Mixing Adderall and Alcohol

According to new research conducted by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emergency room visits due to Adderall abuse have spiked dramatically in young adults in the last several years. However, the study also found that prescriptions for the medication hadn’t increased. College-age adults are obtaining the medication from family or friends, which accounts for the lack of increase in doctor prescriptions. One reason for emergency room visits is that young adults are mixing Adderall and alcohol together for a dangerous combination. When these substances are abused by young adults, a college student addiction treatment center is a useful resource.

Do you or your child need alcohol addiction treatment? Call us at 866.605.0532 to find out.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, a stimulant similar to Ritalin. This medication is commonly prescribed for people who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s also prescribed for other conditions such as narcolepsy. Adderall increases the activity of certain chemicals in the brain that help to control impulses and keep people focused.

How Does Adderall Work?

It may seem unusual that a stimulant would be useful for a condition of hyperactivity. However, the medication stimulates the brain to focus and pay attention. People diagnosed with ADHD struggle with concentration. The medication also helps individuals have better self-control over problem behavior, and it helps them with organizational tasks.

Adderall is a short-acting medication, which means that its effects only last for a few hours. It is important to take Adderall as prescribed by a doctor in order to avoid potential abuse or addiction. Some people may experience side effects from taking Adderall, such as trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

How is Adderall Abused?

Anyone who takes the medication without a prescription is abusing Adderall. College students often don’t realize the seriousness of taking a medicine that isn’t their prescription. Without a physician’s supervision, then the risk of overdose, dangerous side effects, and addiction are high. College students may think that Adderall is a helpful study aid since the medication gives them better focus and concentration while in class. This can lead to dangerous consequences.

What Happens with Mixing Adderall and Alcohol?

On college campuses, alcohol abuse is typical. Students may not even think about the fact that they are mixing Adderall and alcohol until it’s too late. So, why are the two substances so dangerous when taken in combination? As stated above, Adderall is a stimulant. Alcohol, however, is a depressant. The problem is they don’t cancel each other out. Here are some of the specific issues that arise when you mix Adderall and alcohol:

• Adderall makes you feel less drunk, potentially causing alcohol poisoning
• Heart rate increases
• Blood pressure rises
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increase in body temperature
• Overdose

Using this medication without a prescription or in combination with alcohol is a severe issue. However, stopping use abruptly may result in withdrawal symptoms and requires supervision of trained professionals.

Help for Adderall Abuse

At Beaches Recovery, our compassionate and trained clinicians will help you safely come off Adderall. For example, we have the following programs to assist you:

• Partial hospitalization program: Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is our highest level of care. It includes around-the-clock monitoring and support in a structured and therapeutically rich environment.
• Inpatient program: Our inpatient program is for people who need more support than what our PHP offers. It includes 24-hour supervision and care in a safe and secure environment.
• Intensive outpatient program: Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a middle level of care that still offers a high level of structure and support. IOP includes group and individual therapy sessions several times a week.
• Residential drug treatment: Our residential drug treatment program is for people who need a higher level of support than what our IOP offers. This program includes 24-hour supervision and care in a safe and secure environment.
• Dual diagnosis treatment: We also offer dual diagnosis treatment for people who have a substance abuse problem and a mental health disorder. Our dual diagnosis treatment program includes individualized care that addresses both issues simultaneously.

Don’t let addiction hold you down in life. Find out the truth about mixing Adderall and alcohol and overcome your addiction by going to a top-notch drug rehab. So contact us at 866.605.0532, and we’ll get you on the right road.