What’s you experience of working with/for Adderall/Ritalin abusers?

Question

I see a pattern where such developers are very active, especially in terms of availability, but software contribution-wise they tend to be long term detrimental. I can get into specifics but I&rsquo;d like to hear other stories first.

high_byte · Accepted Answer

If by abuse you include people who definitely should be taking Ritalin but aren't, then yea it's not pleasant. I can get into specifics but let's face it, it's a per-case basis. in fact I worked with another guy, taking Ritalin daily and smoking weed during lunchtime, two shots of booze seemed to actually sharpen him, I don't even think he noticed. never missed a day the entire time I've worked there.And finally, at the same company as the latter, was a dad of two, probably about 35, doesn't touch any drugs legal or illegal, barely even drinks. always first in the office, spits code like clockwork, fastest learner I've ever seen. I guess having children forces you to prioritize your time. At my next company I'm gonna aim at recruiting 35+ parents.

afarviral · Answer

Lol, ask my colleagues.Since I had an anxiety episode that prompted me to completely quit cold turkey, my coworkers have experienced both the high-on-ritalin and only-caffeinated versions of me a couple years of each. I've genuinely asked if they noticed any change and so far no one has (told me) been aware of one.Other people in my life (like my partner) were well aware of my mood swings, sexomnia and hypnogogic hallucinations.While I sometimes snorted Ritalin in the bathroom I was pretty low on the spectrum of abusers I would think, taking it in bursts and often less than the prescribed 40-60mg a day.

mathematically · Answer

The same can be said for caffeine and nicotine. Adderall/Ritalin users are no worse than caffeine and nicotine users.

shahbaby · Answer

I can see why this would happen.On stimulants you might be too eager to start working on a problem before considering all options.But from my experience, if you're aware of how the medication can distort your thinking, you can counter it with some success.

taf2 · Answer

Extreme productivity followed by long periods of absence

8b16380d · Answer

I think there code would have been regardless of what drugs they take. Ritalin just let&rsquo;s you spit it out faster

What’s you experience of working with/for Adderall/Ritalin abusers?

I see a pattern where such developers are very active, especially in terms of availability, but software contribution-wise they tend to be long term detrimental. I can get into specifics but I’d like to hear other stories first.

The same can be said for caffeine and nicotine. Adderall/Ritalin users are no worse than caffeine and nicotine users.

I can see why this would happen.
On stimulants you might be too eager to start working on a problem before considering all options.
But from my experience, if you're aware of how the medication can distort your thinking, you can counter it with some success.

Extreme productivity followed by long periods of absence

I think there code would have been regardless of what drugs they take. Ritalin just let’s you spit it out faster