Worried that I'm becoming dependent on taking Vyvanse

You're prescribed it for daily use (though i'm sure you'd have discussed holidays/time off etc with your doc), it's there to manage your symptoms on a day to day basis, there's nothing wrong with taking it daily, the major concern people have with taking it daily is more so tolerance.

if your symptoms interfere with your ability to enjoy yourself even in your free time, then the fact that it allows you too is just a plus

however it does sound like you're using it more for recreational purposes given what you're outlining; i'd reconsider your approach simply in ; don't take it at night, take it earlier in the day... Try to avoid using xanax for the come downs because that will fuel a habituation of 'it's okay to take more shit' which can in turn go down justifications and rationalizations for abuse.

With consistant sleep your life will be far easier to cope with in general, you'll have naturally higher levels of energy, and be a lot more focused throughout the day even if you have difficulty directing it.

Alternatively, take some time off the medication all together and get used to not taking it, I do that from time to time if I catch myself getting carried away with justifications, because I know full well how shit you can feel when the medication is wearing off and have slipped up a few times myself;

just utilize it more effectively; you're already growing a dependence on it if you need to take it to enjoy yourself in the evenings, but the dependence is a double edged sword in that it's both to be expected as well as a bit of a pain in the ass. Take some time off if you want to prove to yourself you can get through things without it to minimize the psychological dependence, but legit

it's medication for your ADHD, it helps you maintain self control in terms of executive function; I wouldn't be too concerned about the fact that you're taking it daily because without it, ADHD being ADHD, you just aren't as capable of functioning at such a level,

there's evidence that suggests consistent use of medication as prescribed can actually (potentially) lead to positive changes in brain structure for ADHD individuals, baring that in mind; I'd argue taking time off medication could interfere with the rate at which those potential changes could occur. I take my medication daily, even if I don't have anything important to do because all though it's fun to be ADHD in some ways, it's debilitating when I can't so much as stay focused on one thing for more than like 20-30 seconds at a time.

/r/ADHD Thread