Lately my ADD spouse has been taking an extra dose of Adderall after work. I admit most times it helps the evenings home go more smoothly. Except when he has a strong ale at the same time. I don't know if one beer would affect his mood on the medication because on a few occasions he would jump down my throat for what he felt was a knock on his character.
I came from a dysfunctional upbringing where I was never made to feel safe and secure and I need someone to let me know I can be safe and secure with them. I never get this from my husband. I don't even demand it, it's just something I'll comment on, whether it's me, the house, our kids, and I want more than anything to hear that everything will be OK.
With an ADD partner, I can never get that feedback that is essential. I have to accommodate everything for him; every time he explodes it's either my fault or it's the ADD "talking"... but I feel it has to do with how the alcohol mixes with the Adderall, and also having alcohol before he comes down from the Adderall.... does any of this ring a bell with anyone?
He has made many excuses about the alcohol use that the Adderall is out of his system, or that he's having a few beers and then popping 40 mg of Adderall over the course later that day. Or it seems he's drinking in between doses. He takes 10mg every 3 hours. and somehow he manages 3 beers during the day. He's not even drinking draft beer, he's out buying bottles of the expensive ales which seem to be a lot stronger in alcohol content... should I speak to his neurologist?? Also, he used to self medicate with pot and now it seems to be alcohol. Not hard liquor but strong beers.
Bourbon as sleep aid
Submitted by Standing on
My husband has been taking Adderall for a couple years, but he does not keep me informed about when/whether he is taking it or how much. I do know that he is running out of it only two weeks into a month... so I suspect erratic/over - dosing. He has also been exhibiting some manic behavior over the past few months, along with some outburst of extreme rage, which I believe are directly related to the bottles of bourbon which I found stuffed down into his chair. When I asked him about these, he brushed it off as something that he is using not to "feel a buzz", but only to get to sleep. He also takes multiple sleeping pills (over the counter variety), so - besides his recent raging - I have expressed great concern both to my husband and to the Psychologist with whom we've been meeting weekly. Now he will be scheduled for a complete assessment, since his behavior seems to indicate the possibility of bipolar in addition to... ???
After being confronted BEFORE A WITNESS with his out-of-control behavior, he becomes seemingly quieter and more aware. For a bit. And only if confrontation occurs before a witness, otherwise - expect rage. He now seems to be in a quiet phase, and I have not found any more alcohol since I drew that boundary/rule. However, I would not be surprised if he has a bottle stashed in his vehicle, since he lies as easily as he breathes and has the memory/self- awareness/reliability of a gnat.
Anyhow, based on my own experience of having been raged at for 2 hours straight when he'd had a couple 'shots', I have definitely judged that alcohol is not something my husband should be using... to sleep or for any other reason. I hope you will get some answers.
I agree that some form of
Submitted by copingSAH on
I agree that some form of "witnessing" or "exposure" helps to keep the out-of-control behaviors in check. It is only temporary while the "witness" or 3rd party is still in the vicinity but then it all returns to the same routine.
I spoke to the neurology office about the alcohol concerns confidentially and they said they would discuss it with him. As to whether or not they did, he made no indication to me after his last visit, however the past week it seems he's decided to replace the alcohol with working on the property upwards of 8 hours a day. :(
Further reading lead me to understand that Adderall has an effect of causing the brain/body not to feel the effects of alcohol as much, so that the person taking it would presumably imbibe in even more alcohol in order to feel the buzz. In fact, before they realize, they will have crashed with a higher than average alcohol intake. I think this is the reason we hear behind needing alcohol to "getting sleep" -- it's more like they crash from the alcohol intake.
Thank you very much for
Submitted by Standing on
Thank you very much for sharing what you’ve learned about alcohol with Adderall! Makes sense. In a recent counseling session, my husband did volunteer that the medication causes him to not feel much of anything. Although it may increase his ability to focus on a task, it definitely does appear to decrease his ability to empathise. (which seems virtually nonexistent anyway!)
How do you feel about the lack of feedback about his visit to the neurologist? One of the things that hurts me the most is the way nothing gets acknowledged or discussed, like any info the doc’s office might provide at a visit. I don’t know if that’s because of avoidance or if he simply does not think of it again, due to distraction/memory issues. Anyway! If the Neurologist did follow through and discuss potential alcohol interaction, I think it’s kinda cool that he took heed and stopped drinking… unless it’s a coincidence and he’s simply not feeling the desire for alcohol, since he’s getting more physical activity. Do you notice improvement in behavior when he’s more physically active? My husband rarely moves out of his chair. His hyperactivity is generally internal, although there are occasions when he will aimlessly stomp around like a drill sergeant (I guess this is when his frustration is overwhelming).
By the way, since my last post on this thread, I still haven’t found any more booze around the house, nor have I smelled it on him, but he can be pretty stealthy when he wants. He is still playing it relatively cool, but I have needed to sidestep a couple of potential landmines when he’s been forced to leave his comfort zone at work. He’s been trying to zone out by doing some mindless tasking, in his own little world, but occasionally he is called upon to do some actual, fruitful labor and… look out. He plays the “I’m the boss” role to the hilt. I am hoping to locate other, more rewarding employment before my ability to sidestep fails me.
Found Xanax
Submitted by Standing on
This morning, I found a xanax pill on the floor.
That explains it.
I have no right to know and no interest in the outcome. (In his view)
So why do I keep trying to fit in?
Also worried about husband and alcohol
Submitted by dedelight4 on
This is another item of concern for me. My ADHD husband is on Concerta, but he drinks at night so that he can "fall asleep", or so he says. The past few years he has been drinking several shots of Sambuca (Italian liquor) at night. (strong stuff) He was going through an entire bottle every 2 to 3 days. Since this type of alcohol is loaded with sugar, DH wakes up with a headache/stomachache due to this, but kept on drinking it anyway.
He recently switched to beer and wine, but I'm still concerned about him drinking while being on his ADHD medicine. This also seems strange because my husband HATED his brother and sister for both being alcoholics/drug addicts. He has ranted and raved about this ever since I met him, telling me how terrible his life and their lives were because of his siblings "alcoholisms". But, now I am getting concerned about possible alcohol addiction with my husband as well, because of the family history of addiction. I know he's not TRYING to become an alcoholic, but if he drinks enough alcohol.......LONG enough, wouldn't he also be in danger of becoming one himself? AND, because he takes Concerta, which is a dangerous mix with ANY alcohol.
He won't hear anything from me about this, so I'm going to tell our therapist, who we see next week. Maybe she can give him some insight.
No one TRIES to become an
Submitted by funnyfarm on
No one TRIES to become an alcoholic...and if he is he will probably deny it.
I know my H has a drinking problem, his therapist says he has a drinking problem, my therapist says he is an alcoholic, but he does not think its an issue at all, because he rarely gets stumbling drunk, and he doesn't go out an drink at bars, it doesn't matter that he drinks a 6 pack every night, All by himself, this isn't 'social' drinking, and very often he does shots at night after everyone is in bed. I know because i see the glass and lemon wedges on the counter. it doesn't matter that when he drinks he becomes an angry nasty person... no..all this is normal guy behavior to him. He stopped taking all his meds a year ago, stopped seeing his therapist too, just decided he didn't need it... yeah ok, just keep denying it buddy.