Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Adderall

Mixing alcohol and Adderall can lead to dangerous and life-threatening consequences, including cardiovascular and respiratory problems.¹ This page will help you learn more about the dangers of mixing alcohol and Adderall, as well as treatment options so you can make an informed decision about your health.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a prescription stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder characterized by “sleep attacks”).²

Prescription stimulants are in the amphetamines subclass of drugs and increase alertness, attention, and energy.³ Because of the effects of prescription stimulants, people may misuse Adderall for recreational use or to get high. While Adderall can be beneficial when prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, people also misuse it as a “study drug” and buy and sell it illegally.³

Side effects associated with Adderall use can include decreased appetite, nervousness, and stomachache. More serious effects can include:³

• Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction that can occur when Adderall is mixed with medications, such as certain antidepressants. It can cause several symptoms, including agitation, diarrhea, high or low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and nausea.
• Adverse psychiatric events (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, mania).
• Increased blood pressure.
• Serious cardiovascular events (e.g., heart attack).
• Stroke.
• Sudden death.

Adderall Misuse and Addiction

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 5.1 million people aged 12 and older reported misusing prescription stimulants such as Adderall in the past year.⁴

The misuse of substances includes:²

• Taking a substance in a dosage or way other than prescribed (e.g., snorting).
• Using a substance only for its subjective effects (e.g., to get high).
• Taking someone else’s prescription.

Adderall is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II drug because it has a high potential for misuse or Adderall addiction and can lead to severe physical or psychological dependence. Dependence is a physiological adaptation of the body to a substance, wherein the body becomes so used to the drug being present in the system that when the individual cuts back on their use or quits, Adderall withdrawal symptoms can emerge.⁵

Alcohol Misuse and Addiction

Because alcohol is commonly used and widely available, there is a popular misconception that alcohol use is harmless or without risk; however, alcohol is commonly misused and can potentially lead to serious short- and long-term health consequences.⁶

Alcohol use can have several short-term risks, including increasing a person’s risk of dangerous sexual behaviors, injury (e.g., falling, vehicle crashes), and violence.⁷ Over time, some of the effects of alcohol on the body include damage to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and other organs, and can lead to chronic health conditions such as cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, and increased risk of stroke or certain cancers.⁶

Alcohol has a powerful effect on the brain and can decrease inhibitions and increase feelings of euphoria, making alcohol a commonly misused substance. Sometimes these feelings can motivate a person to drink compulsively.⁸ This can contribute to the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is characterized by an inability to control or stop alcohol use despite negative physical, occupational, and social consequences. This is also commonly referred to as alcohol addiction.⁸ 

Why People Mix Adderall and Alcohol

Polysubstance use is the concurrent consumption of multiple substances, such as Adderall and alcohol. Polysubstance use is common, and a person may mix Adderall and alcohol intentionally or unintentionally.¹

Recreational use of prescription stimulants like Adderall occurs at a high rate among college students largely due to these being known as “study drugs.” Studies show that up to 20% of college students misuse prescription stimulants, primarily by taking medications that aren’t prescribed to them.⁹ Students and non-students alike might use their prescription or take Adderall that they got from someone else as an “enhancement” to get better grades, pull all-nighters to “cram” for upcoming exams, or enhance their performance at work.

People might also mix alcohol and Adderall because they believe it will get them more intoxicated or allow them to party longer. In a 2013 study of college students, 4.9% of participants reported using Adderall and alcohol simultaneously in the past year.^11\0 There is also evidence to support that people who misuse Adderall are more likely to misuse alcohol or other substances simultaneously.¹⁰

On the other hand, someone might be unaware of the potentially serious interactions between Adderall and alcohol. They may drink alcohol after taking their prescription because they don’t know the dangers of Adderall mixed alcohol or may believe that alcohol may counteract Adderall.

Effects of Mixing Adderall and Alcohol

Polysubstance use can amplify the risks associated with individual substances. The combined effects of certain substances can be unpredictable, and in some cases, life-threatening.¹

While research regarding the interactions between alcohol and prescription stimulants is limited, studies have shown an increased risk of negative consequences.^{10, 11} Alcohol is a depressant that impairs coordination and judgment while prescription stimulants like Adderall increase alertness, energy, and heart rate. This can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, potentially leading to risky behaviors. It can also impair a person’s perception of intoxication, leading to overconsumption and increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning.^{10, 11}

Research shows that concurrent use of alcohol and prescription stimulants can lead to:^{1, 10, 11}

Ultimately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against mixing drugs due to the risk of potential negative consequences.¹² Drug interactions can make a drug less effective, increase its strength, or cause unexpected side effects.¹²

Both Adderall and alcohol carry a high potential for misuse and addiction, which makes them even riskier to use at the same time.¹⁰ Studies suggest that people with ADHD may be more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD) as well.¹³

Alcohol and Adderall Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use, Adderall addiction treatment and alcohol addiction treatment programs are available. Treatment can take place in a range of settings, depending on a person’s circumstances and needs.

• Detox: While not always necessary, detox is sometimes the first step in addiction treatment. Detox is designed to help patients go through the withdrawal process as comfortably and safely as possible. While prescription stimulant withdrawal rarely poses significant medical risks, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Patients may benefit from professional detox services where they can receive 24/7 care, monitoring, and support through this difficult period.¹⁴
• Inpatient addiction rehab: Inpatient rehab involves living at a treatment facility full-time. Inpatient rehab offers intensive counseling, therapy, and medical care as needed. This treatment setting offers patients a safe, supportive environment where they can focus on recovery.¹⁵
• Outpatient addiction rehab: Outpatient rehab offers many of the benefits of inpatient rehab, but patients attend treatment during the day and return home in the evening. This option may suit patients with less severe addictions.¹⁵

If you are struggling with Adderall and alcohol misuse or addiction, having a conversation with your doctor can be a great way to start the search for a treatment center. You can also use our treatment locator tool to find addiction rehab near you.

Or you can look at the facilities listed below to see if they provide the program you are looking for:

• California: Laguna Treatment Center
• Florida: Recovery First Treatment Center
• Florida: River Oaks Treatment Center
• Nevada: Desert Hope Treatment Center
• Mississippi: Oxford Treatment Center
• Texas: Greenhouse Treatment Center

Getting Help for Polysubstance Use

If you’re looking for a rehab center near you or out of state, you have options. You can start by talking to your doctor about your concerns and ask for referrals. You can also use our directory tool which allows you to search for a rehab center based on your criteria, including location, payment options, and types of care.

For those who have insurance, using health insurance to pay for rehab should cover at least some of the cost of addiction treatment. Depending on your individual insurance plan, treatment at a specific facility may or may not be covered. It’s important that you know what is covered prior to attending a rehab. Use the free online insurance coverage checker tool below to find out if your health insurance provides coverage for addiction rehab and other rehabilitation treatment plans for substance abuse recovery.

Coverage may vary depending on your needs and insurance plan. To find out if your policy covers rehab, click here, or fill out the form below. Your information is kept 100% confidential. You can also click here to find a rehab near me.

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below if your health insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

If you need assistance, you can contact American Addiction Centers 24 hours a day at to speak with an admissions navigator. They can answer your questions about substance use, provide information on treatment, and verify your insurance. Calling is confidential and free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment.