Concerta causing a craving for alcohol?

[awkward]

So, I was out of meds (Concerta 72 milligrams/ a day) for about four days, two of which happened to be over a weekend.  And, during this time, I did not drink (alcohol) at all, nor did I feel that I wanted to.  This is odd for me, as I am someone who usually drinks on weekends.  Needless to say, aside from being in a pretty good mental state, I wasn't able to focus on anything for more than 10 minutes, and by the end of this period my life started to fall apart.  So I was very happy to get my medication today, and after taking it I was able to do a number of wonderful things such as excersize and shower.  But about an hour or so after taking my meds, I got this intense craving for alcohol.

I am beginning to suspect that perhaps the the stimulants are making me crave alcohol because it is a depressant.

I also take 20 milligrams of Lexapro a day to contradict the effects of Concerta on my anxiety.

Has anybody experienced anything similiar or have any thoughts on what could be going on?

[AuburnSunshine]

72 milligrams of Concerta is a LOT...definitely not recommended. Sure sounds as if the two are connected...I'd be asking your doctor why such a high dosage of Concerta...and why the craving for alcohol.

Whew...I still can't get over 72 milligrams...I thought largest Concerta came in was 56 milligrams...you must be taking two 36 milligram pills a day?

[Velvet Elvis]

It's quite possible that you were self-medicating for ADD with booze in the past and not knowing it.  With less confusion in your head you no longer feel the need to do so.  This is not at all uncommon.

If you're taking that dose all at once it is high, but not unheard of.  Some people, often those with a history of substance abuse, require higher doses.

I was taking 56mgs twice a day for a while. 

If you think you think you actually have a problem with drinking, be aware that sometimes the "need" to drink can sneak up on you at the end of the day as the stims wear off.

[jonathanupr]

odd that you say it caused alcohol cravings for you.....odd because it did that to me too, more so than Adderall has done for me... hmmm... though i didnt dig concerta at all (due to mood swings and irritability and its weakness) . . and i was on 5-10 mgs of Lex at that time as well.  the Adderall i take now is so much smoother, but has a bit more OCD tinge effect on me but not the mood swings, i'll take the OCD tinge over the mood swings and irritability anyday....and the Adderall is so much stronger! in that it wakes me up and allows me to function

[nightowl]

adderall turns me into a booze hound, but leaves me ultra depressed later.  I am on welbutrin, and adderall, today i took 45 mg of adderal to crank out a paper, i noticed i move my mouth around like im grinding my teeth but not, i drink very fast, i dont want to eat, i become extrememley restless, and my anxiety sky rocketed where i didnt want to walk to class. 

I dont know what to do, adderal is a miracle pill for concentration, when im off of it, i am happier, but i eat wayyyyy to much, sleep too much and dont do shit,

maybe im just lazy.... i dont know

but im confused, and very depressed now, with a huge headache, an aching jaw, and a hurting back

cnn stims suck

but i need them to function in this high paced society.

every job wants you to go as fast as possible, drive fast as possible, etc..

rambling

[Stew]

I quit alcohol 5 years ago because I had (have) problem with it. I totally abstined for about 3-4 years then went to having a beer or two every now and then without a problem (I was diagnosed with depression and went on Cymbalta in the interim) REcenlty I started Concerta and the 18mg wasnt doing much for me so Pdoc said to bump to 36-- did so yesterday and it seems like a great dosage for my symptoms, but just like V Elvis says above, when I was coming down in the evening I really craved alchol and had 4 beers last eve-- thats the most at any sitting in 5 years and the only time drinking alone since I quit. That might not seem like all that much but my concern is I was telling myself "no this isnt a good Idea while at same time gotta have a beer, gotta have a beer, gotta have a... POP!/PSST!!! glug glug glug Ahhhhh mmmm thats good.

I think I will be ok if I keep it out of the house again becuase Im pretty sure I can resist going to the store to fill the craving but if its upstars in the fridge, last night showed me that might be a little too risky.

I also took my two 18mgs of concerta at the same time yesterday-- today I am going to try to stagger them by 2-3 hours to see if coming down is less abrupt-I'll still have the level I need in the core part of the workday it seems - does that make sense?