Introduction
The most often prescribed drugs in the United States are stimulants. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects both adults and children, is the health condition that is most frequently treated with stimulant medications.
When using a stimulant medication, it is critical to be aware of other substances that may interfere with their effectiveness. Combining these drugs with alcohol may have negative side effects.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is made up of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine is under the class of drugs known as stimulants. Both dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are central nervous system stimulants that impact the brain and nerves that support impulse control and hyperactivity.
What Is Adderall Used For?
Adderall is typically prescribed for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps treat ADHD symptoms and aids in paying attention, sustaining attention during a task, and managing behavioral problems. It may also help in work organization and listening skills. Aside from ADHD, Adderall is also used to treat a sleeping disorder (narcolepsy).
Your medical condition and your reaction to treatment determine the dosage. During treatment, your doctor may occasionally consider discontinuing the medication for a brief period of time to check whether there are changes in your behavior and whether the drug is continuously needed.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
Adderall is absorbed and metabolized through the gastrointestinal tract. Your liver then breaks it down, and it exits your body through your urine.
The half-life of Adderall is between 9 and 14 hours, which means that between 9 and 14 hours after taking it, only half of the medication is still in your system. For instance, if you took 10 mg of Adderall at 12 PM, 5 mg would still be in your system at 9 PM. At 6 AM, 2.5 mg will still be in your system, and so on, until there is 0 mg. As a general rule, it takes 5.5 half-lives for a drug to leave your system.
Adderall typically leaves your system entirely clear within 72 hours (3 days). However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, such as an individual's metabolism, body composition, and age.
Read More About: How Long Does Adderall Stay In Your System
Adderall Addiction
The federal government categorizes Adderall as a Schedule II drug, similar to cocaine. This indicates that there is a significant likelihood of substance abuse. Adderall stimulates your brain's reward center by increasing neurotransmitter norepinephrine and dopamine levels, which can cause euphoria (a state of pleasure and high).
Long-term drug abuse of Adderall can cause physical dependence or tolerance, which means you'll have to take more of the drug to have the same effect.
Adderall Addiction Signs
Those who abuse Adderall may show the following signs:
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- Intense craving for the drug
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- Having agitation, anxiety, or paranoia
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- Having no appetite/ weight loss
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- You cannot stop using it even if it harms your relationships, work, or finances.
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- You take hazardous risks in order to acquire or consume the medication.
Note that an overdose of Adderall may cause death. A person should never use Adderall without a prescription or under the supervision of a doctor.
Side Effects of Adderall and Alcohol
According to research, Adderall abuse is far more prevalent in young adults or college students than in the general population. Another study has discovered an increase in the non-medical use of ADHD drugs. According to the research, more than 7% of people between 18 and 49 years old engaged in Adderall abuse. The same study discovered that more than half of those who misused ADHD drugs also consumed alcohol while taking them.
Alcohol acts as a depressant, while Adderall acts as a stimulant, but they don't balance one other out. Rather, they are in conflict with each other inside of your body. This impact may cause serious health issues.
An individual's mood may improve temporarily after consuming alcohol. It could be comparable to the stimulant effects of stimulant drugs. However, if a person drinks too much alcohol while taking high doses of Adderall, they could experience symptoms such as:
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- Increased body temperature
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- Poor coordination and unsteady movement
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- Reduced capacity for rational thinking
Adderall and Alcohol Abuse
Studies have shown that alcohol consumption and prescription stimulants ingestion among high school seniors and college students may be associated with:
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- Higher risk of substance use disorders
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- Lower grade point averages
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- Exacerbated or extended effects of alcohol use and stimulant use
In addition to an increased risk of developing substance abuse problems, those who combine Adderall with alcohol use are more inclined to experiment with combining a prescription drug, a stimulant drug, and any other illicit substances.
Furthermore, there are serious health risks associated with mixing Adderall and alcohol:
Alcohol poisoning is a serious danger from mixing alcohol and Adderall. Adderall can mask the effects of alcohol intoxication. As a result, those who combine both alcohol and Adderall are unaware of how much alcohol they consume. This may result in binge drinking and its associated negative effects, including alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes more alcohol than their liver can digest. Blood alcohol levels that are too high prevent the body from functioning correctly, which can lead to death.
Taking Adderall along with alcohol can cause Behavioral issues. Excessive drinking can lower your inhibitions and cause aggressive actions. Both of these effects can be amplified by adding Adderall to your alcoholic beverages.
Heart problems are a potential side effect of Adderall and other stimulant medications. This risk increases if you take more than the recommended dosage. Additionally, there is a higher risk when the drug is combined with alcohol.
Adderall Addiction Treatment
There are no prescription drugs that are approved to treat Adderall addiction. Instead, there are professional treatment options that can help manage and monitor an individual as they go through a detoxification process.
Withdrawal from stimulants like Adderall may be highly unpleasant and stressful for the body. Your doctor will suggest you attend an inpatient or outpatient rehab or detox facility. Moreover, your doctor will assist you in navigating the withdrawal process and managing any withdrawal symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stimulant medications for ADHD increase the activity of two neurotransmitters in your brain: dopamine and norepinephrine. Because of this, you can focus and buckle down. On the other hand, alcohol causes your body’s vital processes to slow down, which can cause symptoms like slurred speech and delayed reaction times.
Alcohol acts as a depressant, while Adderall acts as a stimulant, but they don’t balance one other out. Rather, they are in conflict with each other inside of your body. This impact may cause serious health issues.
Seek emergency services right away if you’re worried that mixing alcohol and Adderall might harm you or if you’re experiencing any negative side effects.
If another individual exhibits signs and symptoms of an Adderall overdose but is unable or unwilling to seek medical attention, someone else must do it on their behalf.
When you drink alcohol while on Adderall, you may feel your mood improving. It feels similar to taking small amounts of Adderall. However, if you drink more alcohol, you could encounter symptoms such as:
Slurred speech
Higher blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Increased body temperature
Poor coordination and unsteady movement
Delayed response time
Reduced capacity for rational thinking
Disorientation
Impaired judgment
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness
You should not mix Adderall with alcohol since it is harmful. The labels for ADHD medications caution against drinking alcohol. Furthermore, doctors advise against drinking alcoholic beverages until the effects of your ADHD medications have worn off.
You should consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist to confirm how long after taking Adderall you should wait before drinking alcohol.
Dangers Of Mixing Adderall And Alcohol
Mixing alcohol and Adderall might trigger your heart to work harder. This increases your chances of acquiring heart problems. The combination may cause chest pain and heart attacks in extreme situations.
Individuals who are taking Adderall with alcohol are also potentially at risk of alcohol poisoning. Those who drink alcohol and Adderall together are unaware of the amount of their alcohol intake. Blood alcohol levels that are too high prevent the body from functioning correctly, which can lead to death.
If you struggle with alcohol addiction or other substance use disorders, speak with your healthcare provider about your health risks and treatment options.
Written By
Dr Ryan Peterson