ADD and alcoholic

[closetalcoholic]

anybody out there with add that has alcohol dependency problems like me?

[benjimom]

I think anyone who has a diagnosis of add/adhd or any mood disorder (bipolar, etc) have higher rates of alcoholism than the general public,  It's self medicating.  One OT I went to said she thinks a lot of people with sensory issues have higher rates of alcoholism/drug addiction as well.  It's a hard thing to beat, but can be done.  But I STRONGLY believe both must be treated as equal diseases and worked on very hard, you can't not treat the ADHD/Bipolar, Etc and have good sobriety...

[Sandman2]

Ya, effect would be the same.  Should be no problem (as long as you stay in the "couple" range).

[hazyworld]

is it ok to drink a coule beers with ritalin my dr told me i could drink when i was on adderall and my new dr switched me to ritalin..im guessing its still o to drink he told me i could but thats whiel we were talig about adderall

[michaeljones147]

There are no. of people ADD addicted to alcohol.
ADD, like Alcoholism, is rooted in biology. You can no more will the biological part of ADD away than you can an addition to heroin. ADD is a medical problem and the brain of a person with ADD functions differently from the brain of a person without ADD. The difficulties with attention, concentration, impulse control and activity level is part of their brain chemistry and thus, the way their brain functions. Medications can be the missing link.

Having ADD is like living in a house with a window screen with large holes. You let in the fresh air, but cannot keep out the butterflies. Therefore, the ADD brain is flooded with things it does not want or need to know. It cannot select what comes through the screen. This can lead to increased sensitivity to sights, sounds and feelings. So, in treating the Addicted ADD person we need the 12-step program and we need to deal with the social, relationship, legal and financial consequences a person with ADD may have.
http://www.capobeachdrugrehab.com/add_addiction.html

[closetalcoholic]

Sounds familiar.  Adderall is BAD NEWS.  Was on it for five years, and it was killing me.  Switched to Straterra...much better....on it for four years, but I recently had to go to therapy for alcohol abuse.  Embarrassingly, another addiction that I developed while on these meds is a sex addiction on the internet.  Good thing I am not giving my real name, otherwise I would not admit this. This is the next addiction I will need help for. Anybody find this also?

[dougposh]

Well uh ..... me too! Adderall and go to the boat and drink, browse the web some and hide out. I'm sick of it! I started jogging tonight, no alchohol, no adderall. a little ephedrine only. but i feel so much better.didnt run very far but my wife and i played some tennis and we are both happier. Go figure

[closetalcoholic]

I have found that since I started taking ADD meds, my alcohol craving has risen.  It is like my brain keeps working, but I don't want it to (after hours) so I drink.  At least I think that is why I drink.

[Corbies]

Hi My husband has ADD and is an alcoholic. It's weird as he definately drinks to cope but same as laughingman

"I am add and alcohol makes me feel normal and actually boost my cognitive skills for the first 4 or 5 drinks then its all down hill from there. "

If he doesn't drink he gets depressed. If he drinks too much it's scary. But if he has the right amount it seems to help us all cope!

He has Ritalin but he has found that they make him want to drink more and earlier in the day. Has anyone else found that and does anyone know if that is normal?

He is under the care of a psychiatrist who was the one who diagnosed ADD (and also BiPolar??) He seems like a good doctor but I don't understand why he needs to keep self-medicating with alcohol if he is on Ritalin and anti-depressants. Would he benfit from Psycho Analysis?

BTW I have read that ADD and dependency is common .

[Suchecki]

Right Here

[closetalcoholic]

RStern,

I just entered into an alcohol abuse program....just connection, to answer your question.

[closetalcoholic]

do you find that toward the end of the day, you want your brain to relax, and so you drink?  Because I do.  regular 6 beers daily.

[RStern]

Are you looking for some help?  Connection?  Or just a little moral support?

Rory

[laughingman]

I am add and alcohol makes me feel normal and actually boost my cognitive skills for the first 4 or 5 drinks then its all down hill from there.

[Momtoteenboys]

Self medicating

[clintician]

I believe ADD and addiction are very common.