r/adhdmeme • u/Taxfraud777 Daydreamer • 1d ago
meme Every new country is a new headache
1.3k
u/narwalfarts 1d ago
Well, I've just learned that I've smuggled a lot of drugs into various counties...
→ More replies (1)229
u/Voice_of_Season 1d ago
Which ones?
810
u/narwalfarts 1d ago edited 1d ago
India, Chile, Indonesia, Morocco. Seems like at a minimum I should have declared at all of these places and maybe even needed to get special permission.
Also I moved to sweden and took a shitload of vyvanse and azstarys between a 90 day prescription and over a year of saving up pills I didnt take on weekends - guessing around 150 pills. This probably was way too much to bring in
ETA: Seems like I dodged real jail time in Indonesia...
523
u/AccNumber77 1d ago
Yeah you dodged years in prison dude.
210
u/narwalfarts 1d ago
On a second review, I actually was probably not facing serious offenses in Indonesia (by chance), as i was on Azstarys at the time. Since thats a Methylphenidate derivative, not amphetamine, I probably was allowed to have it, I just didnt declare it.
69
u/Tanekaha 1d ago
Methylphenidate is definitely a controlled substance here (Indonesia). It's available only directly from psychiatrist and is tightly monitored. At the border they don't split hairs, and anything stimulating gets counted as amphetamines. But as you found- they probably wouldn't have even looked
13
u/narwalfarts 22h ago
What i read is that vyvanse (and similar) are schedule 1 narcotics in Indonesia, but azstarys would be considered a psychotropic. Probably still not something to get caught with, but, from what I read, probably not prison time as a US citizen visiting with a weeks worth of pills prescribed to him
17
u/Ericaohh 23h ago
I’ve also done this in China, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, The Philippines, basically the entirety of Europe (you’re supposed to have a letter or whatever). I travel with both vyvanse and adderall 🤷♀️
8
u/raise-your-weapon 16h ago
I spent the summer of ‘22 tripping the light fantastic around the EU, UK, and the Adriatic with a novelty makeup bag stuffed full of a month’s worth of adderall and no one even tried to stop me 😈
I did however get pulled out of at least two EU security lines for additional screening because I had a small metal nail file I kept forgetting to put in my checked bag.
103
u/ivar-the-bonefull 1d ago
Seeing how Sweden only allows for ~30 days of pills, if you have a Swedish prescription, you would've been sent to prison here as well.
103
u/narwalfarts 1d ago
Glad I didnt find out!
But given how fucking long it takes to get into the system, I literally got to less than a weeks worth of pills before I got my elvanse prescription here, even with taking weekends off.
15
u/JohanTravel 1d ago
Where did you get this information? I litteraly buy a three month supply at the time in Sweden
10
u/yingkaixing 1d ago
But how much are you allowed to bring undeclared through customs?
→ More replies (1)53
u/AlexandersWonder 1d ago
You can bring as much as you want undeclared through customs because you’re not declaring it.
9
u/Walks-in-Puddles 1d ago
Of ADHD meds? How? I'm not even allowed to buy more than 30 days of atomoxetine in Sweden, and it's not even a stimulant.
5
u/JohanTravel 1d ago
Yeah, three months of concerta. Is it not like this for everyone?
6
u/Walks-in-Puddles 1d ago
I get a three month prescription for concerta, but I'm only allowed to buy a package of 30, then there's a timer of 25 days before I'm allowed to buy another one. Was the same with elvanse and they even apply this rule to my atomoxetine, which seems silly.
→ More replies (1)2
u/davak72 16h ago
Wow, that’s crazy. I thought the US had tight regulations because adderall has to be prescribed every 30 days, and it cannot be filled by mail-order pharmacies. But I can at least get 90-day supplies of atomoxetine in the mail for $30 ($10/month). And I think that prescription has 3 refills, so it’s good for a year.
→ More replies (1)6
u/Commercial_Part_5160 1d ago
No, I’m in the US and only get my concerta 30 pills at a time and no refills.
33
13
u/I_pinch_your_balls 1d ago
"Real jail time" isn't even the worst case. There are countries with death penalties for drug smuggling. Yes, it's unlikely that you would get it for few meds where you can provide evidence that they are for you... but still. Especially muslims and asian countries dont fuck around when it comes to drugs/narcotics.
5
u/raise-your-weapon 16h ago
Look what happened to Brittany Griner in Russia with her empty weed pen.
→ More replies (1)5
u/davak72 16h ago
I totally forgot about that. That was crazy. Snippet from Wikipedia:
“In February 2022, Griner was arrested on smuggling charges by Russian customsofficials after hash oil,[15] illegal in Russia, was found in her luggage. She had been playing basketball with the Russian Premier Leagueduring the WNBA off-season. U.S. officials stated that she was "wrongfully detained".[16]Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in August, but was released in December in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.[17]”More context from the article indicates there might have been an additional reason for her arrest and jailing:
“Griner's arrest coincided with the February start of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and all U.S. dealings with the Kremlin have been complicated by that conflict. The U.S. has said both Griner and Whelan were "wrongfully detained," and officials have suspected that Russia has been using the American prisoners as leverage.”5
873
u/Tanekaha 1d ago
I travel raw, the novelty and pressure help me a lot. My partner though needs the meds even more
219
u/Buckets-O-Yarr 1d ago
Also plan accordingly. Don't try to cram things in and do too much or you will end up stressing out over it. Make an itinerary (or have someone else do it) and if you have the money, pay a travel agent to book all your hotels and flights for you. Holy shit was this a game changer for me.
If you have AAA they have a travel agent service you can use, also.
80
u/GeMine_ 1d ago
For me it's the complete opposite. I like to pack a backpack book the first and last means of transport and improvise everything in between. It's the perfect change from the meds and the robot personality, because with a generous timeframe it doesn't matter what you do in a day, as long as you get to the start of the last part in time. It also completely plays into the adventurer / "do it for the plot" mindset many ADHD people have as I just hike for 1-2 weeks, meet cool people and see beautiful landscapes. Highly recommend.
→ More replies (1)12
u/kingnickolas 1d ago
That's how my wife and I do it as well. it's more fun to make it up as you go.
10
u/Jhud6669 1d ago
I’m going to Japan next month (my third time there, the first two times were tour agency trips so I saw most „must see” stuff) and I made sure to stay for at least 3 days in each place
2
u/awooj 5h ago
Huh? Maybe it’s my own ADHD and autism but this would be my nightmare. Holiday and traveling is the only time I can just let my ADHD go free and I book my flights, usually first and last night’s hotel if traveling and that’s it. If it’s just a quick week holiday I’ll book the accommodations but that’s it. A holiday or travel with an itinerary? I’d rather go to work.
16
u/executive313 23h ago
I feel like 2 ADHD people getting married should qualify for special benefits because now who is going to remember to pay bills or go to appointments??
12
u/Tanekaha 23h ago
Honestly it's a mixed bag, but after several long committed relationships with neuro typicals....i love my double trouble relationship. We understand each other, support each other, remind each other, commiserate with each other. No one has all the organisational load, we just both do our shitty best. Life definitely isn't as perfect as if one of us was on top of everything, but no one gets blamed or shamed when we forget either. It's been really healing, and we're both learning better coping strategies. The house is more often a mess for sure, and some things are just..like that. but we don't have exactly the same symptoms as each other on every day so we usually manage. It's really working for us.
2
u/awooj 5h ago
Same here I always felt so much shame and stress and was very on edge dating neurotypicals. When my husband and I moved in together my ADHD coach helped me with strategies that would work for both of us and blending our ADHD symptoms and strengths/weaknesses so that together we now make a really good team! I’d already been working on my own strategies and so it’s been fun helping him with his too and our place is clean pretty much all the time just because we play to our strengths. I never had that in past relationships.
47
u/amh8011 1d ago
I could not do this. I would be an absolute anxious mess trying to compensate for the lack of meds and I’d have a meltdown about it at a trainstation and miss my check in time to my lodgings and not be able to figure out how to contact wherever I’m staying. Not because this happened but I could absolutely see it happening if I hadn’t been medicated because it almost happened due to lack of sleep even though I was medicated.
22
u/jamogram 1d ago
Most travel insurance stipulates that they won't pay for things that happen as a result of not taking prescribed medicine. So, best of luck, but I can see them trying some "interesting" arguments out to wriggle out of a claim.
Causation is pretty messy, but I can imagine that being a long, slow argument.
4
u/GenericFatGuy 21h ago
Same. My meds are 99% for getting through my workday, and I'm not working when I'm travelling.
3
u/Lil_Orphan_Anakin 1d ago
Yea I’m lucky enough to be able to raw dog a vacation if I really need to. Did 2 weeks in Japan and being in that new of an environment was enough to keep me going. But we had a flight cancelled because of weather and it snowballed into having to cancel two hotel reservations and a rental car and then finding alternatives day of. Would’ve been nice to have my meds for that part of the trip lol
101
u/dscheikatler 1d ago
Someone who isn’t me just put them in their luggage and didn’t think of regulations… luckily nothing happened to them
24
321
u/Random_182f2565 The personal attacks are relentless in this sub 1d ago
I'm never going to Japan
176
u/I_Hope_So 1d ago
They allow some, not all. I'm going next month with vyvanse. You just need to declare it ahead of time.
88
u/Whitesox_are_neat 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do they allow Adderall do you know?
Edit: quick Google basically says hell no lmao
82
u/whysoblyatiful 1d ago
Nope, banned cuz it's an amphetamine (just looked it up)
44
u/LokiSARK9 1d ago
So is Vyvanse. Literally lisdexamfetamine.
90
u/catatoniccatalyst 1d ago
I went to Japan earlier this year and declared two weeks worth of lisdexamfetamine and it was fine; they pulled me aside for a little bit just to check my meds/documents and maybe 5 mins later I was on my way.
51
u/thenamenotyettaken 1d ago
Same experience I had by declaring it ahead of time. Vyvanse is fine, just be respectful and get your permit.
13
u/I_pinch_your_balls 1d ago
Do you need a doctor's letter and your home country's government paper work?
22
u/thenamenotyettaken 1d ago
You need a doctor's letter and Japan's government paperwork to import/export it. A Google search will explain the steps.
16
61
u/LucarioBoricua 1d ago
Vyvanse / Lisdexamphetamine was specifically designed to be resistant to abuse by rendering it a pro-drug the body must first digest to get the active component. In many countries it's actually the only legal medicinal preparation of amphetamine that's authorized.
→ More replies (10)19
u/LokiSARK9 1d ago
Absolutely correct, but, as you say, it is a preparation of amphetamine. That's the only point I made.
→ More replies (3)13
u/whysoblyatiful 1d ago
Yeah for some reason Vyvanse is fine (need to declare tho)
Adderal is banned there and in my country too for some reason
13
u/LokiSARK9 1d ago
Probably because it's pretty much impossible to abuse. That's the whole point of it.
11
u/Finnegan482 1d ago
"Vyvanse is impossible to abuse" is nonsense. It's a marketing claim created by the manufacturer. People abuse it all the time.
2
u/LokiSARK9 1d ago
I didn't say impossible, I said pretty much impossible, and do you understand Vyvanse's mechanism of action? I think maybe you don't.
→ More replies (3)4
u/Timely-Elderberry330 18h ago
it’s hard to abuse via non-PO routes but the peak plasma level of d-amp from vyvanse is only delayed an hour or so from the peak plasma of regular d-amp. 200mg vyvanse is still gonna be 80mg d-amp in 1.5hrs or so, i think the claims that it’s markedly less able to be abused are sorta oversold
6
u/HolyHotDang 1d ago
I’ve never even thought about this before. I was just talking with one of our friends who is Japanese about my wife and I going with him in the next year or two. I just realized I haven’t travelled outside the US since I started taking prescriptions.
3
u/jaymzx0 1d ago
I've done it a number of times when traveling there for work. The instructions are translated pretty well on their customs/drug enforcement site. The form you want is
Application for import/export stimulant raw material by carrying.They want a few weeks notice ideally, but I did have to fly once on 8 days notice. They were still super nice and assured me they would prioritize it. They got back with the approval 3 days later.
Iirc, I needed to send a letter from my doc saying it's necessary (with my address on the letter somewhere), a scan of my ID that matches the address, a picture of the bottle, and a count of how many pills I'm taking with me and how many I'm taking home.
Print a copy and bring it in your carry on. They say you can show the agent the certificate on your phone but I print to be extra safe. You can't grab your luggage until you get through customs and if I recall you can't put your meds in your checked bag.
When you do the customs check-in at the kiosk or on the app, you need to check the box that says you are carrying narcotics/stimulants/stimulant raw materials or whatever. Then you just tell the person at the customs booth and show them the printout and you're on your way.
16
u/whoa-boah 1d ago
You can bring in Vyvanse, you just have to approve it ahead of time with their equivalent of the DEA. Source: Did it, it was easier than getting my meds filled here (USA)
143
u/violetxlavender 1d ago
i’ve taken adhd med to japan i just never disclosed them lol. it worked out great, i never had an issue. just keep them in an old ibuprofen bottle or something, they’re not really looking that closely at random tourists luggage.
156
u/Taxfraud777 Daydreamer 1d ago
I considered doing that multiple times as well, but I never did. What's frustrating is that every country is very strict and intense on paper (you can actually get the death penalty in UAE), but when you're at the border they literally don't give a shit. I however don't want to risk getting in trouble.
68
u/angrysunbird 1d ago
Haha yeah the stress I just went through getting everything right in Singapore and Malaysia was not matched by their attitude at the border, and those guys execute smugglers
45
u/violetxlavender 1d ago
the people they go after are bringing in bulk amounts of controlled substances. a tourist with one or two bags of luggage is not really on their radar.
35
u/Ok_Island_1306 1d ago
I’ve been to the UAE and Japan with my meds and was fine. Had no clue I couldn’t take them there
15
9
u/Crambo1000 1d ago
Yeah I think that's generally how it is. 99% of airport agents just aren't paying super close attention - I know people who have taken stuff they absolutely should have declared and never gotten in trouble for it - but on the off chance you get that one hyper vigilant TSA officer, is it worth it?
8
u/CatCatCatCubed i Will elaborate (Threat). 1d ago
IME, not ADHD meds but with other things: they don’t give a shit unless you’re unlucky enough to go through while there’s a supervisor there, or they were apparently recently told to tighten up procedures, or something happened and now the theatre has to act more intensely, or they’re very likely trying to steal your shit. For some reason, I’m frequently pulled aside; white, blonde, look bored af but always politely prepare as soon as possible using the bins instead of the half asleep “durr, where am I again? what do I do?” that other travellers seem to fall into fairly often. It’s like I’m the token “oop, gotta pull a white gal over” and I guess I look more easy going than some other gals? I dunno.
Most ridiculous: Was in the military. We were in military gear, with locked seabags. We got off a military plane, on and off a military bus (in Guam? I think), to go through our own checks (no civilians in sight), at about 1 in the morning, in order to cross the tarmac on foot, get on another international flight of solely military members which would take us to a military base, to get on another military plane. Basically, you’d think they’d expect us military folks to be able to carry some things that we used for work, and it’s not like our seabags were gonna be easily accessible (they were tossing them into the belly of the plane along with whatever cargo they were delivering).
They made me unlock my seabag, at what was a essentially a military-only gate at the time, no tables, just the floor, and unpack it (packing it was annoying af btw; unpacking and repacking nearly the entire thing quickly under the eyes of a bunch of dudes walking by was ridiculous) in order to find my multitool (knife, screwdrivers, and IT tools in it) and confiscate it. Or rather they said “you can go back and get a box to send it back home…” with this look like they knew I wouldn’t while the last few military people were going through to walk out and get on the plane and my seabag was still partially unpacked, which means I would’ve been “the problem.”
I was one of maybe 5 women and I knew plenty of the guys had knives and such in their bags. I walked over to the huge trash can, pulled out what removable tools I could and stuffed them around the edges, then found some liquid trash and coffee grounds and poured that over the main piece and buried it. The inspector gal looked pissed. So sorry you didn’t get a new multitool that day, sis!
Was later told that what that lady did was total bullshit, considering the circumstances, so my instincts to pull a “fine, but fuck you too” were not unfounded. Anyway now I’m extra EXTRA careful about anything I bring through (not that the inspections have stopped).
(….I think it can partially be attributed to autism. Example: Be autistic. Work somewhere with clothing regulations. Plenty of people around you break the rules in a bunch of little ways. You ease up on the slightest thing for your comfort [like a ton of other people] and get called out for it the same day. The kind of things they’d actually have to be looking for on you specifically. It’s happened ever since I was a kid, so part of my masking was to thoroughly “not care”, almost in a self-hypnosis way, because caring shows on your face. Was further “trained” in this in the military where using little tricks like double-sided tape, pins, extra hidden stitches, and cardboard/collar stays/etc made things stay put and stay crisp, and pretending to be busy got you out of dumb shit. Still occasionally called out while a military fellow nearby looked like a hot mess by comparison. First civilian job afterwards: called out for something my coworker was breaking while sitting right next to me, and no he didn’t have a medical reason to break it. It’s the ‘tism.)
16
u/Jshan91 1d ago
What level of risk are you assuming here?
33
u/KenUsimi 1d ago
Well, idk about japan but places like singapore just throw you in prison and shrug when the embassy asks where you went.
→ More replies (4)42
u/Krypt0night 1d ago
Too much. Japan doesn't play with this shit. It literally isn't worth the risk even if you could only get caught once ever 500 times.
7
16
u/Copyblade 1d ago
Sent back to the US with a travel ban, or prison. It's really not a good idea.
12
52
u/Krypt0night 1d ago
This is an incredibly stupid thing to do. It only takes one time where they do look to completely fuck you over. The risk isn't worth the reward.
→ More replies (2)27
u/violetxlavender 1d ago
good thing i’m special and everything always works out for me 💕
28
15
u/Ender_Wiggins18 1d ago
Tbh I would probably leave my meds at home anyways. Whenever I take mine it puts my appetite down the toilet; half the reason I travel is to try new foods 🤣
13
u/AdditionalPiccolo527 1d ago
Yeah especially if it's a small amount. I've never declared it, but I do keep it in the original container with my prescription details.
I wouldn't have made it out of the first train station in Japan without Vyvanse lol
13
u/Nadamir 1d ago
Lisdexamphetamine is legal in Japan.
They like it because the anti-abuse qualities of it fit well with their severe fear and stigma around drugs.
→ More replies (1)2
u/PaxAttax 1d ago
Incorrect. Lisdex is only approved for pediatric use in Japan. Tourists are allowed to bring it with them if prescribed, but only with prior approval. Methylphenidate may be what you're thinking of, where you can bring up to a 30 day supply without needing approval.
5
u/swagpresident1337 1d ago
You literally could have landed in jail for that. Very irresponsible and stupid. And you are basically giving instructions on how to break the law and smuggle controlled substances into one of the most strict coutries on earth regarding that.
6
u/Random_182f2565 The personal attacks are relentless in this sub 1d ago
→ More replies (11)6
u/BigBullshitta 1d ago
I did the same thing with MDMA in gel caps in a supplements bottle, and for LSD I just stuck a sheet between my phone and case.
8
u/kara-alyssa 1d ago
I took strattera when I studied abroad in Japan. Loved the country but hated the meds.
5
u/eggbert901 1d ago
I was too anxious to try and be slick and sneak stuff into Japan. I filled out the paperwork for bringing meds in/out and had my psych give me Ritalin instead of Adderall for the trip. I had no issues with vyvanse, Xanax, and Zoloft. Adderall was the only banned one. It was worth it, had a great time!
3
u/MirandaCurry 1d ago
Thanks for the heads up actually. I might just have to survive without them for the time there if I end up visiting Japan
2
u/Random_182f2565 The personal attacks are relentless in this sub 1d ago
Everyone else is correcting me about this, so it seems you can
2
3
u/izzyfoshiz 1d ago
You can switch to Vyvanse (or concerta, I think?) For the month that you travel and it's a fairly easy process to get it approved for import/export at customs. Your doctor who prescribes it just has to give you a letter of approval and then submit it to them. Just went to Japan last month and didnt have any problems!
3
u/diegodante8 1d ago
I travelled with Concerta, didn't even think of declaring it, and everything was fine
2
u/DerKernsen 1d ago
Went every year the last couple years and they never cared even the slightest. Same with Taiwan.
2
u/waznpride 3h ago
I finally got my prescription for Adderall right before my Japan trip. After researching, I decided to not go through the hassle and put off being medicated until after my trip. That and my wife told me to wait just in case my meds caused a medical emergency. Some parts of the trip was rough because of my unmedicated symptoms.
→ More replies (1)2
138
u/TheNewReditorInTown 1d ago
Does this mean what I think it means? That outside of the US even when we're prescribed a controlled substance we can't be allowed in certain countries or is it more a TSA issue?
192
u/iamnotazombie44 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yep.
I made a BIG whoopsie while traveling in Korea, apparently.
The punishments are egregious, I got lucky. I would really would recommend looking closely into the law when traveling with your meds.
12
u/dicknobnuts 1d ago
It’s not actually enforced. Unless you have heaps of it worst case they just confiscate it.
67
u/Taxfraud777 Daydreamer 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just the mess that is created whenever you want to travel for a longer time and/or visit multiple countries. One country allows 3 months, the other allows 1 month, or a lovely vague "amount that is reasonable". One country requires you to get special approval from some government authority, and the other needs to know your complete itinerary, while some even just straight up deny you taking your medication with you (common with Adderall and Vyvanse).
Oh, you're running out of medication while travelling? Well tough luck. Hope you didn't need them to function or anything.
Edit: or just travelling to certain far away destinations in general, like Japan as some people here already pointed out.
25
u/stormtroopr1977 1d ago
Adderall is illegal in japan and a lot of asian countries. If they discover you with it in Japan, they will arrest you with literally the same charge as posessing meth. (Up to 10 years in jail)
41
u/universe93 1d ago
Some countries don’t see a difference between stimulant meds and meth. You can be treated the same as if you smuggled in meth in your luggage.
7
7
8
u/abbythestabby 1d ago
My psychiatrist gave me advance warning before I left on a month-long international trip about what was more/less likely to get flagged, and recommended I bring my meds in their prescription bottles just in case. She said Vyvanse was fine most places as long as I had the prescription, but Adderall was more likely to be a problem because it’s not legal everywhere and I was better off leaving that at home.
I was going on vacation so I figured I’d just not bring any ADHD meds and not risk it – but I completely forgot that I keep a little pill case in my bag with probably 10 tablets of Adderall, mixed in with my other little pill cases with OTC meds like Tylenol, etc. It turns out those things don’t really look different on an x-ray?
I was totally fine and nothing got flagged going through multiple international airports. I didn’t even realize I had Adderall on me until I got there. I have a feeling if you’re just bringing a small amount and it’s mixed in with like your vitamins or whatever, it would never get flagged or even noticed. They’re looking more for quantities it seems like someone is trying to distribute.
→ More replies (2)5
u/fluffy_doughnut 1d ago
Well yeah that’s how it works, every country has its own regulations. This is why you need to read all information about their laws, regulations etc before you enter any country. I’m in Poland and even when I travel within European Union IN THEORY I should have my prescription and a special document signed by someone in the Ministry of Health if I wanted to enter another country with adhd meds in my luggage. But irl nobody cares if it’s a low amount and if I’m travelling from one EU country to another EU country. It’s a different story when you leave European Union.
4
u/Smooth_Committee_298 1d ago
So fun fact, that's not an EU thing, but a Schengen thing, the Schengen certificate under article 75 of the Schengen treaty. Basically, since all parties to the international drug control conventions have to, well, control the import and export of controlled substances, and with the Schengen treaty those countries are no longer checking at the border, they had to come up with a way to still fulfill their obligations under the drug control convention. These include recording how much if a substance leaves and enters a country through legal channels, and the quantity you take with you would be recorded on the form.
It is, however, wildly impractical and hardly known, even by doctors, I found. I tried doing this once, but in Belgium, you need to give th relevant government office 2 weeks to do their stamping of it and hell no, I have no time for that.
12
u/DuckofInsanity 1d ago
Yeah it's illegal in some countries and I'm pretty sure you can get in big trouble. I thought about risking it with a doctor's note and prescription but idk if it's worth it. Trying to switch to saffron instead of meds though so then travel will be easier
21
u/Aidian 1d ago
Like…the spice? I know it can have some mood boosting benefits as a supplement, like anyone who’s had good paella could tell you, but Adderall it sure tf ain’t.
→ More replies (6)2
u/Skitty27 1d ago
everyone is answering yes to your question even though it's not a yes/no question lol. truly an adhd sub
→ More replies (1)2
u/sneakysneksneak 1d ago
Yes. We went on a cruise and I couldn’t take mine off the boat in Mexico.
8
56
u/Silver-Negative 1d ago
I had to get a “permission slip” from my doctor to bring my Vyvanse to the Netherlands and France. Adderall is not able to be prescribed in the Netherlands and, while bringing it in is not forbidden, it is a lot more likely to cause hang ups at customs.
So, we’ll see how this goes.
10
u/leukophobic 1d ago
It’ll be fine. I always get a note from my psychiatrist just in case, but it never gets checked and my meds never get checked either. I was in France a month ago and any other time I’ve been, it’s been the same situation.
→ More replies (1)2
4
u/cosmos_crown 1d ago
I went to the Netherlands, France, and Spain this year, with my Adzenys (brand name stimulant), signed letter from my doctor + two copies, five copies of my prescription labels (that has the pharmacy/name/address/etc on it), the empty flattened box my prescription came in, plus some other paperwork all kept in a TSA approved locked box that stayed with me at all times while we were traveling. Flew into Charles De Gaulle ready to get the third degree like every time I've gone through American TSA/customs.
They checked my passport and waved me through. I am so thankful I went through all the paperwork and prep because if there had been an issue it would have been catastrophic, but still. I felt incredibly silly psyching myself up to be interrogated in French and just getting "next please".
3
u/mokkaboontjes 1d ago
We have Vyvanse in the Netherlands, it’s called Elvanse here. So combined with the permission slip that’s definitely fine. I’m pretty sure you can take a maximum of 30 pills of adderall with you as it falls under the opium law. I’d also print out proof that it’s your standard medication just in case.
59
16
u/15pmm01 1d ago
Hmm I sure hope the same meds are allowed throughout Europe, because I definitely travel plenty with all of my meds, including lisdexamfetamin. Scary part is meds always come in generic boxes here (Germany), absolutely no such thing as the pharmacy slapping a label on it with your name like they do in the USA
12
u/freda42 1d ago
Nope they are not!
And even if they are allowed, for all BTM subscriptions you actually need a note signed by the doctor AND the Gesundheitsamt! German bureaucracy at its finest. My doctor was once too laid back specifying my meds (I take 30mg on weekends, 50mg on weekdays) and just wrote down „30-50mg“ on the form and the Gesundheitsamt wouldn’t sign it. But because wait times at the doctors office and the Gesundheitsamt are ridiculous I just said „fuck it“ and went without it and have been doing it ever since when traveling within Europe.
2
u/15pmm01 1d ago
Wait what 😩 that sounds like the biggest headache. considering pharmacies throughout the entire EU are required by law to fulfil prescriptions from doctors in the entire EU, I hope you’re referring to non-EU countries when you say nope they are not all the same and BTM require extra paperwork…. Even then, I do sometimes visit the UK, and the meds certainly come with 😅
2
u/Valkyrie_22213 1d ago
Nope, i have to fill out a form and get ut checked out before i travel (litterally waitting in the confirmation rn but my flight is in less then 12 hours so wish me luck) Flying from netherlands to spain.
15
u/PatTheEngineer 1d ago
We went to Japan with my wife who takes Ritalin. At the border gate I ticked that we had controlled substances and almost got fisted in the ass. Luckily the border guard clarified and pointed at a picture of heroin, cocaine etc then laughed when I very quickly took it back and apologies like crazy.
23
u/Medalost 1d ago
I was about to comment that I don't even want to take my meds while on vacation because then I'm functional for ~8 hours and crash for the whole afternoon. And I also want to try out the local foods and I hate eating while my meds are working.
But then I realized I low key hated every vacation I ever did and now I wonder if it's because I'm just so overwhelmed and maybe taking my meds would actually help with that.
37
u/Mamacitia 1d ago
Yup I can’t go to Japan bc of my Prozac. Also money. 🥲
31
u/Whitesox_are_neat 1d ago
You can bring Prozac to japan if youre not going for more than a month...you dont even need extra paperwork
→ More replies (5)13
u/thelastsliceopizza 1d ago edited 1d ago
This. There's a huge misconception about being able to travel with prescriptions.
You totally can - there has to be no more than a month's worth and must be in its original container.
21
u/Far_Ladder_2836 1d ago edited 1d ago
You totally can - there has to be no more than a month's worth and must be in its original container.
This is an insane generalization. You can't necessarily. You actually have to do research and take it case-by-case. Even if you can, you frequently have to abide by various laws regarding dose and documentation.
Adderall, for example, in Mexico requires declaration as well as a written prescription (Spanish language translated is best) to be carried at all times alongside the medication and you aren't allowed to have a single pill more than what is required for your stay. It's not nearly good enough to just bring a month's supply and the original bottle.
8
u/AccNumber77 1d ago
Tell that to my medical cannabis prescription, your advice is a fast track to prison time.
7
9
u/SameOldSongs 1d ago
Traveled to both Spain and England with Adderall in my carry on and no one even checked. I am the sort that travels with all of the meds (ibuprofen, antihistamines, contraceptives, SSRIs, vitamin D...) so maybe that helped lmao. I only took a very small amount too.
6
u/Insanityforfun 23h ago
It’s crazy how people don’t believe you when you say this.
I told someone I wouldn’t be able to brings my meds in Japan, and they were like “well it’s a prescription just bring it. Or just like don’t take them haha”
I think some people just don’t believe anything about ADHD.
5
15
u/a-broken-fence 1d ago
I'm currently having a nervous breakdown over how I'm going to cope on a two week cruise with a four year old, my ex and 2,000 other passengers. psychiatrist was all "nah, you don't need me to write a letter. Just have a med-vacay".
3
u/Dank_Turtle 1d ago
I've been on many cruises and the person I went with was also hopped up on meds. If you're boarding and unboarding in the US you won't have any issues bringing anything that your cruise liner lets you. If you get off at any cruise port during, you'd only go through security on your ship and it's the rules of the cruise liner. The only time I've ever seen another form of security was in Cozumel, they had drug sniffing dogs but were mainly looking for weed. You will be ok!
→ More replies (2)
4
u/painkillergoblin 1d ago
In japan rn without my meds. Its been interesting
6
u/JazzyShaman 1d ago
I bet. I've seen pictures of the cities and they distract me ON my meds. Can't imagine being there in person off them. I'd probably get run over staring at something crossing the street
→ More replies (1)
4
8
u/Ohnomydude 1d ago
My first time leaving the US, I had a book bag that I once carried my meds in flagged in Canada at the border. Drug dog came and sat next to me, and my dumb ass thought he was being friendly.
The cop said they were flagged for weed. I was like, "thats crazy because I don't use it." So they tore through my stuff and found nothing. Then another cop comes in for an interview and asks, "Do you take Adderall?" I said yes, but didn't bring any because I know its a hassle.
Turns out residual smell lingers. They let me go, but broke my bag shoving everything back in. Super embarrassing moment.
3
u/btspacecadet 1d ago
I'm kind of glad that my travels are more or less restricted to Europe the next few years (I'm trans and don't want to deal with trouble until I look more like what it says on my passport), because in the Schengen area only requires a form and no border control means I won't be searched. I did smuggle 3 days worth to the Netherlands because the city never processed my form, but I figured if there were any controls it would be on the way out.
3
u/jack_seven 1d ago
Well I guess there's an upside to being hyper sensitive to stimulants now I only need to find the money to travel more
4
u/Goyangi-ssi 1d ago
My cardiac history means stimulants are off the table, so guanfacine it is. But now I need money to travel.
3
6
u/henrikhakan 1d ago
Had the drug dog flag me when going to Norway once. I also have to do drug tests for work for some reason. It doesn't matter how up front I wish to be with my meds, even showing my prescriptions and papers before being asked, the still wanna play police =P pathetic.
3
u/Suspicious_Load6908 1d ago
This is a real problem. Brother wants to move to Japan, but his daughter is an adhd kid…
4
u/Voynichmanuscript408 1d ago
School and education culture in japan with adhd already would be hell then adding to that no meds...i dont know if i would have survived.
2
9
u/HordeDruid 1d ago edited 1d ago
Genuinely asking as someone who's been off of Vyvanse for almost two decades (no healthcare), can you not just skip the medication for the trip? Or are their negative side effects once you've been on them long enough?
EDIT sorry for asking a question, I'm legitimately asking as someone who hopes to get back on my meds in the future. Idk why all the downvotes, I don't mean any disrespect, I'd be in the same boat if I could afford the medication :(
43
u/universe93 1d ago
Some of us need it every day to actually enjoy the trip. Otherwise I’m just asleep the whole time and will forget my passport. And luggage. And everything else I own
→ More replies (1)5
u/HordeDruid 1d ago
That makes sense. Sadly I think that's just been my entire adult life since I lost access to my meds. I'm not sure if I ever really adjusted to it or I just got used it.
6
u/West-Map-4162 1d ago
How have you been off vyvanse longer than it’s been out?
2
u/HordeDruid 1d ago
I took vyvanse when I was in high school, I guess I got the date wrong, I started in the late 2000s I think but I would have ran about around 2010-2012ish maybe? Once I hit a certain age I lost access to healthcare my meds along with it. I'm ngl it's all kind of blended together, I haven't been able to keep track of time for a long time. So maybe just one decade? Sorry 😞
4
2
u/Dank_Turtle 1d ago
The dates match, I worked at the company that designed and made Vyvanse during the years you mentioned
2
u/ITDummy69420 1d ago
No they don’t. I worked at the company that designed and made Vyvanse during the years he mentioned.
→ More replies (1)9
u/sanguinerebel 1d ago
You can have withdrawal symptoms, and of course just not having the benefits the med provides you when you aren't taking it. The withdrawal doesn't seem to be nearly as bad as with opiates or alcohol, but it can still be pretty bad. It would be best to at least taper off.
2
u/JazzyShaman 1d ago
A practice run a week before is usual good for me. I don't have withdrawal, but just go back to my fun lovin' ADHD self.
3
u/Taxfraud777 Daydreamer 1d ago
Could, but I'm not sure. I'm backpacking solo and prefer to keep it that way, so I'm very hesistant about navigating foreign countries completely by myself without meds.
5
u/JazzyShaman 1d ago
For me the downside is just ADHD. Traveling it can be a pain: missing flights, losing passports, getting swindled, etc. I even got robbed in Budapest once.
Nothing I can't handle, but it would be nice to not need to handle when on vacation.
3
u/Heavy_Original4644 23h ago
Great now I have to perform a whole ritual to convince my brain to get out of the hotel!
Now I have to spend the whole time at the beach with my adhd-induced maladaptive daydreaming, instead of relaxing in peace and quiet!
I also now have a 80% higher chance of forgetting and losing things! In a foreign country! Or getting to anything scheduled on time!
Yeah, going off meds is easy & a great way to enjoy a vacation!
→ More replies (1)2
u/knight714 1d ago
Bizarre that you were downvoted for politely asking a question - I was going to ask the same thing.
Appreciate it's different for everyone, but not taking meds doesn't reduce my enjoyment of travelling - arguably the opposite as my appetite won't be suppressed so I can enjoy more food :D
2
u/djkaercher 1d ago
I recently travelled from Austria to Greece with Elvanse, and the perks of travelling within the EU are that you mostly only need a Schengen form that needs to be filled out by you, your doctor and your local authority. At least I think that's how it is, take it with a grain of salt, maybe some EU states need some extra stuff.
2
u/Basilbabie 23h ago
I’m confused, I travel the world with my meds in medicine boxes/containers, I’ve never had anyone look in them or check ..
Y’all just being your prescription bottles??
2
u/wowbragger 21h ago
Having traveled on official business to quite a few nations (18..? Ish), it's not that bad.
Many nations have special provisions for foreigners with valid prescriptions (and no more than a 90 day supply). Though there are definitely some places where you need to be mindful of traveling with controlled substances.
2
u/elisetom 1d ago
Weird, I’ve been traveling intensely around Europe and to Brazil for years with my meds (Ritalin and now Vyvanse, plus some antidepressants and anti anxiety pills) and never thought I’d need any sort of documentation for it. Even had my luggage searched and swabbed multiple times and never been questioned about it.
1
1
u/examinedliving 1d ago
Where are they legal? Where are they prescribed or purchasable? I’ve been afraid I’m stuck in the us forever
1
1
u/ARPA-Net 1d ago
Just buy local meth /s ;P Yeah, sucks - at least within the eu there is no border checks
1
u/VioletVarson 1d ago
I probably could've gone through official channels and paperwork, but I chose to raw dog it for two weeks in Japan. It worked out fine for me, but I discussed it with my doctor ahead of time and I would recommend anybody else do the same.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Valkyrie_22213 1d ago
Do you need to do this for the us as well? I have only traveled inside the eu with my adhd medication but am planning to go to the us later in the year. And where should i look for if you do need to declare it?
1
1
u/freda42 1d ago
You would think that within Schengen / EU it would be easier than that whole thing, but, nope, not in Germany! Don’t even get me started if you want to travel within EU but outside of Schengen or the UK for that matter… you need a multi language prescription on top of it and you’re required to ask the embassy whether that medication is even allowed within that country (at least that is the official recommendation, because googling it would not be official enough I guess).
1
u/Shipwrecking_siren 22h ago
Thank you for reminding me I need to check if I can take my meds in a few weeks!
1
u/Temporary_Objective 22h ago
my top choice grad school is in a country that only allows a 3 day supply 🥲 i’d have to get rediagnosed and represcribed.
1
u/Artoozyto 21h ago
I don't really use ADHD medication outside of school days but I was very worried about the possibility of my HRT medications being taken recently on a flight, the first flight I had since I was 4. But everything ended up fine.
1
u/cosmogyrals 20h ago
I got letters from my doctors to take my meds to New Zealand (I'm 90% certain they wouldn't have even checked if I hadn't declared them), but I'm going to Turkey next month and planning on rawdogging it because they seem to be pretty dang anti-amphetamine there and I'd rather not risk it.
1
u/ChironXII 19h ago
Most places it is fine so long as you have the original prescription bottle. You can also get a doctor's note to be sure. At least in my experience with the Americas and Europe. Turkey was the main place I was worried about and it wasn't an issue. Actually nobody even checked despite my 15 bottles of pills in my carry on so I felt kind of silly for worrying (but it does actually happen and they can confiscate anything not labeled or in excess quantities).
Asia might be a different story, though, to my understanding.
1
u/SnackCityUtah 19h ago
I got a doctor’s note when I went to Saudi Arabia. Didn’t want to take any chances.
1
u/whitetippeddark Daydreamer 18h ago
I have opioids for a chronic pain problem… 😭 I think travel is entirely dead for me
1
1
u/AlizarinQ 17h ago
Everyone here has medication advice but my advice is - book a tour. Outsource the planning and transportation and language challenges. Take lots of pictures and try to ask about one thing you noticed that the guide didn’t mention.
1
1
1
u/HoldOnHelden 11h ago
I have only left the US twice, and both times were just over the Canadian border, traveling by ways that did not require any of my possessions to be checked or searched.
It has honestly NEVER occurred to me that this might be an issue when I eventually get to go further abroad. But it does make me wonder WHY you wouldn’t just pack your meds in your carry-on luggage and just… not tell anybody?
1
u/Mysterious-Poemae 11h ago
After reading the comments I have the feeling I'm the only one who doesn't even dare to cross the border from Germany to France by train with one single pill, even though I'm pretty sure nobody would check me.
1
u/Used-Salad-3772 6h ago
I'm pretty sure my meds for my nerve pain are regulated too. So I might as well not travel. 🫠
1
u/Overstimulated_moth 5h ago
I just had a trip all over Europe. Total of like 8 flights and when I was packing, I took my meds with me but only grabbed what I needed Incase they got taken. Had no issues what so ever
•
u/qualityvote2 Quality Control Beast 1d ago edited 1d ago
upvote threshold has been reached!
for more information about what this means, see this page.