Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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Vyvanse is the brand name of the drug lisdexamfetamine. It’s an FDA-approved prescription medication and controlled substance for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorders in adults.
Like most prescription medications, drinking alcohol isn’t recommended when taking Vyvanse. However, there is no official warning regarding the safety of mixing Vyvanse and alcohol.
Despite no official recommendations, there are a couple of concerns regarding the mix of alcohol and Vyvanse. For instance:
Vyvanse is classified as an amphetamine. Combining amphetamines and alcohol raises blood pressure and increases heart activity. This raises the risk of existing heart health problems.
Additionally, heart problems are a known risk of Vyvanse use, even for those without previous heart health issues.
Vyvanse acts as a central nervous system stimulant. When taken with alcohol, these types of drugs tend to mask the effects of alcohol.
Someone using Vyvanse and drinking is at risk of over-drinking because they won’t feel the usual effects of alcohol. Alcohol intoxication is a risk with Vyvanse.
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Despite the risk, some people choose to drink alcohol when taking Vyvanse. Common reasons for mixing the two substances include:
Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol produces a euphoric feeling. This feeling is one of the main reasons why the addiction risk increases when you combine the two substances.
Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol produces several side effects, including:
Psychological effects include impaired judgment and decision-making ability and increased risk-taking behavior.
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Mixing alcohol and prescription drugs is always risky because of drug interactions. Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol poses a variety of risks and dangers. For example:
When someone drinks alcohol when taking Vyvanse, they impede their ability to recognize the effects of alcohol. The usual amount of alcohol that makes you drunk won’t seem to affect you in the same way.
You don’t need more alcohol to achieve drunkenness, but it will seem as if you do. This increases your risk of various problems, including alcohol intoxication (poisoning).
Drinking more than usual and not feeling the effects of alcohol in the same way as you would without Vyvanse increases your risk of misusing alcohol.
You’ll experience a false sense of “confidence” and need to drink more and more to achieve the desired effect. Increasing your alcohol consumption puts you at a greater risk of alcohol misuse.
Because Vyvanse enables you to drink more, you stand a higher risk of alcohol poisoning (intoxication).
Alcohol intoxication is a potentially deadly condition. Symptoms include:
Mixing alcohol and Vyvanse puts you at risk of overdosing on the medication. Alcohol minimizes the effect of the drug. Sometimes, someone will consume excess quantities of Vyvanse to enhance the drug’s effects on alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of Vyvanse overdose include:
Mixing alcohol and Vyvanse increases a person’s risk of psychosis. The two substances counteract the effects of each other. They have similar side effects, which are heightened when you mix them.
Many people experience symptoms of psychosis, including:
Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol increases the odds you’ll engage in risky behavior. The drug dulls the effects of alcohol, so it’s difficult to recognize your level of drunkenness.
You’re more likely to think you’re in control in this state. You may drive or engage in risky sexual behavior because you don’t believe you are “really drunk.”
The mix of Vyvanse and alcohol increase your heart health risks. Mixing the two magnifies existing problems and triggers new issues.
The blend increases your heart rate and causes high blood pressure. This increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and seizure.
Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice if you’ve been prescribed Vyvanse and are concerned about heart health.
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Vyvanse is a relatively safe drug with mostly only mild to moderate side effects, including:
Vyvanse increases serotonin levels. In some cases, this leads to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. This risk is elevated even more for those taking other serotonin-increasing drugs.
Vyvanse also affects heart health and can elevate blood pressure. This may put you at risk of severe health problems.
Speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about heart health issues or notice increased blood pressure while using this drug.
You can take Vyvanse on a full or empty stomach. Avoid taking the medication with acidic foods. Some users report losing their appetite when taking this medication.
Use this drug according to your doctor’s directions. Any use of the drug without a doctor’s prescription is considered abuse.
Treating Vyvanse and alcohol addiction requires polydrug use treatment approaches. Polydrug use is when a person uses multiple drugs. People who struggle with polydrug use can get comprehensive treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions.
Treatment is available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Regardless of what you choose, treatment will likely include:
Treatment for Vyvanse and alcohol addiction requires a medically supervised detoxification phase and ongoing addiction treatment support. Alcohol has an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal period.
Nobody should attempt to detox from alcohol addiction on their own. This ensures the process is safe and reduces complications as much as possible.
Vyvanse is a drug prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mixing alcohol and Vyvanse puts you at different physical and mental health risks.
Mixing alcohol and prescription drugs can be drug misuse. Treating Vyvanse and alcohol addiction requires professional help. Different treatment options are available so that you can find a program tailored to your needs.
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