Call of Duty's Adderall Problem

[@JetHawk222]

“The Travis Gafford school of journalism” God damn that was a burn!

[@adams3903]

In my own experience with adhd medication similiar to adderall, smaller dosages enhance logical thinking. From solving math tests better to being faschinated by strats in cs. A little larger amounts makes me easily tilted, jittery, sweaty and constantly overthinking simple things tasks.

[@jordansarkisian]

Yeah I've seen people play games a lot better from small amounts, dissect movies and other content in a much deeper way, but if you get over that line you'll be mowing your lawn at 3am lol

[@soanti]

Concerta eller?

[@Ixa1710]

The second explanation sounds very similar to being on a lot of amphetamine.

[@nightfire_CSGO]

@@soanti concerta, aka ritalin aka methylphenidate, is vaguely similar to adderall/amphetamines in that it is a stimulant, but other than that they are not incredibly similar. Vast majority of recreational and medicinal users would prefer adderall. Source: prescribed both in my life and also seen many students using these drugs and others to study

[@eriklarrson7696]

@@nightfire_CSGO What key diferences to you find between adderall and methylphenidate? I see many online making the comparison between legally prescribed adhd medication to street drugs.

[@monceber945]

The end of the video regarding the abusive relationship that young adults sign themselves to is very strong. Thank you for the message, Richard. And thank you for speaking up. I just hope that others will come and take your place when you decide to leave the esports space.

[@joeydelorenzo8051]

The first time I took pre-workout in college, not only did I have a cup of coffee but I tried to run prior to lifting. It was honestly what I believe a heart attack would feel like. I could literally, literally, feel my heart trying to escape my chest.

[@AnusDiscors]

Never do any amount of meth then, you'll have to be carried to the hospital

[@robert_walks]

Good for you, Rich. I used to mix adderall//weed/nicotine alongside ridiculous nootropic/supplements stacks when playing Halo/CS. There was a "sweet spot" of just being completely absorbed into the game and dumping insane amounts of dopamine with every nice play/shot/kill. Over time, that "sweet spot" became harder to find and I destroyed my health trying to find it. 6 years totally clean now, but can't say my brain has ever been the same. Certainly developed some longer-term health anxiety that I never experienced prior to my drug habits.

[@sethnolte7993]

Drug testing for adderall is also extremely difficult. It has a half life of 10 hours, so 10mg is undetectable after about 2 days. That means you can take adderall in online qualifiers and have it out of your system by the time LAN rolls around. This is akin to traditional sports players taking steroids before a competition and stopping them a few days before the drug tests.

[@ChChCheckIt]

I just remember the Cloud9 “summer team” that was accused of abusing adderall

[@LAZLOWEYO]

*admitted by Semphis

[@ChChCheckIt]

The only people I remember on it were freakazoid, sean, and Jordan

[@LAZLOWEYO]

@@travisb1o0m19 semphis, Shazam, nothing, sgares and shroud it was at esl katowice 2015

[@rm2124]

Yeah the voice comms from that event are pretty funny

[@erawdawdad6547]

@@LAZLOWEYO shroud also admitted on trying adderall

[@NaZtRdAmUs]

Never done adderall but I'm always a couple of glasses deep into scotch when playing csgo/starcraft and it makes me play like shit lol.

[@hx2975]

My Adderall withdraws were horrible, a month of almost every day throwing up.

[@theycallmeGUN]

You used daily?

[@hx2975]

@@theycallmeGUN Yes, 30mg.

[@mattl7425]

@@hx2975 XR or IR?

[@SinisterSixx]

That’s weird, 30mg is basically entry level (I’ve been on Adderall / Concerta / Ritalin for plus 10 years)

[@juggmkj]

Lol a month...from 30 mg

[@Verlisify]

I'm happy this stream got uploaded to the channel

[@andrewhenrynguyen204]

Ok…bruh stick to trying to expose pimpnite mate

[@Verlisify]

@@andrewhenrynguyen204 Literally proved he cheats Pokemon. What a moron

[@zenith3803]

Thank you for shedding light on this topic, Richard. The cod community suffered the loss of f3rocitys in 2020, to what could have been mental health related reasons (which his own family tried to cover and not be truthful about). Many players are reporting that their mental healths have been taking a dip ever since the pandemic started. It sucks but players health is often overlooked and something needs to change.

[@Anders2112]

To get adhd meds in Norway(as an adult) I had to piss for 3 months clean urine. Go through all the diagnosis stuff like taking to my parentes and a former teacher. Then i went to a neuropsychologist for rigorous tests for things like memory, pattern recognition, concentration etc. She then recommended me to start meds based on test results and talks I'd had with my government paid psyciatric counceler. Then talk to psychiatrist. They subscribed lowest possible starting dose, and slowly up it while carefully monitoring heart irregularities, blood pressure etc. USA seems insane when it comes to subscriptions drugs.

[@adams3903]

most "experts" on going through the proccess of getting a diagnosis seem to have never done it. Some are posting wild claims like "adderall is given out after 1 doctor visit". I just don't believe it.

[@fourohfournotfound]

47:10 This whole video is worth listening to, but I think this point here is the most important for everyone to hear. Great video Richard

[@greg5095]

This is a constructive comment for Al Gore ithm

[@muizzsiddique]

All praise Sir A. G. Ithm.

[@TribeWars1]

Interesting comment, I showed it to my friend Engage Mint

[@CODandGOW2113]

Was hoping you'd cover this topic. Great content as always!

[@CTL22]

'Killa' did a piece with the Washington Post years ago talking about Adderall abuse in COD, and before the CDL started, multiple pros like Slasher and JKap asked the league to sort out the Adderall problem publicly and privately but they again swept it under the rug. Also John, who has recently rejoined the pro scene under 100T was supposedly banned for being the supplier of Adderall to many other pros

[@DogOfV]

Nice to see one of these videos again, don't get to catch the streams too often. So thanks mate, hope you're well

[@theycallmeGUN]

The fact that he name drops Hastro as someone who knew he was using adderall is very interesting. Wonder what sort of CDL rules that violates.

[@bullgod02132]

Good on you Richard. Thanks for shedding light

[@FirstNameLastName-yv2wb]

Great video Richard. Hope this player gets back on his feet soon and finds another team. If he even wants to.

[@jakelillis3505]

"your a dollar sign to these people, that's all you ever where" truthhhhhh

[@krushtyy]

It’s similar at in the lower echelons of cs and valorant too, but at the higher levels of cs the level of play is so high that you need a clear head and a good mindset to be consistent, drugs don’t help and they make you arrogant which stops you learning. Speaking from experience

[@systematisedgael8575]

Praise Richard Lewis as he has secured his place on the Mount Rushmore of true e-sports journalism

[@erawdawdad6547]

One of your best videos so far. You are one of the last people with a spine and integrity in the scene. Thanks for that!

[@williamgibson6019]

Mad props to the player and the host of that show that keep it in the board.

[@backfire1910]

I'm very familiar with the cod scene and Tommy (Zooma) is an ex Pro player himself who only stopped playing this past year and is still signed to The New York Subliners CDL team as a content creator but still he didn't let them bully him into silence on his podcast. He's a great guy

[@awareclueless]

amazing how often the bald man can grow hair back

[@awareclueless]

really good video btw!

[@Komodojou]

At this point, with players being pressured into taking illegal and dangerous drugs, and with Activision doing fuck all about it, I can't believe the authorities aren't getting involved.

[@MrJellyCS]

Another banger from my favourite journalism Richardo Louis.

[@backfire1910]

Gotta love and respect Zooma for not letting the CDL and Activision bully him into silence on his podcast especially with the info he has on the topic being an ex Pro player himself and still being signed to a CDL team as a content creator. Risked his entire career that he has built currently to do what he thought was right for the community.

[@Mugahh]

the most fucked up thing about it now is that there no way to actually regulate or test for it since most competition is online

[@alan__6453]

I know a lot of you probably don’t know the follow up story to this. That same guy huke is actually on drugs and has been dropped from 100T, not just benched. He spelled his own name wrong on his covid test and couldn’t participate in the latest CoD LAN. You read that correctly. He spelled his own name wrong, and did nothing to try and fix the situation afterwards so the was disqualified from playing and his org has dropped him.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

It really is just a matter of time before we have a major catastrophe at an esports event. Either a shooting of a personality by a deranged fan or a player dying on stage from an overdose.

[@M3atheadGaming]

This is sinister as f*ck.

[@THEPete_]

Addy has been used in esports for a long time, around a decade ago I was offered it numerous times

[@BondieeeeXBL]

Adderall has always been a huge problem in CoD, from as far back as I can remember.

[@cradleofgoth]

I had been taking adderall daily for 3-4 years, I actually need it due to adhd. When my job shut down and I was looking for a new one I stopped taking it, didn't have any withdrawal or craving. I did take a pretty mild dose compared to the stuff i heard in esports, 20mg, so maybe the dosage is a factor.

[@hedgester251]

U are also prescribed by a doctor and I’m the drug works differently when u have adhd

[@niceguydave9862]

People like to talk about the unlimited benefits of the drug without really considering the severe side effects and overstimulation that will occur with regular use. The first time or two might feel like magic, but that feeling quickly fades and it becomes more about the need to manage the increasing intensity of the side effects.

[@JD-tl4zs]

Great video Richard! This is a positive interaction between the viewer of the video and the video's creator in keeping with the conditions which fuel the website's feedback loop of recommending videos😃

[@ParadiZeHq]

I fucking love this video thanks for not demonizing cuyler for having the guts to tell his story. I have a feeling it’s gonna take someone to blatantly die from this shit for it to stop.

[@lilleeharvey]

I played on a 'professional' team back in 2010, before anything became what it is today. Everything was done through MLG, and everyone on every big team was abusing adderall or ritalin with almost no exception. I was 14 at the time but was a bit of a pompous prick and felt I was more 'pure' for not doing the enhancers. No moral quandary against it, I just thought I was better than the rest for never having used it. Anyways, everyone used it without exception. It was awful, and I'm assuming it's not much different on other twitchy reaction games. I'm glad someone is talking about it. Everyone on these teams has a prescription, warranted or not. It's a real problem and should be monitored closely.

[@Cobraplato]

I’ve been diagnosed with ADD since 92 before everyone started getting diagnosed... this is hilarious to me to see why my drugs are so controlled in my country when people legit use it in these ways

[@CatnamedMittens]

These videos are gems.

[@lionheartz1337]

I'll never forget that story of Faze Banks being so doped up on Addy that he didn't sleep for 3 days straight at an event and passed out asleep on the toilet at the venue

[@chibifirestorm]

he was addicted to it for a long time, he went missing for days at a time, dude was completely fucked up

[@metaphase-]

Hmmm, I've taken pre workout and a cup of coffee or two and I was fine. Do I have a problem? :thinking:

[@jarrodlangford7692]

Richard really hates clickbait haha. Always quality content Richard.

[@chibifirestorm]

i used to take it before big exams at University

[@dextercarlin7153]

Ty

[@vxoblivionxv]

Zooma is an absolute badass for standing up for himself. He earned a fan for life.

[@KurtGoKrazyy]

What cod player collapsed from Adderall? Genuinely curious

[@PabloLaConecta]

There is no carpet.

[@grandmasteryoda503]

Pretty sure it's happening in CSGO as well. Not gonna accuse Gambit of anything, but some of their players seem to look a little jittery at times

[@dominiccaciappo970]

As someone who abused the hell out of Adderall it made me way worse in games, incredible tunnel vision, although some mechanics would sharpen I suppose, I am sure they probably didn't dose as high as I once did, but yeah Adderall made me worse.

[@EmpReb]

The most obvious problem but no one would talk about it.

[@MissingNo_]

Comparing pre workout to A controlled substance is a horribly bad analogy. I abused methamphetamine for years and now certified Substance Abuse Counselor in California. For reasons I won't explain, Adderall chemically is really close to methamphetamines chemical make up. Granted the tiniest differences in chemical make up can make something go from lethal to non lethal (like salt being made up of two things that are toxic to humans when seperate) but anyone doing Adderall is basically doing methamphetamine.

[@Prebound_]

When it comes to video games "marijuana" is the bestest PED in my opinion.

[@GraspingsquareTV]

Halo was riddled with it too back when halo was relevant. CSGO kicked it out but why is it still a thing in the console esports?

[@GraspingsquareTV]

Nvm I commented before I watched and you brought up Halo. I should have guessed you would be spot on as always.

[@FuminsGames]

lmao! I was just thinking halo competition days is where I first heard of it ! Then you say it xD

[@DomskiPlays]

I know u dont like OWL but I've heard of a big amount of players using adderall there too :/

[@Xavyer13]

Where I'm from it's also easier to get coke over Adderall :(

[@thememecabinet9223]

*dies from banger*

[@8roma8]

the same idea is why i stopped watching many sports, i dont trust anyone. this will happend eventually with esports since the sceene still in its infancy and the grown up version is not better

[@bigguy247]

Organic comment from an organic viewer

[@CyanUK]

I tried it, and it didn't help me focus on the game, instead i found the game boring and hyperfocused on browsing escorts instead.

[@zergbong]

I am from Eastern Europe. Counter Strike and amphetamines is nothing new. Don't do amphetamines, kids. It is not a nice high, get some mushrooms instead.

[@PHYLOgg]

This goes for basically any esport, especially FPS... Bunch of zoomers popping pills left and right. It's messed up.

[@esoteridactyl]

We need to start talking about it as a lite version of Meth because that’s what it is.

[@cashiskingCineLover]

Man meth is way better

[@1undftd]

Banger

[@thedrinkkupz]

Old school Jack3d the best thing since meth

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Adderall in esports is so 2016. Get with the times CoD.

[@Hekkr]

Mate, Heroes of the Storm is shit. You were right with that.

[@DREAMWORKERSKY]

esports is so fucked up it doesn’t surprise me anymore.

[@ChaosturnMusic]

Algae rythm comment

[@CBLE]

Investment banking welcomes you if you want to keep up the abuse after the esport career.

[@azimaini]

harline's still going strong in your 60s eh?

[@cuylshepherdton7437]

What about the pros who cheat? Or the csgo youtubers who cheat? I mean... This is to be expected. People cheat at the top of every sport.

[@regbar0]

Adderall problem? I started seeing this stuff back when League was THE game. Pros and plebs were doing the stuff. I'm sure it's gotten worse.

[@alexwellbaum1487]

Banging thumbnail, shoutout to Sam and Joe Biden!

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

lol whos joe biden

[@TheOsju]

*America's adderall problem

[@ItsSliWill]

Halo will have Huke back

[@Kinwika]

Algorethm

[@svendabs1200]

You shouldnt do drugs cuz drugs are bad mmkay

[@jrfaster]

comment for alg

[@hilebard]

Straight amphetamine lmao

[@MarcelloVT]

Esports delenda est

[@titan6986]

Comment

[@stevebanning902]

lol cs players; "First time?"

[@Kabo0meh]

only 7k view ofcourse cause in esports nobody fucking cares

[@KanasKleanouts]

Honestly seems like Huke is still spiraling, all that talk about “playing sober” and “meditation” and all that seems like an addict trying to keep the intervention away.

[@AVerySillySausage]

I personally think he is going through other mental health issues and wrongly put it all down to the Adderall. I think he's coming to the realisation that the Adderall was not the problem. His talk about how he didn't feel good after winning sounds an awful lot like depression for me.

[@dmvbawse4265]

If those kids need adderal with controllers they should never play FPS pc games

[@adams3903]

a controller may limit skill potential compared to keyboard and mouse but they can certaintly elevate the skill a few % over their own limit.

[@dmvbawse4265]

@@adams3903 absolutely a god tier pc player skill is well above any controller player

[@adams3903]

@@dmvbawse4265 I have no idea about cod, do controller players play against other opponents than controller players?

[@dmvbawse4265]

@@adams3903 hell no it’s all controller but now at least they use console controllers on pc set ups, since maybe last season?