What is the relationship between Alcohol and Adderall?
The combination of alcohol and Adderall is a very common pairing of substances, especially within the younger generation. Alcohol is a widely consumed social beverage and Adderall is a standard daily prescription, so it is assumed that bringing them together could be harmless. However, the combination of a central nervous system depressant and a central nervous system stimulant creates a dangerous environment inside the body.
Stimulant medications like Adderall are some of the most frequently prescribed medications in the US. For those diagnosed with ADHD, it can help improve communication between brain cells and help a person with increased focus and attention.
Alcohol is a well-known depressant that slows down your brain activity. It is a legal substance and therefore many people believe it to be harmless. On the contrary, alcohol addiction is actually one of the leading substance use disorders globally. The combination of both alcohol and Adderall can lead to unpredictable effects and dangerous unintended consequences.
Stimulants vs Depressants
Adderall consists of amphetamines. It works to increase the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This speeds up brain activity, increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure and produces a state of high alertness.
Alcohol is a depressant that increases the amount of GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) in your brain. This slows down brain activity, relaxes the muscles, lowers your inhibitions and can make you fatigued and sleepy.
Mixing a stimulant and a depressant can send completely opposite instructions to your body. Your body will get confused as to what it is supposed to be doing, resulting in a severe neurotransmitter imbalance from both the substance interactions. Basically, both drugs are pushing and pulling your body in two different directions, ultimately sending chaotic signals all throughout the body.
What can happen if you mix the two?
Adderall is a powerful stimulant. It can actually override the sedative effects of alcohol. This combination can create a masking effect of stimulants on alcohol intoxication. As a result, you may feel alert, energetic and completely in control even when you have a blood alcohol concentration that is far past the legal limit.
Adderall can dull the symptoms of being drunk. It creates a deceptive feeling of sobriety. This can easily lead to alcohol overconsumption. When the physical cues that typically tell you to stop drinking like drowsiness, stumbling and slurred speech, are depressed, you could end up binge drinking more than you realize. This leads to dangerous outcomes such as overconsumption, alcohol toxicity and alcohol overdose.
Other dangerous and unpredictable effects that occur when mixing alcohol and Adderall include:
- Heart palpitations and arrhythmia. The competing signals from the alcohol and Adderall can cause significant cardiovascular strain. The heart will struggle to maintain a steady rhythm and lead to dangerous heart palpitations or severe high blood pressure.
- Extreme dehydration. Adderall and alcohol are both diuretics and force water out of the body. The risk of dehydration from stimulants and alcohol can be severe and lead to overheating, fainting, and hangovers.
- Psychological crashes. When stimulants wear off, a person can experience depressant effects of the alcohol all at once, which can result in feeling high anxiety and deep depressive episodes.
The Hidden Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning
When Adderall and alcohol are taken together, the stimulant effects are strong and can prevent you from feeling the effects of alcohol on your body. You may be seemingly alert and awake and drawn to consume more alcohol than you intended to because your body isn’t sending the typical “stop” signals because it’s being blocked out by the Adderall.
During this whole time, your BAC continues to rise way beyond the legal limits. This can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. You may experience confusion and stupor. You may begin vomiting while unconscious or semi-conscious. You may have a seizure. Your breathing might slow down or become irregular. You might become cold, clammy and pale. These are all signs of alcohol poisoning and you should call for immediate medical attention.
Common side effects of Polysubstance use: Alcohol and Adderall
- Dizziness
- Increased drowsiness and fatigue
- Impaired concentration
- Increased risk of heart issues – increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause irregular heart rate and heart attack
- Increased risk of liver damage
- Increased risk of alcohol poisoning – alcohol poisoning can lead to coma, organ failure and uncontrollable vomiting
- Overdose on alcohol or Adderall – an overdose on Adderall can lead to a heart attack, seizure, heart failure and coma
- Reduced inhibitions lead to aggressive behavior and violence
- Chronic disease
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Malnutrition
- Psychotic issues
- Substance use disorder
Who is most likely to abuse Alcohol and Adderall?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, young adults and college students are more likely to drink in excess due to stress and a busy college life. They are also more likely to take Adderall as a way to excel and get more done. The combination of using both is very popular among this generation.
A 2014 study found that an estimated 48% of high school seniors recreationally used prescription stimulants like Adderall and simultaneously used alcohol at least once within the past year.
A 2019 study found that some students preparing to enter college or grad school who reportedly took prescription stimulants recreationally were more than 3 times more likely to have consumed alcohol within the previous 14 days.
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Harm Reduction and Safety
How long should you wait to drink after taking Adderall? The answer to this depends on many factors. Ideally, you should not be drinking at all while on Adderall. However, complete abstinence can feel alienating, especially during social events, holidays and celebrations.
Immediate-release Adderall formulations last around 4 to 6 hours. If you take the medication in the AM, it is generally out of your system by the evening and drinking alcohol would be less risky.
Extended-release Adderall formulations are designed to slowly release throughout the day. It can last anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. If you take the medication in the AM, it is still likely to be in your system in the evening.
Tips for a Safe Recovery
If you find yourself in a situation in which you have already combined alcohol and Adderall, knowing what to do for your body can help provide a safe recovery.
You should stop drinking immediately the moment you realize you have mixed the two substances. Because of the compounding diuretic effects, drink water or electrolyte beverages to stay hydrated.
Both alcohol and Adderall and suppress appetite and deplete your body of vitamins and minerals. Eat a well-balanced meal to help you stabilize your blood sugar and assist your body in detoxing your liver.
Avoid taking any more Adderall medications. Taking more will only exacerbate your anxiety, elevate your heart rate and delay recovery. Resting and monitoring your body over the next 24 hours is important. Sleeping it off can be the ultimate result button for your disrupted nervous system.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol and Adderall can be a very dangerous combination. It can lead to dangerous side effects, including the development of an alcohol addiction. Professional behavioral health program Hotel California by the Sea provides treatment for alcohol use disorder. We offer treatment at all levels of care, including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/alcohol-adderall
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adderall-and-alcohol
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321542
https://www.alcoholhelp.com/alcohol/drinking-drugs/adderall
https://www.empowerhealthgroup.com/blog/alcohol-and-adderall-side-effects/
