000s, what began as treatment slowly turned into addiction and self-medication over the next two decades. Gavin reflects on how being told so young that he needed something outside himself to function shaped his self-worth, coping patterns, and relationship with substances. Now living Addy Free, Gavin shares what it took to break free from stimulant medication, rebuild his identity, and thrive as a husband, father, and member of Addy Free. This episode amplifies male voices often missing from conversations about ADHD medication addiction and recovery. If you or someone you love grew up on stimulant medication and is questioning life beyond it, this episode offers honesty, hope, and a reminder that a new identity is possible.

After 4.5 years living free from Adderall and Vyvanse dependency, I share the single most powerful tool that has kept me—and so many others—Addy Free. You’ll also hear powerful answers from former Adderall users who once believed they couldn’t function without it.

In this special holiday episode, I’m joined by former guest, thriving community member, mom of four, therapist, and ADHD stimulant addiction thought leader Chelsea—who will also be stepping in as a co-host in the new year for short, powerful mini-episodes filled with tools, honesty, hope… and even some fun. On Christmas Eve 2023, Chelsea quit Adderall for good. If you’re a parent—or anyone navigating the chaos of the holidays—you might be wondering why someone would choose the most stressful time of the year to stop ADHD medication. Because the holidays are meant for slowing down—not speeding up. We’re letting go of the perfection, performance, and nonstop productivity that this drug convinces us we need. In its place, we’re choosing presence, connection, love, and a sense of calm—something no pill could ever provide. If you’re questioning your relationship with ADHD medication, navigating stimulant recovery, or craving motivation, strength, and hope this holiday season—this episode is for you.

On this month’s episode of the Addy Free Podcast, we’re welcoming community member Abby—our first active college student and our first international member, joining us all the way from New Zealand. Proof that Adderall and stimulant medication dependency is a global issue. In this episode, Abby shares how the ADHD medication prescribed to help her focus at university—including stimulant drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse—actually led her to fail academically, emotionally, and personally. She opens up about the pressure to perform, the side effects of stimulant use, and how breaking free from a medication she believed she needed helped her manage her ADHD more effectively without stimulants—both in school and in life. In our Addy Free meetings, people often describe Abby as someone who “glows.” Her story is living proof that getting off stimulant medication doesn’t have to be all withdrawal and darkness. Sometimes, recovery becomes empowering, grounding, and deeply rewarding—especially when supported by community, honesty, and self-trust. Referenced resources mentioned: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/int/news-events/news/more-than-meds-why-easier-access-to-adhd-treatment-has-to-be-part-of-a-whole-system-approach/ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a1.htm?utm_source

You might know Jay Mohr from Saturday Night Live, Jerry Maguire, Picture Perfect, or his hit podcast Mohr Stories — but what you might not know is that Jay, like so many of us, was living a secret life behind the success… and the main character was Adderall. In this episode, Jay opens up with honesty and humor about his Addy Free journey — sharing how he found purpose, freedom, and peace beyond the pill. We’re so honored to have him on the Addy Free Podcast and even more excited to continue supporting him as he shows us through his continued success that you can thrive Addy Free.

Happy Friday, Addy Free community! This month on the Addy Free Living podcast, we’re featuring another incredible community member — Chelsea Yule — who’s bravely sharing her story of Adderall addiction and how she came out on the other side, now thriving Addy Free. What I love about having community members on the podcast is that their stories are always so relatable yet completely unique in their own way — and Chelsea’s is exactly that. She’s our first guest to open up about her experience as both a psychotherapist and someone who’s been on the other side — both the diagnoser and the diagnosed. Chelsea took everything she’s learned as a therapist and applied it to create her own treatment plan to get off Adderall — and it worked. She’s now helping others do the same, expanding her already successful therapy practice into her new passion: guiding others to thrive without medication. Tune in now to hear Chelsea’s inspiring story

In this episode of the Addy Free Podcast, a brave Addy Free community member shares her personal story of Vyvanse addiction and recovery — and how it all began with a prescription meant to help her in her struggle with binge eating. Meet Maria — a career woman, wife, mom, and friend, and the first Addy Free community member to share her experience with Vyvanse, not prescribed for ADHD but for ED. She bravely shares how what started as medical treatment slowly turned into reliance, unraveling her relationship with herself, her body, and her sense of control. Maria opens up about: Life before Vyvanse Being prescribed Vyvanse for an eating disorder How dependency developed over time Hitting rock bottom And what life looks like now, coping with her ED Addy Free Her story is raw, honest, and filled with hope for anyone struggling with Vyvanse, stimulant medication dependency, or disordered eating tied to prescription use. This episode sheds light on how easily dependency can form — even when a medication is taken as prescribed — and how recovery is possible. Tune in to hear Maria’s Addy Free journey and discover how ED is managed better without a pill.

Welcome to another episode featuring a professional whose perspective aligns perfectly with Addy Free’s mission—you don’t need medication to thrive. And this time, that message comes from a psychiatrist herself. This conversation may shift how you think about medication—not just our once-faithful (and now retired) friend Addy, but also SSRIs, which many of us are told will help ease the transition into life after Addy. I’ve walked that path myself. Dr. Lee offers a fresh approach, uncovering the root causes of ADHD and showing how to address them holistically—nurturing mind, body, and soul. It’s the approach I now embrace as well. My hope is that you’ll listen with an open mind, trusting the path you’re on and letting go of any shame when it comes to your way of getting off this medication. We’re all doing our best out here, one day at a time—this just offers a new perspective if you feel ready to live fully without pills.   Know that there is no perfect solution, the key is having faith in yourself and your journey. Let yourself learn and evolve, without judgement in yourself and those around you. Be kind. Be proud of yourself.

In this episode of the Addy Free Podcast, I share a short but powerful message with the community as I celebrate 4 years sober from Adderall and stimulant medication. This episode isn’t about everything I’ve learned in recovery—there’s far too much for one conversation—but about one foundational truth in Adderall addiction recovery: the power of keeping a promise to yourself. Whether you’re 4 years, 4 months, 4 days, or 4 hours off Adderall or Vyvanse, every moment you choose not to take a stimulant matters. Each choice builds self-trust, confidence, and momentum—and that momentum is what makes long-term recovery possible. If you’re struggling with ADHD medication dependency, stimulant addiction, or life after Adderall, this episode is a reminder that recovery doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with one promise—and by continuing to show up, you’ll one day look back and realize just how far you’ve come. Keep going. Living Addy Free is possible—and you are not alone.

This month on the Addy Free Podcast, I’m joined by Jesse, a moderator of Stop Speeding, one of the largest online communities focused on stimulant addiction recovery, with over 42,000 members navigating life beyond Adderall, Vyvanse, and other stimulant drugs. Stop Speeding is a recovery-centered, judgment-free space for anyone impacted by stimulant use—regardless of the type of drug, how it was prescribed, or how long it was used. The community is not anti-psychiatry or anti-ADHD medication; it’s pro-recovery, harm awareness, and honest conversation. Members share real-life experiences, peer support, and resources for those struggling with Adderall dependency, stimulant misuse, withdrawal, and rebuilding life after stimulants. In this episode, we explore who Jesse is, how Stop Speeding began, and how this grassroots Reddit forum grew into one of the most trusted online stimulant recovery communities. If you’re searching for support, connection, or hope while living without stimulants, this conversation is for you.

In this powerful episode of the Addy Free Podcast, we sit down with Vitale Buford, author of Addicted to Perfect, to explore her 10-year struggle with Adderall addiction, perfectionism, and the path to lasting recovery. Vitale shares how ADHD stimulant medication—often labeled a “study drug”—slowly became a source of dependency, burnout, and emotional disconnection. What began as a tool for productivity eventually cost her mental health, physical well-being, and sense of self-worth. In this episode, we discuss: How perfectionism and Adderall addiction became deeply intertwined Early warning signs of stimulant dependency The hidden mental and emotional toll of chasing productivity and external success The moment Vitale knew she had to stop taking Adderall—and what recovery looked like next Her 11-year journey living Addy Free Practical tools for healing perfectionism during stimulant recovery How to stop tying your self-worth to performance and achievement Why authenticity—not productivity—is the real measure of success How Vitale now helps others through coaching, leadership development, and speaking This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with Adderall or stimulant addiction, perfectionism, burnout, or the pressure to perform. If you’re questioning your relationship with ADHD medication or searching for freedom beyond productivity, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and real tools for healing.

We've got a lot going on in the Addy Free world... listen if you want to find out!

Here is the instagram post for your reel! when I get the opportunity to interview an Addy Free community member, I prioritize that more than any specialized doctor—because we’ve lived it, and we know what it’s like. That’s why I’m SO excited to have on Hayley Carver, who is officially 11 months Addy Free (we recorded this a month ago). WELCOME 🩵 When I first realized I had a problem with Addy, all I wanted was to find someone else who felt like I did. Was I crazy for thinking I was addicted? Was it normal to take this much just to function? Why did no one else seem as obsessed as me? I just wanted to feel: ✨ Seen ✨ Heard ✨ Validated That’s why I started the Addy Free community—and now, a year and a half later, there are 11 of us, all in different stages of the journey, showing up weekly to support each other. Hayley was one of the first to find this podcast and join the Monday Zooms. Her story is real, relatable, and a powerful reminder that the first year is full of growth—and of facing that inner voice telling you to go back. But you can handle life without Addy. That’s why you’re here. Want to join the weekly Zooms? Mondays @ 8PM EST. DM me @addyfree or visit addyfree.com I hope you love this convo with Hayley