Adrianne’s story: Gaining patience, balance, and energy while living with ADHD

What has living with ADHD been like for you, and how was daily life before treatment?

ADHD has affected me all my life. I had a late diagnosis, about three or four years ago. Having the diagnosis helps because you understand what is going on, but you are still affected by it. Knowing the label does not change the impact.

Before I started medical cannabis treatment with Releaf, it was harder to get up and start the day. I would get up at 7, but not start work until 10. Now, I get to work a lot quicker, which is great. I used to have to deal with energy and concentration dips throughout the day, where I would stare at my monitor and nothing made sense. I was taking half-hour breaks far too often to try to refocus, which was quite annoying, to be honest.

Sleep was also difficult. My ADHD pharmaceutical medication that I had been prescribed outside of Releaf is a stimulant, so it stops me from calming down in the evening. I was constantly on the go, and only getting about five hours of sleep a night, which made me super tired and not really with it during the day.

Had you used cannabis before becoming a patient? What differences have you noticed now?

Yes, I was a long-term recreational cannabis user before I became a legal patient. The differences are pretty stark.

With street-sourced cannabis, you are just getting what you get and hoping it helps. But with my prescribed Releaf medical cannabis, I know exactly what I am getting, and I know that is going to help with my symptoms.

The delivery is great, but it’s the quality of the products that I have been prescribed that really impressed me. I think the quality of the flower is 1000% better than what you get elsewhere. You know where it has been, you know it is fresh, and potentially no one has been exploited while making it. You know what is in it. The team discuss trichomes and other details, so you can tailor it.

I take one in the evening and one in the day, so I can be switched on and focused, or relax to get ready for bed. The oil is awesome. It helps throughout the day, and I notice it a lot if I run out.

Why did you feel Releaf was the right clinic for you?

A lot of it was my brother-in-law’s research. He told me Releaf was the best one, and he was right.

Since then, the aftercare has been great. You can get an appointment anytime, and everyone is really helpful. It has been great. The medical cannabis card also makes you feel more secure.

Signing up was quick and easy. I was surprised at how fast and simple it was. The doctors I have spoken to have been really helpful. They explained everything, and really asked what I wanted and what would help my life, so it is tailored, not “try this and hope.” 

It was stress-free, and there were not a load of forms, which is great for people with ADHD.

And what changes have you noticed since starting tailored medical cannabis treatment?

Cannabis makes me so much calmer. I have struggled a bit with patience with other people for most of my life, and it helps with that so much. I work in insurance as a motor claims handler, and it is all online from home, but even so, patience is key in my line of work.

My cannabis prescription makes it a lot easier to focus and stay calm. I have more patience with other people and with tasks. It gives me the headspace to pause, then deal with whatever it is. Before, I would go straight in and might not be as understanding or pleasant as I could be.

Sleep has also improved. My mornings are easier, and I feel more with it during the day.

How does medical cannabis help you manage your ADHD day to day?

With ADHD, my head is like a constant white-noise crowd sound. Cannabis gives me headspace to think, it goes quiet, and I can ask what I actually want to do, rather than running through constant lists.

Before, I might hoover the floor and do nothing else for six hours. Now I can decide, get tasks done, and carry on. It gives me space and time to do something I enjoy, rather than six hours of cleaning and washing.

I cycle, and I have just bought a paddleboard, which I am excited about. It improves my ability to be out and about. My friends live across the world now, so I spend a lot of time with family and my niece and nephew. It gives me extra patience with the little ones.

I used to live in Bristol, and spent a lot of time in Bath paddleboarding off the weir. It was lush. I am in Southampton now. There is water, so I need to get the board on the bike to the river, and I will be all right.

Have you spoken to friends or family about your treatment?

Yes, I’ve even sent my referral code to a few people. The scheme is great. Even before the refer-a-friend scheme was offered by Releaf, I was telling people to try it. If someone is in pain, I suggest they try this.

No one wants to pump themselves full of codeine all day. I have been prescribed so many different pharmaceuticals over the years, and they all come with side effects, and then you deal with coming off them.

Both the medical cannabis oil and flowerI have been prescribed are consistent. There are no big ups and downs, no “this is not working,” and no nasty side effects. It is consistent, and it works.

Have you used private healthcare before, and how does it compare with the NHS?

Other than some therapy, no, nothing prescription-wise in terms of private healthcare. This is the first time. It is a contrast with the NHS. They have a lot to deal with, and ADHD is not the priority. The wait for diagnosis is now over six years. There has been a big rise, so maybe they need to train more people.

In my honest opinion, I think it is totally ridiculous that the NHS do not offer medical cannabis prescriptions for people with ADHD. There are many types of ADHD, but I feel that so many of them would find it as beneficial as I do.

What hopes or plans do you have for the future, now that you have found a stable treatment option?

Other than lots of paddleboarding, I am managing to excel at work now. I am not just ticking along and doing just enough to be okay. I am excelling, going on training, and taking over specific parts of the team.

Before, I did not have the mental energy. If people asked me to sign up for extra things, I would say no, give it to someone else. I wanted to log off and be done. Now, I am much more engaged, progressing beyond my starter baseline, and having ambition again.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I want to say thank you to the Releaf team. When I have been stressed about prescriptions, everyone has been helpful and calmed me down. Even the online live chat function works brilliantly, which isn’t usually the case.

I do not think Releaf could do anything better. It would be nice to see more stock of the THC vapes, but that is an industry-wide stock issue, not specifically Releaf.

I also read other people’s stories, so I know people do look at them, and it helps to see someone with your condition and think, they are just like me, maybe I will give this a go - which is why I’m sharing mine.

For more information about medical cannabis treatments for the conditions mentioned in this Patient Story, please see medical cannabis for ADHD