Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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Adderall is the brand name for the combination medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This medicine is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Adderall is often given as a prescription medication to people with ADHD to help improve focus and concentration. It can improve ADHD symptoms in 70 to 80 percent of children and 70 percent of adults shortly after starting treatment.1
No, it is not safe to mix alcohol and Adderall. Alcohol is a depressant, while Adderall is a stimulant.
Combining the two can cause some adverse side effects, including:
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Most times, people who mix Adderall and alcohol do so out of ignorance. They believe Adderall helps keep them focused throughout the day. On the other hand, alcohol helps them cope with stress and other symptoms of ADHD, such as depression.
Mixing alcohol and Adderall can predispose you to various health risks:
It can also increase your risk of alcohol intoxication.
Even though Adderall is beneficial for treating conditions like ADHD, it has a high tendency for abuse and misuse. One way people misuse this drug is by mixing it with alcohol, which can cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening.
Mixing alcohol and Adderall have short-term and long-term effects.
Short-term effects of mixing alcohol and Adderall include:
When you abuse Adderall and mix it with alcohol, it can cause some side effects in the long run, such as:
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Even though healthcare providers usually prescribe Adderall to treat ADHD, this prescription drug is not without side effects.
Studies on whether the side effects of Adderall increase with higher doses are still vague. However, scientists have discovered that cases of side effects are low and similar to other ADHD medications.7
Common side effects of Adderall include:
Not everyone experiences side effects with stimulant drugs like Adderall. However, those who experience them may be able to manage most of the side effects by adjusting the schedule and dosage. Giving people time to get used to the drug is also recommended.2
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Adderall can be addictive, especially if you’re taking Adderall and drinking alcohol. Mixing the two can increase your risk for a substance use disorder (SUD).
Constant use of Adderall at an unprescribed dose (substance use) can cause you to build up some tolerance. This, in turn, can lead to addiction.
When people misuse substances like alcohol and Adderall, it tends to disrupt their body’s chemical signaling.
Someone that abuses alcohol and Adderall will most likely experience the following symptoms:
Addiction to Adderall and alcohol requires polysubstance abuse treatment.
Polysubstance use means being dependent on or addicted to multiple drugs or substances simultaneously (e.g., mixing Adderall and alcohol). It also may refer to alternating between various drugs to counteract each substance’s side effects.
Fortunately, there are treatment options available for polysubstance abuse, such as:
People who want to quit polysubstance use experience intense withdrawal symptoms. For this reason and more, they may require admittance into inpatient care.
Inpatient care requires you to stay in a treatment facility for several days or weeks for close monitoring. Outpatient care is for those who only need part-time treatment.
Withdrawal from polysubstance use can be more complex than withdrawal from one substance.
The supervising physician will monitor the person’s vital signs during medical detox. The physician may also prescribe medications to combat specific withdrawal symptoms.
CBT can help the person establish coping mechanisms and new thought patterns. This will help them resist the substance and avoid substance abuse in the future.
The key to treating substance use is providing each individual with the best care tailored to their needs. Identifying what led the person to use substances in the first place is one of the best approaches for successful addiction treatment and long-term recovery.
Adderall and alcohol should never be mixed. Mixing the two substances can increase your risk for a substance use disorder (SUD).
Constant use of Adderall at an unprescribed dose may lead to tolerance, which can, in turn, lead to addiction.
If you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of alcohol and Adderall misuse, seek help immediately. Various treatment options are available to help individuals with an addiction to these substances.
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