Concurrent Alcohol and Concerta Abuse
Simultaneous abuse of Concerta—a central nervous system stimulant—and alcohol—a depressant substance—can have numerous effects on the body. Unbeknownst to many users, each substance can effectively increase the dangers of the other. Substance abuse treatment could make a life-saving difference for someone concurrently abusing these drugs.
The Problem of Alcohol and Concerta Abuse
Concerta (generic name: methylphenidate) is a long-acting, extended release stimulant prescription medication used to alleviate symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It works by effectively increasing the amount of dopamine—a chemical involved in nerve cell signaling and communication—being used by areas of the brain relating to attention and self-regulation.
When used as prescribed, Concerta use can lead to:
- Improved attention.
- Decreased distractibility.
- Increased level of interest.
Despite its effectiveness when appropriately prescribed and taken, the drug has since been adopted for recreational use. As with all stimulants, Concerta has a high potential for abuse. Due to its “party drug” reputation and high numbers of ADHD diagnoses and accompanying Concerta prescriptions (resulting in it being relatively easy to obtain), Concerta’s potential for co-abuse with alcohol is also very high.
Learn more about the effects of Concerta use.
Signs and Symptoms
Concurrent use of Concerta and alcohol can result in dangerous situations wherein users experience both the stimulant and depressant effects of each respective substance, in addition to a number of other effects brought on by the combination of the two.
Effects of Alcohol and Concerta Use
As mentioned, both Concerta and alcohol have specific effects when used alone. When the two are used together, the dangers increase.
When alcohol and Concerta are taken concurrently, users report:
- An increase in euphoric feelings, more than in the case of either drug on its own.
- Decreased perception of drunkenness.
- Increased body movement and restlessness, though the combination of these drugs has been shown to significantly reduce muscle coordination.
When ingested together, even at low doses, the drugs have a notable effect on each other—the alcohol serves to increase the amount of active Concerta available in the central nervous system (Griffin et al, 2013).
Because Concerta is a stimulant and alcohol a depressant, they have mostly opposing effects. This can lead to the increased potential for overuse of both substances due to the counteracting sensations.
Alcohol will continue to have an effect on the body and brain despite the subjective sense of sobriety, which can subsequently lead to excessive drinking and alcohol poisoning or overdose.
Due to their addicting qualities, especially when used together, the long-term effects of co-use of the two drugs encompass all the risks of each drug alone, with an even higher potential for brain damage due to compounding effects.
Alcohol and Concerta Abuse Treatment
Treatment for co-abuse of Concerta and alcohol will vary based on the needs and age of the individual. The patient will have an initial assessment by an addiction treatment professional and will typically go through a period of supervised detoxification.
Detox
It is vital that an individual seeking help with concurrent Concerta and alcohol abuse receives professional assistance and supervision, as detox from alcohol can have severe symptoms that can sometimes be life-threatening. Many inpatient treatment centers offer medically monitored withdrawal and detox as an early part of the treatment process.
Treatment
Multiple treatment options are available to address the roots of addiction and find effective ways to cope with the stress of recovery.
Residential or inpatient treatment offers immersive treatment that takes you out of your everyday environment to focus completely on sobriety.
Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, will provide focused care but not around-the-clock supervision. It has the benefit of allowing you to continue living at home during your recovery process.
In some programs, medication assistance may be utilized as part of the treatment process. In the case of someone who is particularly prone to alcohol abuse, certain medications may be used to curb cravings and ease the recovery process. Additionally, non-stimulant alternatives may be considered for those whose co-abuse involves drugs such as Concerta.
Therapy will address relapse prevention skills, as well as aftercare planning.
In cases of both non-prescribed co-abuse of Concerta with alcohol and situations where Concerta was initially prescribed as part of a therapeutic regimen, individuals will receive the most effective treatment in a program specializing in multi-substance abuse and dual diagnosis conditions.
If you are not sure what kind of treatment might be right for you, call us for free at to speak with a treatment support advisor about finding the perfect recovery program for you.
Key Statistics
Concerta abuse is increasingly common. Consider the following quotes from researchers:
- “Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (Concerta) has been reported to be the most common prescription stimulant used for non-medical purposes in a national survey.” (Kroutil et al. 2006)
- “Concerta abuse seems to be partially driven by the belief that ADHD stimulant medications allow the user to drink more alcohol, thus facilitating late-night partying.” (Godfrey 2009)
Abuse of methylphenidate (Concerta) and alcohol is alarmingly common in college students. A national study of U.S. college students found that:
- Nonmedical users of prescription stimulants were more than 6 times more likely to report frequent heavy drinking than their peers who did not use prescription stimulants.
- In 2005, more than 1 in 10 college students reported using both alcohol and stimulants.
Concurrent Alcohol and Concerta Abuse in Teens
A growing number of teens and adolescents is using prescription stimulants in the belief that it will improve academic ability. In fact, Concerta and Ritalin are often referred to as “smart” or “study” drugs, which has the implication that they are less harmful when abused than they really are.
Recreational use of drugs is especially risky during adolescence because the brain is still developing.
Concerta and alcohol both exert powerful effects on the brain, especially when used at the same time, and so teens should cautiously avoid this dangerous drug combination. Recent studies have found that alcohol is consumed in larger amounts while using Concerta than it is when using alcohol alone (Barkla et al., 2015).
Providing an education about these drugs and their effects, emphasizing the importance of healthy brain development, and staying engaged with your teen will help them better understand the risks associated with co-abuse. Also, it’s extremely important to emphasize that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs when abused.
If you believe a teen in your life may have a stimulant and/or alcohol abuse or addiction problem, call our hotline free at for information about finding an addiction treatment program that will work for you and your teen.
Resources, Articles and More Information
To learn more, check out the following articles:
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