Ragurl,

I don't know whether it is or isnt. but I believe very much that any time a person mixes two drugs together that there can be some very unfortunate reactions.

THerefore, as a precaution, I quit my metadate cold turkey for 1 day so that I could participate in the umm "festivities" at a Christmas party on Friday.. I also chose not to take anything yesterday just in case I had any leftover alchohol in my system.. I was a total dingbat all day, but I had a good time at the party, so it was worth it

The only downside was that my poor daughter started asking mid day if I was going to take my meds or not.. Funny, she never noticed any difference in mom when I was on medication, but the MINUTE I miss a dose, she noticed  big time

I wouldn't ever say it's "safe", but I wouldn't say it's any more dangerous than drinking itself is. I don't adjust my adderall when I know I'm going to be drinking. That said, I have noticed that I don't get the effects of alcohol as quickly as I did before. I have to drink more now to get a buzz. Not that I'm ever really trying to get a buzz, I just noticed that I where I used to get a nice 'glow' from 2-3 beers, now I don't.

The hangovers are a b!tch now - but that could just be because I'm older.

Same thing on Ritalin.

Counteracts the buzz.

     I have just started taking Concerta.  It says not to mix with alcohol so the other night I waited until it had been 12 hours since my dose, I had a few drink at a holiday party and my pulse started racing after about an hour.  I have a slow pulse anyway, so maybe it wasn't as bad as I though, just fast for me.  I read that alcohol makes the meds like Adderall and Concerta release faster into your blood stream and can cause that.  Any suggestions? (other than the obvious, give up drinking  )

     Also, a side question.  Has anyone here ever had the experience that alcohol affects them opposite of non ADD people?  Most people I know when they drink after a time they are tired, ready to go home and go to bed.  But alcohol has the opposite affect on me.  I can stay up all night and am ready to go anywhere and do anything.  It makes me more alert and less anxious.

     I have just started taking Concerta.  It says not to mix with alcohol so the other night I waited until it had been 12 hours since my dose, I had a few drink at a holiday party and my pulse started racing after about an hour.  I have a slow pulse anyway, so maybe it wasn't as bad as I though, just fast for me.  I read that alcohol makes the meds like Adderall and Concerta release faster into your blood stream and can cause that.  Any suggestions? (other than the obvious, give up drinking  )

     Also, a side question.  Has anyone here ever had the experience that alcohol affects them opposite of non ADD people?  Most people I know when they drink after a time they are tired, ready to go home and go to bed.  But alcohol has the opposite affect on me.  I can stay up all night and am ready to go anywhere and do anything.  It makes me more alert and less anxious.

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I just wouldnt take the concerta at all on a day that I am going to drink. I have been told by my Dr. no more than 1 -2 glasses of wine if I was on meds.. so if you cant go off the meds.. limit the alcohol to that.  On meds, Ive kindve lost my taste for alchohol.. dont really want it.. but a party atmosphere is a bit different

As for the alchohol haveing the opposite effect.. yep.. same here. Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that iswierd!!  I am much more alert and relaxed when I have a bit of a alcohol buzz.. it kinda slows the world down a bit, but of course I'm just as ADDled as I am sober, and a bit louder, LOL

Sherry

     You know, I have pretty much lost the desire to drink also.  I was getting to the point where at the end of the day I needed two glasses of wine to relax and chill due to a hard day. I know that's not much, but it's alot for me on a daily basis.  I'm more of a social drinker, never a daily drinker.  The days are going so good now that I'm on meds I find that the urge to have a drink to relax isn't needed. 

     Also, I am curious to know, does anyone else suffer from anxiety in social situations?  Don't know if that is part of ADD, or something seperate alltogether.  I always feel like people are staring at me, or feel like I'm going to do something so totally stupid and everyone will stare.  Sometimes causes panic attacks.  Unless I have a couple drinks then I'm not worried about people looking at me etc.

          Also, I am curious to know, does anyone else suffer from anxiety in social situations?  Don't know if that is part of ADD, or something seperate alltogether.  I always feel like people are staring at me, or feel like I'm going to do something so totally stupid and everyone will stare.  Sometimes causes panic attacks.  Unless I have a couple drinks then I'm not worried about people looking at me etc.

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Yes...it's better now that I'm older and I did some therapy to help me with that specifically because I was tired of it.  I DID marry a very outgoing person who can talk in any situation, and at first it was great because he did all the talking, but now I think I have learned from him a little bit too.  But when I was younger I had panic attacks, and I also drank to help get through social situations.  It's a joke with my friends because I'm pretty quiet but after a few drinks I'm mouthy and I won't shut up. :)

     Also, I am curious to know, does anyone else suffer from anxiety in social situations?  Don't know if that is part of ADD, or something seperate alltogether.  I always feel like people are staring at me, or feel like I'm going to do something so totally stupid and everyone will stare.  Sometimes causes panic attacks.  Unless I have a couple drinks then I'm not worried about people looking at me etc.

Can't see your hair too well in that pic Dave, can we have another angle?

Sorry you ADD'rs don't get to corner the market on social anxiety--us non-ADD'rs can have it too--I do! Why else would they call alcohol liquid courage :)

     I know what you mean about that Davidornado.  I have done that myself, and my 10yr old often does things like that too.  Making herself the center of attention.  I think maybe it's a case of you know people are starring at you, so you do something intentional and then maybe rationalize that the only reason they were looking at you was because of what you did or said.  That way at least in your mind you KNOW why they were looking at you.  Saves the anxiety of going down your list of horrible faults and wondering just which one they were focusing on. Yet another ADD defense mechanism I would think.

Ah, so is THAT why my DH gets so wound up and says ridiculous things when we are out. Last New Years Eve, after dinner with friends he was gone for a while, and when he came back in the room someone said Oh THERE you are, we thought you left. To which he promptly and LOUDLY announces that he just took a big dump. I wanted to die...Honestly I think he does it to embarass ME! And it does. WTF? Just for the record, these were our good friends we were with!