ADHD Questions
Questions
Do people with ADHD react differently to alcohol?
December 24, 2022
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Individuals with ADHD can be more susceptible to the loss of inhibition that comes with alcohol
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They are at a higher risk of developing alcoholism.
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Alcohol can interact with some of the medications prescribed for ADHD.
A small clinical study found evidence that alcohol affects the minds of those with ADHD differently.
In this study, participants with ADHD had significantly more trouble inhibiting themselves on alcohol than those without ADHD.
Increased Sensitivity to the Disinhibiting Effects of Alcohol in Adults with ADHD
Researchers asked users to perform a small task on cue and inhibit themselves when given a “no go” cue. Researchers found that without alcohol, there was only a relatively small difference in performance between those with ADHD and those without ADHD.
Once the participants were given alcohol, those with ADHD had more significant struggles inhibiting themselves from performing the task when given the “no go” cue.
Study subjects with ADHD were far less likely to stop themselves from impulsive behavior.
The study was a small study, and it used a contrived task in a laboratory setting.
But, the results did provide statistically significant evidence that alcohol affects the minds of those with ADHD differently.
How alcohol interferes with the body in ADHD
ADHD is a condition that affects the mind. But, the medications commonly used to treat ADHD affect the body, and these effects can interact with alcohol.
Ritalin is one prime example. Typically, Ritalin is a very safe medication when taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. However, studies have shown that if someone takes Ritalin and drinks, their body can create a toxic substance called ethylphenidate.
Methylphenidate and Alcohol combine to form ethylphenite
Ethylphenidate is what doctors call a metabolite. It is a chemical compound produced by the body as it breaks down another compound.
Experts are concerned about methylphenidate in particular because it has been linked to severe illness and death, though the risk has not been well quantified in clinical trials.
There is a single case report of a death associated with ethylphenidate in Germany, and a case series of 19 deaths in the East of Scotland, but otherwise, the contribution of ethylphenidate to death is poorly documented.
Maskell at Al, University of Huddersfield
Ethylphenidate is a psychoactive chemical closely related to Ritalin. When your body digests Ritalin and alcohol, it generates small amounts of ethylphenidate. It has been linked to several cases of death for individuals drinking while taking Ritalin.
ADHD is tied to a higher risk of alcoholism.
There is evidence that those with ADHD might have a greater risk of developing an alcohol use disorder than other drinkers. They might be more susceptible to addiction.
One study found that among alcoholics, around a third might have adult ADHD, in many cases without knowing it.
In fact, based on interviews with the participants, many may have had ADHD as children as well.
Do Alcoholics Have ADHD? A study estimated that many chronic today may have ADHD as adults, and may have had it when they were children as well.
Many users on Reddit have described similar experiences with alcohol. Oftentimes, those with ADHD are aware that they are at higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder, as you can see from the comments below.
Many users felt alcohol improved some of their ADHD symptoms and helped them feel more normal.
This is consistent with studies that have found that individuals struggling with ADHD symptoms may self-medicate with alcohol:
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The findings underscore the vulnerability of young persons with
ADHD symptoms to smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use, possibly as a means of self-medication, and
emphasize a need for early identification and treatment to reduce the risk of escalation