Adderall and Alcohol

What Happens When You Mix Adderall and Alcohol?

Adderall is a stimulant medication often prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It helps increase focus, energy, and alertness by speeding up brain activity.

Alcohol has the opposite effect. It’s a depressant, meaning it slows down brain function and affects your coordination, decision-making, and reaction time.

When taken together, these two substances send mixed signals to your brain and body, which can:

• Make it harder to feel how drunk you actually are
• Lead to drinking more than you intended
• Increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, risky behavior, or overdose

Mixing Adderall and alcohol doesn’t cancel out the effects—it increases the danger

Unfortunately, combining Adderall and alcohol isn’t rare, especially among college students or young adults using Adderall recreationally or without a prescription.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 15% of young adults ages 18–25 who misuse prescription stimulants also engage in binge drinking.

If you or someone you know is misusing these substances together, it may be a sign of polydrug use or co-occurring substance issues like Adderall addiction or alcohol use disorder (aka alcohol addiction).

How Adderall and Alcohol Affect the Body

When a person drinks with Adderall in their system, the drug conceals alcohol’s intoxicating effects and may make a person seem “less drunk.” However, this doesn’t mean that Adderall increases your alcohol tolerance.

In fact, Adderall can actually increase the chances of alcohol poisoning since you might miss the warning signs of intoxication and drink past your limit. 

Additionally, stimulant medications like Adderall can also cause cardiovascular issues, such as an irregular heartbeat or chest pain.

Why Do People Combine Adderall and Alcohol?

Stimulant prescription abuse is most prevalent among 18 to 25-year-old adults, with college students historically facing a higher risk. A 2009 survey of North Carolina University students found that around 4.9% of students reported combining Adderall and alcohol.

Some of the motivating factors behind doing this can include: 

• Getting a study aid: Students may abuse stimulant medications to “boost” their focus or academic productivity. The drug remains in their systems when they have a drink later.
• Drinking more: Some people might take Adderall due to misconceptions that the drug will “balance out” alcohol’s effects and allow them to drink more.
• Partying longer: Since Adderall can enhance focus, some people may take it to stay more alert at a party or club.
• Getting high: In some people, Adderall may induce a “high,” thanks to the dopamine boost. So, some people may time the drug to coincide with the “buzz” from alcohol and enhance the euphoria.

Health Risks of Mixing Adderall and Alcohol

Adderall and alcohol abuse can lead to dangerous physical and mental consequences on their own, and combining the two may double the causes for concern.

For example, abusing an Adderall prescription can cause side effects like mood swings, anxiety, and high blood pressure, and drinking alcohol can affect your mood and cardiovascular health, too.

Short-term dangers of combining Adderall and alcohol include:

• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Poor academic or work performance
• Straining relationships
• Irregular heart rate or high blood pressure
• Memory loss

Meanwhile, the long-term effects of mixing Adderall and alcohol can include:

• Developing dependencies and addictions to both substances
• Psychosis or hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Higher risk of abusing other drugs
• Anxiety or depression
• Malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies
• Increased risk of heart attacks or strokes

Warning Signs of Alcohol and Adderall Misuse

Mixing Adderall and alcohol can lead to serious risks, and people who engage in this behavior may not always recognize the warning signs.

Some red flags to watch for include:

• Drinking heavily without appearing intoxicated (Adderall can dull alcohol’s sedative effects)
• Feeling overly stimulated or “buzzed” early during drinking
• Using substances in ways not prescribed, such as taking more Adderall than directed or using it without a prescription
• Engaging in impulsive or dangerous behaviors, like driving under the influence or binge drinking

If you notice any of these behaviors, it may be time to talk to a healthcare provider or explore treatment options.

When to Seek Help for Adderall and Alcohol Use

Not everyone who uses Adderall or drinks alcohol develops an addiction. But when these substances are misused—especially together—it increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder.

You should consider seeking help if you notice any of the following:

• Trying to cut back but being unable to stop
• Needing higher doses of Adderall or more alcohol to feel the same effects
• Spending a lot of time thinking about, getting, or using substances
• Skipping responsibilities at work or school because of substance use
• Hiding your use from friends or family

Dual diagnosis treatment options can help you safely detox from both alcohol and Adderall, while helping you get the mental health care you need to stay abstinent long-term.

Get Adderall and Alcohol Substance Abuse Treatment

Mixing Adderall and alcohol can lead to devastating consequences. Don’t wait to seek help if you or a loved one has issues with combining these substances. Talk to your doctor about addiction treatment options, or visit our treatment help page to learn more.

Written by

Brooke Helton

Medical Content Writer

Brooke Helton is a freelance writer passionate about wellness topics, especially the relationship between physical and mental health. As a contributor to AddictionHelp.com, she’s proud to combine her writing and research skills to inform and empower people impacted by substance abuse.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.