Adderall and Xanax are direct opposites. The first is a stimulant indicated for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, and the second is a benzodiazepine indicated for the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. Individually, each has an established medical use when taken as prescribed, but when combined, whether by prescription or otherwise, each masks the other’s effects.
A stimulant suppresses the drowsiness that would signal the need to stop taking a sedative, and a sedative suppresses the physiological stimulation that would signal the need to stop taking a stimulant. Prescription drug misuse often has subtle signs, but this particular interaction has even fewer, because both substances were prescribed in the first place.
The Truth about Xanax
Xanax is the brand name for the active ingredient alprazolam, a benzodiazepine class medication that depresses the central nervous system. Xanax is indicated for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic attacks, and long-term use is generally not indicated for such conditions. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is one of the few drug-related discontinuation syndromes that requires medical supervision, due to the possibility of seizures.
The Truth about Adderall
Adderall is a combination of different salts of amphetamine, indicated for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. As a stimulant medication, Adderall raises the level of awareness and arousal, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and suppresses appetite and sleep drive. Unlike benzodiazepines, stimulant medications are not associated with serious discontinuation syndromes following abrupt cessation, but the effects of stopping are still unpleasant, including fatigue, depression, heavy sleep, and craving for the drug.
Why the Two End Up Together
The combination is usually initiated by the use of a stimulant for studying or working, which suppresses the sleep drive, followed by insomnia and the use of something to fall asleep. The substance used during the night is often a benzodiazepine, which then requires increasing the dose of stimulants in the morning to counteract its depressant effects. The dosing of both substances gradually increases due to their regular and simultaneous use, but this does not prompt people to seek help, since they perceive themselves as fully functional due to the constant presence of both stimulants and sedatives in their bodies.
Adderall and Xanax Facts and Myths
Myth: if a doctor prescribed Adderall and Xanax, it is safe to take them together.
Fact: a prescription covers the dose and the schedule a doctor set for each medication. It does not cover an arrangement you arrive at on your own, which is where the trouble usually starts.
Myth: Xanax cancels out Adderall.
Fact: they both remain fully active in the body, but interact with each other in terms of perception. This means that the increase in alertness from Adderall and the decrease in arousal from Xanax will be less noticeable, which encourages dosage increases.
Myth: Xanax is a mild tranquilizer and is generally safer than Adderall, which is a powerful stimulant.
Fact: stopping Xanax carries the greater medical risk of the two.
If You Are Prescribed Both
Plenty of people are, and it can be managed safely, although it is important to understand a few things at once. First, to manage the interactions between Adderall and Xanax, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive dosing schedule with one doctor. Second, the adjustment of this schedule should also be done under the supervision of a doctor. The question of morning doses of Adderall and evening doses of Xanax is a personal one that can only be decided between you and your doctor.
Signs Worth Taking Seriously
Some of these signs indicate the development of tolerance, others are signs of addiction:
- Taking Adderall and Xanax closer together or with less time between doses than prescribed
- Using Xanax to control the anxiety Adderall caused, or Adderall to counter the sedation Xanax caused
- Need for higher doses of either drug to achieve the same effects
- Development of anxiety attacks between doses of Adderall and Xanax that were not previously observed
- Hiding the use of Adderall and Xanax from others
A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment
The treatment of either substance addiction in isolation is unlikely to be effective in the context of the interaction of these two drugs. The staff at Covenant Hills understands that co-occurring substance addiction and mental disorders require comprehensive treatment. Our mental health professionals make use of cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, and group therapy is a vital component of the healing process.
We have provided Christ-centered drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Orange County for more than three decades. Covenant Hills Treatment Center has a faith-based program based on the Christian twelve-step philosophy, as well as a traditional track for those who wish to explore an alternative route. Our levels of care range from detox to residential inpatient treatment, day treatment programs, intensive outpatient treatment programs, transitional care, and after-care. If a medical detox is necessary for your rehab, we can transfer you to an affiliated medical facility, where this stage of recovery will be overseen by medical staff.
If you have been taking Adderall and Xanax together to mitigate the effects of either, contact Covenant Hills Treatment Center or call us at 844-268-8412.
Adderall and Xanax FAQ
What is the difference between Adderall and Xanax?
Adderall is a stimulant medication indicated for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, and Xanax is a benzodiazepine indicated for the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. They mask each other’s effects when taken together, and both carry a potential for misuse.
Can you be prescribed Adderall and Xanax at the same time?
Yes, although such a decision can only be made by a doctor. The indication for the use of both medications at the same time is the presence of both ADHD and anxiety, which may be a legitimate reason for their combined use.
Can I take Adderall during the day and Xanax at night?
This decision is made between you and your doctor. If both are prescribed and your doctor has set that schedule, follow it; it is not advisable to adjust the dosing schedule independently when two prescriptions are running at the same time.
Is mixing Adderall and Xanax dangerous?
Yes, because the combination of these two medications suppresses their noticeable effects, which often leads to an increase in the dose of both drugs beyond therapeutic levels. In addition, the cardiovascular system is handling stimulant and depressant demands at the same time, which is potentially dangerous.
What are the signs of Adderall and Xanax addiction?
The signs of addiction to either medication individually are taking the drug with less time between doses than prescribed, using them to control anxiety or sleep, and requiring higher doses to obtain the same effect. Adderall and Xanax misuse also manifests itself in insomnia unrelated to stress, depression, lethargy, and attempts to conceal the condition from others. These signs are not specific to addiction to either of the two medications, but the combination of them is an indication of a substance use problem.
What does withdrawal from Adderall and Xanax look like?
Withdrawal from Adderall is uncomfortable but not dangerous; it is characterized by increased sleepiness, depression, and increased appetite. Withdrawal from Xanax can be complicated by seizures and requires medical supervision.
