Anyone at risk for alcohol or Adderall abuse should know several facts about both drugs. Both drugs are fairly common, and both can be lethal if used in conjunction or in large amounts separately.
Adderall is an amphetamine, which means it is a central nervous system stimulant [2]. As a central nervous system stimulant, the drug can give users a feeling of energy, elation, concentration and even euphoria [2]. For that reason, Adderall is often abused by high school and college students looking to concentrate on a test or on a paper.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning that the drug delays reaction times for users and limits inhibitions. It also lowers critical thinking and motor skill thresholds. The effects of both drugs only last a few hours, but prolonged use could cause long-term organ damage, such as serious liver problems and memory issues. When alcohol and Adderall are used in conjunction, the mix of drugs can be extremely dangerous and even cause death.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol with Adderall
There are several signs of concurrent alcohol and Adderall of which everyone should be aware. If someone is abusing alcohol, they are likely to have impaired brain function, including [5]:
- Slurred speech.
- Blurred vision.
- Delayed reaction times.
- Loss of balance and motor skills.
If too much alcohol is consumed in one sitting, passing out may occur. Large doses of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning, which may cause death when left untreated.
Individuals abusing Adderall will likely seem energized and even highly concentrated. However, there are negative side effects of the drug as well. These negative side effects include:
- Agitation.
- Anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Paranoia.
- High blood pressure.
- Excessive mood changes.
- Abnormal heart rhythm.
- Cardiovascular complications, including stroke.
Adderall is prescribed clinically to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. However, Adderall has quickly become a popular recreational drug for students.
Alcohol is another popular drug for students, making it imperative that young adults have all of the information on the effects of combining the drugs.
Combined Effects of Adderall and Alcohol Abuse
Concurrent alcohol and Adderall problems can be severe, and in some cases they can be fatal. Because Adderall stimulates the central nervous system, it provides a feeling of energy to the user. The drug also stimulates the heart, prompting the organ to beat harder and faster for the duration of the drug’s time in the body, that may result in heart failure or seizures.
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning that the drug is slowing down the heartbeat. When the drugs are used in conjunction, the signals going to the heart can get mixed, causing the organ to start beating out of rhythm. When the heart beats out of rhythm, an arrhythmia can occur, which can be extremely dangerous.
If the heart can’t get back into rhythm, an arrhythmia can cause death [9]. Other serious side effects of using both drugs in conjunction include:
- Paranoia.
- Migraines.
- Insomnia.
- Psychosis.
- Nausea/vomiting.
- Tremors.
- Convulsions.
Find out about how to help a adderall addict by calling our helpline at 1-888-744-0069 .
Treatment for Co-occurring Alcohol and Adderall Addiction
There are several rehab programs available locally to anyone interested in fighting an alcohol or an Adderall addiction. There are also many rehab centers that treat both addictions concurrently. There are usually two rehab options for patients seeking to get sober—inpatient rehab programs and outpatient rehab programs.
Inpatient rehab programs require patients to stay overnight, typically for a duration of somewhere between 30 and 90 days.
Outpatient programs do not require patients to stay overnight, though patients must check in with a medical professional at least once per day. Both program types offer many of the same services and support systems.
The choice of whether to attend an inpatient program or an outpatient program is ultimately up to the patient, the family, and the doctor.
Statistics for Alcohol and Adderall
The usage of prescription drugs is rising in the United States, with college students more likely to abuse stimulants such as Adderall than other groups. This is a troubling trend because of the high rate of binge drinking and alcohol intoxication among college students.
Nearly one fourth of high school students binge drank in 2014 (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014), with 10% of high school students admitting to drinking and driving (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). These are dangerous statistics.
Teen Drinking and Adderall Abuse
Although prescription drug and alcohol abuse has declined in recent years among teenagers, there has also been a decline in perceived harm of regular prescription drug use. This shift in attitude may indicate a rise in prescription drug abuse in future years. Research also shows that most teens continue to obtain these drugs from friends or relatives.
Despite alcohol being illegal for persons under the age of 21 in the United States, people aged 12 to 20 years old are reported to consume 11% of all alcohol in the country (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).
Resources, Articles and More Information
For those interested in alcohol and Adderall articles, resources, and info, there are several references to read:
- The Effects of Adderall Use
- The Effects of Alcohol on the Body (Infographic)
- Rise of the Study Drug: Adderall
If you are interested in getting your life back in order and quitting alcohol and Adderall use, then give us a call at 1-888-744-0069 . We’d be happy to work with you to get you in a rehab program that fits your individual needs. Sobriety is just a call away! Contact us today and let us help you.
Sources:
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., Prescription Drugs. June 2015. Retrieved from: https://ncadd.org/about-addiction/drugs/prescription-drugs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines. January 2014.Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/stimulant-adhd-medications-methylphenidate-amphetamines.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Alcohol: Brief Description. November 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/alcohol.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheets – Alcohol Use and Your Health. February 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions. November 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Notes: Alcohol Abuse Makes Prescription Drug Abuse More Likely. March 2008. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2008/03/alcohol-abuse-makes-prescription-drug-abuse-more-likely.
- Mayo Clinic. Prescription drug abuse: Symptoms. September 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/basics/symptoms/con-20032471.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications. November 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications.
- United States Department of Health and Human Services. Secretary of Health and Human Services. 10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health. June 2000. Retrieved from: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/10Report/10thSpecialReport.pdf
- Columbia University in the City of New York. Go Ask Alice! Adderall: Health risks when combined with alcohol? October 2012. Retrieved from: http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/adderall-health-risks-when-combined-alcohol.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future 2013 Survey Results: College and Adults. April 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/monitoring-future-2013-survey-results-college-adults.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: High School and Youth Trends. December 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen Drinking and Driving: A Dangerous Mix. Vital Signs. October 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/teendrinkinganddriving/.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheets – Underage Drinking. November 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm.
