Can a soldier take adderall with waiver and prescription without risk to career and drug testing ?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:29:59 -0500

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 10 at 2017 2:34 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 14:34:53 -0500

I served with a guy who was prescribed adderall. He did just fine. He still got drug tested, but the UPL system has checks in place that ensure that a person with a valid script doesn't get hemmed up for it. Just the same as any other medication.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2017 8:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 20:05:45 -0500

BLUF: Yes.

Simply put. If you pop hot on a Urinalysis, the Commander will be notified, and talk to the soldier.

The soldier will then produce the valid prescription, and all issues will end there. Too easy, no punishments, no problems.

The only problems come when a soldier pops up....and does not have a currently valid prescription.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2017 10:11 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 22:11:25 -0500

Absolutely, it's ok, but like someone previously mentioned the Soldier will need to produce a valid prescription for a hot drug test. For deployment a waiver typically required but not hard to get.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 11 at 2017 2:58 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 02:58:27 -0500

OK, here's my take when in my skipper jobs. Prescription, fine. But the issue isn't done. Adderall is primarily used to treat ADHD. The condition isn't by any means rare. Like other issues, if properly managed, you're typically good to go. That doesn't mean the SM and the relevant part of the CoC is ignorant. My push is to make sure there aren't any miscues on SM management through ignorance from anywhere. So my officers and NCOs were tagged to ensure they knew their people and their people are properly cared for. Ensure the SM gets ongoing care, resources, etc. On the SM's part, work hard, be diligent, and a team player. Everyone's a winner.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 3:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 03:35:07 -0500

Are you asking for a friend?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 6:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 18:12:18 -0500

Some people hit around the it, but a medical provider is also included to see if the results are due to a prescription or procedure. The service member doesn’t show his commander the prescription.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 7:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:48:06 -0500

Yes, a Soldier can be prescribed Adderall. They should NOT need a waiver as long as they are getting the prescription from a military doctor. Drug testing would reveal he is taking an amphetamine, but the prescription should absolve him from any other action. If someone tried to give him UCMJ action, he would have a legal ground to rebut. The adderall would have to be prescribed for a legitimate reason: These include: ADHD, ADD, or issues with concentration or memory or focus. I know all this because I was prescribed adderall for some time (Moderate to Severe Adult ADD caused by TBI)

Response by SGT Randy Powers made Dec 12 at 2017 10:12 AM

SGT Randy Powers — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 10:12:21 -0500

Yes. I was on it. Tested plenty of times. When I was tested my medical records where checked, all prescriptions are listed there, no notification was ever given to commander.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 1:29 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 13:29:12 -0400

As long as the drug has been prescribed to that soldier it will not affect his career

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made May 17 at 2020 11:21 AM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 17 May 2020 11:21:31 -0400

My son was diagnosed ADD after his first Afghanistan deployment, he now takes Adderol He said it gives him the ability to concentrate and produce more work. He’s on profile for problems with his foot that he tore ligaments, not for the Adderol. He’s since reenlisted, deployed again to Korea and in on track for E7 well under 10.

Response by 1SG Wesley Ernst made May 17 at 2020 11:37 AM

1SG Wesley Ernst — Sun, 17 May 2020 11:37:45 -0400

The only thing is if an SM is abusing the drug. More in their system than prescribed.

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made May 17 at 2020 1:00 PM

PO2 Seth Carron — Sun, 17 May 2020 13:00:47 -0400

Best course of action is whenever you get any prescription, whether it's an opioid painkiller, Adderall, ect is to immediately forward a copy to your medical records. When you go for urinalysis, write in the comments section "see medical records". Did that when I had a prescription for hydrocodone after I tore my rotator cuff. Never even heard a word from my chain of command.

Response by Pvt Mike Bradshaw made May 18 at 2020 2:44 AM

Pvt Mike Bradshaw — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:44:34 -0400

Dextroamphetamine and others have been used on critical missions including US Navy flight missions. If there is a need for sure if it's a permanent need like fur ADHD or narcolepsy, perhaps?