Hey Dad,

I appreciate you reaching out, as I understand you.

You're asking what to do?

Talk to your prescribing doctor about your use of alcohol. That's where I would start. When I first went on Adderall 3 years ago, I was taking nicotine lozenges to deal with my decision to quit smoking cigars. On Adderall, I noticed that I could spend 12 hours on the internet and consumer huge quantities of nicotine. I finally figured out that I should mention this to my psychiatrist. He immediately switched me to Concerta.

You may need to try a different med. Or you may have an alcohol problem or you may have an isolation problem or a combination of all of these.

Since you asked, I'll tell. The best thing you can do for yourself to is find the best counselor/psychotherapist you can find ... one who has some familiarity with adhd and addiction. Because adhd people have higher rates of addiction than others, it's like that if you find someone who knows about adhd, they will also know something about addiction.

The point is that you need professional feedback and evaluation and accountability. It helps to tell someone I had this much to drink on this many days last week. The therapist will say, well that's not too bad or wow, that's a lot. Let's talk about what's going on and let's talk about your options if you have a serious alcohol problem.

Also, despite your saying that you're doing well at work, it's pretty clear that you are alarmed about your drinking and your isolation. Best move is to get to a counselor ... And I mean IN ADDITION TO the doctor prescribing you the meds. My psychiatrist meets with me 10 minutes every two months. He doesn't walk to talk or hear long stories about what's going on in my life. He just wants to make sure I haven't developed some horrible condition that my meds would exacerbate.

Psychotherapists and counselors conduct 45 minute sessions. They can talk. And what you're getting is a brain that can help you figure out what's reasonable and what's healthy.

Good luck.

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I had the same situation. Actually, I believe I used my eating disorder as a "self medication" for years to deal with undiagnosed ADHD. But slowly but surely, similar to what you have described, I started drinking more and more alcohol. It was easy because my soon to be ex-hu,sband is a huge drinker. My drinking began really getting out of control when I started having a little in the afternoons, not just that "socially acceptable drinking and "just drinking while cooking, because the weather is nice, the lake, ...."". I started going to therapy and AA in April 2010. I got sober Sept. 23, 2010 (and still am), was served divorce papers Oct. 20, 2010, am still in hell regarding the divorce process, and started working full time again after 10 years about a month ago........ I have also been on ADHD meds and "unofficially diagnosed" since May, 2010. Since addressing the ADHD, the drinking and eating disoder are under control. Somehow, since really treating my ADHD, I've managed to not need the other "self meds" and somehow handle a great deal of stress in my life without resorting back to alcohol. I also believe the "right" med and the "right" dosage are huge. It took me months to quit drinking, but once I quit, it was like, "well, I made it a day, why blow it now...I'll try one more day" I had to completely change my routine. Instead of sitting around lonely at home after my kids went to bed and drinking so much that I couldn't remember what happened at the end of "Lost" so I could discuss it with my friend the next day....I started going to AA meetings. There was one close by, I'd hop in my car while my ex was at home drinking, and I'd be home after an hour, armed with a little more courage and strength I got from the meeting. Its hard when alcohol is everywhere, but with the support and finally realizing that my friends still loved me sober AND I think my children enjoy me a great deal more, as I do them......its totally worth the while. Email me, I don't get on websites much, allendanir@hotmail.com.

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