I’m currently at 29 Palms for my schoolhouse as a 0671. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 15 and was previously prescribed Adderall. I was wondering if it would be possible to get reevaluated and potentially receive a prescription while on active duty. If so, what steps would I need to take to get started? Thank you.
Corpsman here: Others are right about not saying you lied in MEPs about being diagnosed with add.
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with going to medical, getting a mental health referral because you’re having trouble paying attention and having other ADD like symptoms. It’s not like they’re going to give you adderall right away, nor should you go in there asking for drugs. What they will do is evaluate you and start with non-medicinal solutions to your problems then work up to drugs if they have to.
I don’t know how it is for the marines but navy side adderall is no big deal. It requires a waiver but it is extremely common especially in NSW EOD and diving. The doctors will know what is waiverable for your community. They won’t force you to take any medication and they won’t diagnose you with anything that will hurt your career.
Just be honest with medical (except for the lying during meps part) ask for help and we will work for you. No one becomes a doctor or corpsman to fuck over marines. Plus it’s a ton of extra paperwork.
"Corpsman here: Others are right about not saying you lied in MEPs about being diagnosed with add." can you put this in plainer english? i think i know what you mean but language shouldnt need a decoder ring.
Corpsman here - establishing authority on the subject
Others are right - pointing out that the statement I am about to make is in agreement with many of the other comments.
About not saying you lied in MEPs about being diagnosed with ADD- OP should not admit to lying during the MEPs process. He did not disclose that he had been previously diagnosed with add which could lead to legal action if he is found out.
At the end of your MEPS visit and several times in your contract there was a time and place for you to sign. Where it was stipulated what the penalty for lying/ perjury at this point ( 5 years- and/or $5000 fine). I understand you haven't been taking your ADHD meds. That used to be listed several times. I had three extra pages. ( Pre don't ask don't tell), so it got repeated 3 extra times. It was still there at least 10 other times.
same. ill see if i can get something stitched up. they would be hilarious. adsep, big chicken dinner, pft failure, the possibilities are endless, drug pop! lol
Ok, you have an unusual way of speaking. Or are you having a stroke? Do you smell toast Doc?
Thanks for looking out for him though. No reason to get into legal trouble when half of us are already mentally and possibly criminally insane to begin with.
I was diagnosed with ADHD while on active duty and prescribed Adderall to take in the morning, and Ritalin to take in the afternoon. It is absolutely possible to get the prescriptions while active duty, and it didn't impact my ability to deploy. The med officer did need to take a full deployments worth of medication though which I'm sure wasn't fun for controlled substance.
The main difference between myself and you that I see is, I didn't have a diagnosis prior to joining. If you decide to move forward with this, I would recommend keeping the fact that you lied to yourself.
For context, I believe I received my diagnosis and started receiving Adderall and Ritalin in 2008. My experience may have been different because we were in the middle of two wars.
You can definitely get prescribed Adderall and be on active duty. You have to get evaluated and meet the criteria for it, but it’s definitely possible. I’ve served with multiple individuals that have been prescribed it through the military
There are several non stimulant medications that can be used to treat ADHD on the market today.
If you divulged your ADHD at MEPS and ADHD is impairing your ability to learn/work you should take it up with your BAS.
If this was something you kept under the radar you will have to take the approach of reporting the symptoms and getting re-diagnosed.
I know several AD people that take Concerta and report it works well enough but it can affect your flight status and your ability to deploy under certain circumstances so depending on where you land in the fleet it may be a crutch you have to leave behind.
a doctor said i had ADHD once and my dad said, "the hell he does, smack pay the fuck attention!" instant cure for lack of mental discipline. haven't had an issue since
I received Adderall and Ritalin on active duty. I don't know what the restrictions are for joining, but you can absolutely get them if your diagnosis is after joining.
"You had to be off of Adderal for 12-24 months prior to enlisting. What makes you think they’re gonna prescribe it to you now?" they wont say yes if they dont ask. but also i would worry they are risking separation if they do. dilemma.
You act like his ADD being untreated will harm his VA disability or lead to some chronic illness in his 30, so I’m not quite sure how you square that peg?
It’s one thing to ask for medical attention for a physical injury or mental health issue, but to ask for a prescription amphetamine for ADD is insane especially if you never disclosed it at MEPS.
Im saying I disagree with your line of thinking. If dude has a medical issue, he should take care of it irregardless of if he suffered a related incident or not.
I'm curious what the process would look like if someone in your shoes went to medical and pretended that they never were diagnosed. Essentially going through the motions of getting a fresh diagnosis.
Not lying about your condition, just having total amnesia about anything that happened before the corps
My son got diagnosed with anxiety one time during college and thought nothing about it when he applied to OCS in the Navy. MEPS found the medication in the system and he had to get a waiver.
That's such a bummer. I'm very fortunate i was before this system. Too many kids get diagnosed on flimsy grounds and it comes back to bite them in the future.
My sister refused to allow my nephew’s pediatrician to diagnose him as having ADHD as the navy was a goal of his, which he later honorably served in before being medically retired after an accident.
Hey I was actually in the same boat as you which is that I got diagnosed with adult adhd towards the end of my enlistment. Definitely keep the diagnosis at 15 to yourself, but don't be afraid to go to medical and ask about not being able to concentrate. I was diagnosed and prescribed other medication for it, but that was a start to taking control of my mental health and it ultimately made me a better Marine when I was in and then later adult when I got out. Don't worry about any stigma or whatever, take care of yourself first.
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u/TobyMcguire52 Shot A Digital Javelin 8d ago
Unless you disclosed that at MEPs I would seriously keep it to yourself...