How to Get a Prescription for Both Suboxone and Adderall?

You can get a prescription for Suboxone and Adderall at the same time if you have OUD (Opioid Use Disorder) and ADHD (Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). However, it is important to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid an overdose or any other severe effect on your physical health. Find out what precautions you can take to safely treat addiction and ADHD simultaneously. 

Co-occurring disorders can severely impact your physical and mental health, but an earlier treatment can minimize the risks. Contact ChoicePoint today for a dual diagnosis and begin your recovery journey 844.445.2565.

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What is Suboxone Prescribed For?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved prescription medication for treating addiction to opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, and morphine. It works by blocking the regions in your brain that otherwise bind opioids, making it an effective treatment option for:

• Reducing opioid cravings
• Providing stabilization during withdrawal
• Achieving recovery from opioid use disorder
• Eliminating the risk of prescription drug abuse 

Suboxone’s mechanism of action involves slowing down your brain activity to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), which also makes your brain slow and depresses the central nervous system. 

• Alleviate pain
• Stay calm

If you have been diagnosed with opioid addiction, then you are likely going to be prescribed Suboxone round orange pill or Suboxone strips. 

What is Adderall Prescribed For?

Adderall is prescribed for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Unlike Suboxone, Adderall stimulates your brain, releasing the rewarding chemicals – dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals work together to reduce impulsiveness by providing the following:

• Calmness
• Attention
• Concentration

Getting Adderall and Suboxone Prescription 

However, if you have both OUD and ADHD, then your doctor may prescribe you Suboxone and Adderall at the same time. 13.5% of the adult population in the United States aged 18 to 25 years have both mental health issues and substance use disorders, including opioid misuse. There are two scenarios you can get prescribed both of these medications: 

• If the long-term use of opioids has affected the amount of dopamine causing restlessness (ADHD)  
• If having ADHD has made you impulsive and pushed you into abusing opioids. 

Adderall With Suboxone: Take Precautions 

Adderall and Suboxone can interact with others creating some serious consequences, but if you take measures, you can avoid the side effects. Here are a few of those precautions that can allow you to safely take Suboxone with Adderall:

1. Know if you have to take Suboxone and Adderall together or at different times of the day
2. Do not take any medication or food as instructed 
3. Never decrease or increase your dosages yourself
4. Avoid using Adderall recreationally
5. Have support at home if your treatment is in outpatient settings
6. Immediately call your doctor if you have mixed them overlooking your prescription

MAT and Adderall Use for ADHD Without Prescription.

Adderall and Suboxone Interactions

While you can take Suboxone and Adderall together, research shows that taking them together can mask the effects of each other. Mixing a depressant (Suboxone) and a stimulant (Adderall) can hide the effects of each other, urging you to take more of the substance. Although Suboxone has a misuse blocker- the naltrexone in it, Adderall does not have any such ingredient. It carries a high potential for addiction. Combining it with Suboxone can make you dependent on this stimulant, ultimately resulting in a drug overdose. 

Potential Risks of Suboxone and Adderall

Besides an overdose, a Suboxone Adderall combination can deplete the oxygen from your body, leading to:

• Heart failure
• Brain damage
• Stroke
• Slowed breathing 
• Comma/Death

However, taking Adderall with Suboxone following your doctor’s prescription is potentially safe.

Dual Diagnosis to Treat OUD and ADHD 

The best treatment henceforth to treat both opioid addiction and ADHD simultaneously is getting a dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis confirms the presence of two comorbidities indicating treatment for ADHD and opioid use disorder (OUD). While medications are a part of the treatment, another important aspect of treating co-occurring disorders is finding a facility for Suboxone treatment and therapy near you. 

Therapies

Addiction therapy goes hand in hand with medication for achieving sustainable recovery from co-occurring disorders. A few  therapies to navigate the complexities of OUD and ADHD alike include:

1. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
2. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
3. Motivation Interviewing
4. Contingency Management
5. Art Therapy
6. Yoga and meditation

Research reveals cognitive therapy induces positive behavior changes. CBT group activities are proven to be essential in: 

• Restructuring your thought patterns to control impulsive behavior
• Challenging you to reduce restlessness
• Recommending journaling to increase your focus
• Using relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety related to OUD and ADHD

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note that this assessment is an initial self-screening and is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Polysubstance Abuse Treatment In New Jersey, ChoicePoint 

ChoicePoint specializes in co-occurring disorder treatment. We understand how common it is to have substance abuse disorder (SUD) and mental health issues together. Our DEA-certified staff uses dual diagnosis to provide treatment for mental distress and substance addiction, helping our clients like you or your loved one receive a holistic treatment that meets your needs, focusing on:

• Physical Health 
• Psychological Health 
• Emotional Health

Looking for a solution to Adderall misuse? Finding an Adderall addiction treatment near you helps to minimize your chances of having co-occurring disorders 844.445.2565.

More Information on Suboxone and Adderall

We understand that a co-occurring diagnosis can be overwhelming. We have tried answering a few common questions relating to opioid disorder and ADHD to address your concerns:

What Drugs Cannot Be Mixed with Adderall?

You should not mix Adderall with central nervous depressant medications such as Suboxone. Doing so can adversely affect your health, resulting in heart damage, stroke, and respiratory failure. Here is a list of other drug classes that you should avoid combining with Adderall:

1. SSRI: Zolosoft
2. SNRI: Effexor XR
3. MAO (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors): Nardil
4. Tricyclic antidepressants: Norpramin
5. Proton pump inhibitors: Prilosec
6. A few opioids: Fentanyl

Please note this is not an exclusive list. Refer to your doctor or read an in-depth guide from the FDA. 

Does Suboxone Block Adderall?

No, Suboxone is designed to block opioids. It partially binds to the opioid receptors without creating the euphoria that opioid induces. Since Adderall is not an opioid, so Suboxone does not block it. 

Can You Take Suboxone and ADHD Medication?

Yes, you can take them together, but under the strict supervision of DEA-certified professionals. It is important to consider if your ADHD medication is a non-stimulant or a stimulant. Taking a non-stimulant such as Bupropion with Suboxone is not a problem, but taking Adderall without a prescription can result in negative Suboxone interactions. 

Does Adderall Make Your Mood Better?

Adderall’s ingredients help you focus and increase your attention span. They regulate the release of happy chemicals—dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The short-term effects of Adderall help with concentration. However, since Adderall also affects serotonin, it might improve your mood. 

Can You Take Adderall and Drive?

You should not drive while on Adderall as it is considered driving under the influence (DUI) in New Jersey. Adderall affects cognitive functioning, and it could be risky driving when you are on Adderall. You can be prosecuted for DUI if you drive under Adderall’s influence. 

References

1. The Oschner Journal. 2018. Suboxone: Rationale, Science, Misconceptions
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417/
2. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2018. The Pharmacology of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate: Relevance to the Neurobiology of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Other Psychiatric Comorbidities
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8063758/
3. US Department of Health and Human Services. 2023. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021
   https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
4. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023. Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Populations: Meta-Analysis
   https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1275
5. JAMA Network Open. 2022. Analysis of Stimulant Prescriptions and Drug-Related Poisoning Risk Among Persons Receiving Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9096599/
6. Advances In Psychiatric Treatment. 2018. ADHD with comorbid substance use disorder: review of treatment
   https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/adhd-with-comorbid-substance-use-disorder-review-of-treatment/C0B6C471528932F7402424742F0AA463