How prevalent is the phenomenon of consultants using performance enhancing drugs (especially at the director and above level) on the job?

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10 years - surviving without meds and caffeine. Working out keeps me sane on roads along with proper diet.

likeuplifting

I am a 49 year old female director and occassionally use adderall (my sister's) for days I know are going to be long and are deliverable-focused, for example the final push on a proposal. Then, I typically need a half a xanax to sleep.
This is typically no more frequent than monthly or every other month but it got bad nov-dec because there was just so much to do!

She'll go running for the shelter of her mother's little helper...

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Exercise and sleep it the best performance enhancer. No competition. Make time for it and your working hours will be more productive than any dumbass working 7am-2am.

likeuplifting

Bumping rails is very prevalent. That’s why many of our clients don’t drug test us—many of them know, too

likefunny

Or drug testing is a waste of money and doesn't really matter when you hired a consulting company that is reputable.

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In my 8 years, I have never seen nor heard of this happening (although I don’t doubt that it occurs... just not prevalent). I think if you need drugs to get your work done, you’re either doing something wrong or in the wrong line of work.

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Surely you can't survive week after week working from 7am to 2am without help... especially if you're over 25. If you can then I want tips

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Extremely bad, as you can imagine. Some people resign, some end up with health issues. Most seem to stay and "adapt"

Don't know anyone who does-- outside of coffee. I've thought about trying Adderall for purely recreational purposes but can't see myself doing that on the job.

These are one of those posts where I'd like to know how many people saw this and *didn't* reply.

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Coffee and cigarettes. My doctor actually told me the amount of coffee I drink could kill someone and recommended I reduce it. But my heart and BP are fine so 🤷🏻‍♂️

likehelpful

Came here to echo D2s sentiment lol.

But seriously - if your doctor said that in earnest, I’d re-evaluate. Your body is not special or remarkably different from the rest of the world

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Adderall tablets and caffeine. Adderall is my NOS, my throttle in a bottle. The focus and information retention is insane.

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People who do Adderall have this blank look in their eyes. It's creepy.

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I know hundreds of consulting partners and not one who uses illicit drugs (maybe some smoke marijuana recreationally now and again?). There are certainly alcohol abusers, but remarkably few. Most people who make it that far never were into drugs and are far too responsible to get into them now. It’s a pretty boring, straight laced bunch of people.

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I also noticed many partners don’t even drink :)

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15+ years. Haven't heard of anyone taking any drugs to keep working. Definitely seen folks with one too many drinks, myself included, but no drugs.

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If you need drugs to do the job you’re either soft or you’re in the wrong career. Learned along time ago how to push through fatigue in the peak times when needed and drink lots of water, coffee and balanced diet and exercise. If you need adderall to do this, just means you’re not good enough on your own.

likesmart

Maybe it’s there and I’m naive but I would be shocked if someone was actually doing any kind of substances on the job. If you have a real prescription because you need it, not because it’s a boost, then that’s fine.

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Have been doing it for 25 years and know only few people who do recreational drugs. This job is not for everyone, either you have it in you to do it, or you don’t. If someone needs drugs to do it I’d say don’t mess with your system and do something else that doesn’t require ongoing medication (unless it’s of course prescription for other causes, not job related).

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So outside of Adderall/Ritalin, I would think people would be worried going through the airport with drugs. But maybe I’m too square

13 years in agency then consulting. Everyone talked about it, but I have never actually seen anyone produce the goods, with the exception of one person. He does too much coke & is backing off...people are noticing. I look at this as more of a genuine substance abuse problem rather than getting through the job.

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