I didn't stop drinking

I was diagnosed with ADHD about five months ago, and it’s been a journey. My wife, who has been incredibly supportive, recently told me something that really broke my heart—she said she’s been scared of me because of how angry I get. That hit me hard because I thought I was doing better since starting Vyvanse.

At first, I reacted poorly. I deflected and blamed her for ignoring me. But after reflecting, I realized that when multiple things go wrong at once, I get overwhelmed, frustrated, and can sometimes fly into a rage. It’s something I need to work on.

Today, a nurse friend of mine came over, and they told me I should stop drinking alcohol altogether. I love a good beer—IPAs and XPAs are some of my favorites—and I hadn’t really thought about how alcohol might interact with my medication. But then I looked it up, and honestly, the list of potential side effects was terrifying:

Dramatic changes in blood pressure Increased heart rate, chest pains, heart attack, stroke Risk of seizure Irritability, aggression, hyperactivity Memory lapses, mood swings, paranoia, delusions The list goes on, but you get the idea. Seeing that really made me stop and think. I guess I have to quit alcohol now, and while I know it’s probably the best decision, it’s tough because I genuinely enjoy drinking socially.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Did you notice any changes in your mood or health if you kept drinking after your ADHD diagnosis and then stopped? I’d love to hear your experiences.