Meds causing alcohol cravings? (lemmy.cafe)

submitted 3 weeks ago by cinnamon@lemmy.cafe to c/adhd@lemmy.world

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I've been on slow release methylphenidate for about a year and it's mostly been a great help with executive disfunction, focus and motivation.

But there's something strange I've noticed: I have a feeling that it's making me crave alcohol (or drugs in general but the only drug I'd take is alcohol).

Before starting meds the number of times I'd drink in a year had already gradually decreased to maybe four or five times and when I started meds I pretty much stopped completely, I've only had any alcohol twice since then.

But I miss it a lot more than I used to and on some days I get an insanely strong craving.

I've read people say that adhs meds helped them with addictive behaviour but has anyone experienced the opposite?

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[-] snooggums@piefed.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

There is a mental association I have with alcohol and weed dulling my senses from before I started taking that exact med a long time ago, apparently self medicating. I still use both socially since as well, but less frequently and only get urges when alone the meds wear off and my mind starts racing.

Pretty sure it is just memory of both working to dull senses from ADHD symptoms from before I was diagnosed. Don't get the urges while the medication is in my system.

[-] kindnesskills@literature.cafe 1 points 3 weeks ago

Is it when the medicine is active or is it a withdrawal symptom?

[-] cinnamon@lemmy.cafe 0 points 3 weeks ago

It doesn't really make a difference.

[-] kindnesskills@literature.cafe 1 points 3 weeks ago

It absolutely could. There could be different options to manage symptoms depending on if they occur at onset, at peak, during withdrawal, or after withdrawal.

But as for answering your question: no, I have far less cravings on meds than off. I have slightly more cravings at night when the meds have worn off, but still almost none unless I'm off the meds for like a week or more.

I have more snacking cravings on meds though. Once I specified it to be late afternoons/evenings, I figured out was because I don't eat enough during the day on meds, then I could manage that symptom by solving the issue.

this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2026

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