Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol can make it harder to tell when you’re drunk. This can put you at risk for alcohol poisoning, alcohol abuse and risky behaviors.
Article at a Glance:
- Vyvanse is aSchedule II controlled substanceoften prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Although there are few short-term side effects of combining Vyvanse and alcohol, there are longer-term dangers.
- Risks include ahigher rate of polysubstance abuseand an increase in risk-taking behaviors.
- Treating polysubstance abuse can be complex, but The Recovery Village can help you overcome your struggle with Vyvanse and drinking.
Vyvanse, the brand name for the stimulant lisdexamfetamine, is aSchedule IIcontrolled substance that is FDA-approved for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and binge eating disorder. Drinking while taking a stimulant like Vyvanse is not uncommon. One study showed thatalmost halfof college students taking a stimulant for non-medical reasons had consumed alcohol with the stimulant within the past year.
Evidencedoes not showa link between drinking problems and taking a Vyvanse prescription correctly, but that’s not true for misusing the drug. Misused stimulants can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Misuse applies to many things, including taking Vyvanse to get high or taking more of the drug than prescribed. In fact,experts thinkmixing any stimulant with alcohol at all is misuse. If you’re taking Vyvanse, and intentionally drink alcohol, you’re at a higher risk of drinking problems.
Side Effects from Mixing Vyvanse and Alcohol
Althoughsomestimulants have a direct drug interaction with alcohol, Vyvanse is not one of them.Studies have shownthat short-term side effects are minimal when stimulants are combined with alcohol. However, few studies have been conducted in humans, and lisdexamfetamine (the active component in Vyvanse) has not been studied. Nonetheless, recordedside effects from mixing stimulants and alcoholhave included:
- Euphoria
- Energy
- Being able to drink more alcohol than usual without feeling drunk
- Gastrointestinal side effects
Beyond these rarer, short-term side effects,Vyvanse has side effectson its own that may still come into play. People mixing these substances also face several long-term risks.
Ready to Break Free From Addiction?
If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait—start your journey to recovery today.
Dangers of Mixing Vyvanse and Alcohol
Although there is no cleardrug interactionbetween alcohol and Vyvanse, there are hidden dangers to the combination. Combining the two substances has other long-term risks far beyond its short-term side effects, especially if you’re misusing prescribed Vyvanse or taking it without a medical reason.
Less chance of realizing you are drunk
Mixing alcohol and Vyvanse can mask feelings of being drunk. The stimulant effects of lisdexamfetamine can hide how drunk you really are, so you continue drinking despite severe intoxication. You may not feel like you’re highly intoxicated, but you’re still experiencingalcohol poisoningand its deadly complications. Since so many of the side effects of Vyvanse are psychological, alcohol can heighten these as well.
Why does this happen? Combining alcohol with a stimulant may override the sedative effects of alcohol.Drinking can feel stimulatingwhen you begin a drinking session, but eventually, sedation is a clue to your brain that you need to stop drinking. Without this, you can end up becoming extremely drunk without meaning to.
Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call911immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help.If you do not have access to a phone contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.
Higher likelihood of alcohol misuse
Recent studies showpeople who misuse Vyvanse and drink may be at a higher risk ofabusing alcoholand severe drinking addiction. A person who misuses stimulants like Vyvanse is2.4 timesmore likely to struggle with drinking than someone who doesn’t. They’re also4.7 timesmore likely to struggle with a combination of alcohol and another substance. Stimulant misuse is alsolinkedto an increased rate of binge drinking and societal consequences from alcohol.
Risk of polysubstance abuse
Because both alcohol and Vyvanse are addictive substances, misusing them puts you at risk of polysubstance abuse, or addiction to multiple substances at the same time. The polysubstance abuse combination of stimulants and alcohol puts you at ahigher riskof mental health problems, poor physical health and severe addiction. When you’re ready to quit, polysubstance abuse often means a more complicated detox and rehab process.
Increase in risk-taking behaviors
People who drink while misusing a stimulant are more likely to have anincrease in risky behaviors and interpersonal problems, often because they don’t realize how drunk they are. Theseinclude:
- Driving under the influence
- Having a vehicular accident
- Getting into a physical fight
- Having legal problems
- Being a crime victim
- Regretting a sexual experience performed under the influence
- Being sexually assaulted
- Sexually assaulting someone
Talk to Your Doctor
The dangers of combining alcohol with Vyvanse can be serious. It’s important to not only consider the alcohol in beverages but also in commonfoods, household items andmedications. These include:
- Food flavorings like vanilla extract
- Some kinds of vinegar
- Some types of dijon mustard
- Béarnaise or bordelaise sauces
- Some desserts like black forest cake, fruit cake, and liqueur-filled chocolates
- Cooking sprays
- Some mouthwashes
- Some antihistamines for allergies
- Some cough syrups
- Liquid versions of many prescription medications
Your doctor is a good source of advice about what specific risks these products — and drinking in general — may pose to you while you are on Vyvanse. If you take medications or other products that contain alcohol, your doctor can help you pick alcohol-free alternatives.
Getting the Help You Need
It can be hard to know where to start if you struggle with Vyvanse and drinking. Finding specialized treatment to detox and recover from both substances can be challenging. Our addiction specialists at The Recovery Village are experts in helping people recover from polysubstance addictions, including Vyvanse and alcohol.Contact ustoday to discuss treatment options that can meet your needs.
