Adderall is a medication that is used to treat ADHD. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Organization, 19% of emergency room visits related to ADHD medication from people ages 18-25 also involved alcohol. By learning about the dangers of alcohol use and Adderall, you will learn to go into alcohol abuse treatment and separate the two.
What Makes Alcohol and Adderall Dangerous Together?
Adderall and alcohol have chemicals that affect the nervous system in different ways. Adderall has chemical salts that increase the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine in areas of the brain that improve focus and alertness. Alcohol decreases the effects of those neurotransmitters which slows down bodily processes and brain function. Alcohol acts as a depressant in moderate to large quantities but acts like a stimulant in small quantities. Adderall can intensify and lengthen the stimulation people experience after a few drinks. It can also delay the sedation that alcohol gives you which makes you want to drink more and more, increasing your chances of liver disease.
What Are the Risks of Taking Adderall and Drinking Alcohol Together?
The biggest risk of alcohol and Adderall together is alcohol poisoning. Since Adderall affects the stimulation of alcohol, you may feel like drinking in greater quantities. Alcohol poisoning occurs when alcohol blood levels are so high that they become life-threatening. Drinking can intensify the effects that Adderall has on the body. This can mean having a heart attack, seizures, heart failure, coma, or death. Your risk of increased substance abuse increases, greater likelihood of using illegal or misusing prescription drugs, strained personal relationships, and a lack of sleep.
What Can I Do About My Adderall and Alcoholism?
It is important to speak to your doctor about what you can to treat alcoholism and Adderall abuse. Adderall is a powerful medication that is used for the purpose of helping those with ADHD function. It is not meant to be abused or overdosed on. Alcohol can also make your ADHD worse if you are not careful. If you have a prescription for Adderall, you should not be drinking alcohol during the time you are on it. Many people benefit from an residential and outpatient treatment facility for tackling co-occurring disorders as well as counseling, group therapy, and support group. Being in control of your alcoholism and Adderall addiction will help you be in control of your physical and mental health.
Located in Georgetown, Texas, Alma Loma is a transformative living center to help those struggling in early recovery to transition out of our Psychiatric and Substance Abuse residential center. Alma Loma believes that addiction is born from an untreated mental illness in which our facility is willing to help you. Our facility offers residency, medication management education, individualized treatment, life skills education, 12-Step support, and more tools to bring patients the confidence to be able to live an independent life. For more information, please call us at 866-457-3843.
