I am currently on 40mg of adderall, 80mg of geodon, and 400mg of lamictal. It seems like if I have more than 2 drinks I go completely haywire...I am completely out of my realm and crave other drugs. Does anyone here agree or have the same similar experiences with bi polar. I have been drinking more than usual and just am not sure if I just need to give it time for these meds to star working....any advice would help...

I quit drinking 5 years ago, and just started meds in May, so I have no idea how the two would mix for me.

What I do know, is that drinking or other drugs can seriously impact the effectiveness of anti psychotic/depression/bipolar meds.

In my opinion though, if you want to continue to drink socially, talk with your doctor about it. There may be something else contributing to your exprience or s/he may suggest giving it up for a while.

Best of luck

I felt weird drinking when I was taking Adderall. My tolerance was totally different (lower) and I just felt different. Smoking while on Adderall was weird too.

I'm currently on Dexedrine and feel more like myself in general, including when drinking.
I usually don't drink within 4 or so hrs of taking my Dex. Sometimes that'll make my face a bit red but otherwise I'm fine.

Since finding the right meds (and doing some personal work), I don't feel the need to drink or smoke as much or as often and have cut out other drugs entirely.


How long have you been on these meds?


[forgot to add... I'm also on 400mg Lamictal in addition to the Dexedrine.]

Drinking and these meds do not mix. Actually, drinking and Bipolar don't go together well either. Lots of potential for both heavy addiction AND physically triggering episodes.

Been on meds quite awhile...I just need to socially drink...I had way too many beers this weekend...the adderall keeps me going when I do...its appetite for disaster so i stopped...

...I just need to socially drink...

This worries me. Anytime someone tells me they "need" to drink or use drugs... it sounds more like dependence or abuse. Perhaps you did not mean it that way, I am just pointing out what I observed.

the adderall keeps me going when I do...its appetite for disaster so i stopped...

I am glad you realize the set up for disaster. The tricky thing about drinking and stimulants is that for some, the stimulant will prevent the drinker from having black outs. However the mixed messages that get sent to the heart when using both uppers and downers is a recipe for a heart attack.

As I said earlier, talk with your doc about what you can do safely and without inducing more cravings or any heart problems.

I am allergic to most types of alcohol so don't drink much; however, I attribute this to the medications eliminating my desire to drink more than anything else (I'm not allergic to rum and I love mojitos).

When I first started taking adderall over a year ago, I immediately noticed that I just never felt like drinking any more. I was the type that would go on sprees for a while, then stop completely because the urge to drink would leave and then I would suddenly start again. I would generally drink when manic to calm down and get some sleep and not drink when depressed or normalish.

Insofar as meds are concerned, I take 1500mg Depakote, 6mg Abilify and 90 mg. Adderall. With adderall only, I notice the alcohol affects me less. With the cocktail of meds I take, I take a few sips and start falling asleep right away. Not only is mixing depakote and alcohol probably bad for my liver, it's not very exciting so I haven't had any interest in drinking at all lately. If I really need to sleep, I can just take some Seroquel or Xanax and not risk a hangover the next day. Much better in my opinion.

Been on meds quite awhile...I just need to socially drink...I had way too many beers this weekend...the adderall keeps me going when I do...its appetite for disaster so i stopped...

I totally understand this. All of the people I hang out with are drinkers. Its funny because when I told my doc about this he looked at me. And than grabbed his prescription pad and wrote on the pad "STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL" really big. And legible. I'm still having a rough time with it. Tonight I went out for drinks with a few co-workers. Had A beer. That was sort of a big thing for me. For me, I feel like taking medication in its self is self destructive because it pulls me away from my actual self, and so it makes me feel like I need to be more self destructive so I end up drinking way too much. I am working on not drinking. or limiting myself. It's a rough road.

OK...I understand but my doctor prescribed me anti anxiety medicine when the adderall wears off....is that bad...what would cause a heart attack..the alcohol and stimulants...sorry I got confused....

Yeah just the irritability when the adderall wears off is what makes me drink...it is weird to explain...My doc said just take xanax when I feel like that and it should eliminate the cravings of alcohol...but I guess I havent been listening...thanks for the advice...