The side effects of Adderall and alcohol can be dangerous. This drug interaction can lead to heart and kidney issues, increase your risk of overdose, and increase your risk of developing an addiction to both substances.
At Tampa Bay Recovery Center, we’re here to help you recover from addiction to drugs and alcohol, including Adderall and alcohol. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use disorder or adderall addiction, our detox in Tampa can help. Call us now at 813-733-7604 or verify your insurance now.
What Are the Side Effects of Adderall and Alcohol?
Mixing Adderall and alcohol can be dangerous. These substances affect your central nervous system (CNS) in opposing ways. This is because alcohol is a depressant whereas Adderall is a stimulant.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mixing Adderall and alcohol leads to unpredictable side effects. For one thing, combining stimulants and depressants “doesn’t balance or cancel out” the effects. Instead, the effects of both drugs are modified or masked, which “may trick you into thinking that the drugs are not affecting you, making it easier to overdose.”
The potential side effects of Adderall and alcohol include the following:
- High risk of overdose
- Heart and cardiovascular issues
- Lung infections and bronchitis
- Dehydration
- Kidney failure
- Increased risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD)
- Reckless behaviors and injuries under the influence
- Psychiatric and medical issues
In addition, since Adderall is a prescription drug for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mixing alcohol with Adderall increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription drug that treats narcolepsy and ADHD. Both conditions are thought to be the result of low activity in the brain. Thus, Adderall works by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS).
However, some people misuse or abuse Adderall for stimulant effects, such as euphoria, increased alertness, and a feeling of invulnerability. In addition, students might abuse Adderall to stay awake while cramming for exams. Athletes also might abuse Adderall to enhance their performance.
Signs of Adderall misuse or abuse include the following:
- Using more than your prescribed dosage
- “Doctor-shopping” to obtain more prescriptions
- Feigning symptoms to get an increased dosage
- Buying another person’s prescription
- Using Adderall recreationally instead of for treatment
Furthermore, mixing Adderall with other drugs or alcohol is a sign of Adderall abuse and could lead to an addiction or other mental health disorders.
Why Do People Mix Adderall and Alcohol?
People mix Adderall and alcohol for a number of different reasons. For some, they could be unaware of the potential danger of the side effects of Adderall and alcohol. They think it is safe to do so because Adderall is a prescription drug.
Still, others intentionally mix these substances for the effects. They might take Adderall to stay up late while partying, where they are also drinking alcohol. Or they could falsely believe that the effects of one will counteract the other (ie, they think that Adderall will help them “sober up” if they drink too much or that alcohol will blunt the stimulant effects of Adderall).
What Is Polysubstance Use?
Polysubstance use is the mixing of two or more substances. While some people unintentionally drink while on Adderall because they aren’t aware of the potential issues, others intentionally mix the two. Regardless of intention, polysubstance use can be dangerous and increase your chances of developing an addiction.
How Is Polysubstance Abuse Treated?
Polysubstance abuse means that you are intentionally mixing more than one substance for the effects. While the interaction of more than one substance can alter or mask the effects of substances, your body still needs to process them. This can lead to medical complications or psychological damage.
Polysubstance abuse, including alcohol and Adderall addiction, is treated similarly to other addictions. However, you need to take into account that you are now treating more than one addiction. Thus, it is vital to be honest about any polysubstance abuse—including prescription drugs—when you enter a treatment program.
Treatment for polysubstance abuse includes:
- Detox: During detox, your body and mind reset after active addiction. You could have withdrawal symptoms, which can be potentially dangerous and lead to relapse. Detox programs help you safely withdraw from the side effects of Adderall and alcohol.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT programs treat alcohol and opioid use disorders with FDA-approved medications. So, if you abuse both Adderall and alcohol, MAT could help you manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse in early recovery.
- Residential Treatment Programs: Inpatient rehab, or residential treatment, is what most people think of when they hear the word “rehab.” During a residential program, you live in the same facility where you get treatment. Most inpatient rehab programs last 30 to 90 days.
- Outpatient Treatment: After residential treatment, it is important to continue treating your addiction. Many people go to a partial hospitalization program (PHP) after residential treatment. After that, they step down to an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
- Dual-Diagnosis Treatment: If you abuse a psychiatric prescription drug, you most likely have a dual diagnosis of a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. Dual-diagnosis treatment addresses both disorders at the same time.
Get Help for Alcohol and Adderall Addiction Today
Mixing Adderall and alcohol can lead to an addiction to both drugs. It can also lead to health complications and mental health symptoms. At Tampa Bay Recovery Center, we can help you avoid the dangerous side effects of Adderall and alcohol at our outpatient addiction treatment programs.
Contact us today to learn more about treatment for polysubstance abuse and other addictions.
