The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol & Adderall

College students, and even high school students, sometimes abuse Adderall in order to benefit from its stimulating effects. Some students use it in order to spend a late night studying, but there’s another recreational use of Adderall that is gaining popularity: mixing it with alcohol. This is dangerous and can result in severe and unpleasant interaction symptoms.

If you suspect someone in your life is mixing alcohol and Adderall, it is important to get them help. Long-term abuse of either substance can have lasting negative effects. Contact The Right Step today at 17135283709 for information about our addiction rehab center in Texas and how we can help.

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Adderall

To understand the risk of mixing alcohol and Adderall, it is important to understand the effects of each. Alcohol is a downer, causing one to feel mellow or relaxed, or more fun. When a person is drunk, they can be disoriented, slur their speech, make poor choices, and potentially overdo it and become ill, blackout, or pass out. It is possible to get alcohol poisoning if you drink too much, and alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and hangover, among other adverse effects.

Adderall, on the other hand, is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. When used as prescribed, Adderall can significantly improve the lives of the individuals who take it. Unfortunately, it is also highly addictive, similar to meth, and has a high potential for abuse. Individuals who use it recreationally but don’t actually need to take the medication feel energized, able to concentrate and focus, and able to get through a task or tasks that they need to complete. This is why it is a common study drug on college campuses.

A dangerous misconception that causes people to mix alcohol and Adderall is that if alcohol is a downer and the medication is a stimulant, their opposite effects will cancel each other out, producing a “good high.” Instead, often the two substances interact with each other poorly, causing serious adverse effects due to a disorienting mix of downer and stimulant effects.

Why Do Some People Mix Adderall And Alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while on any prescription medications is never advisable. Serious reactions can occur. But on college campuses across the country, students are “prepping” for parties by taking Adderall. They may take the pills orally or crush and snort them as powder, which gives a faster effect. The rationalization is this: if Adderall gives you energy and alcohol makes you sleepy, taking Adderall before a night of drinking should keep you energized throughout the night and partying like there’s no tomorrow.

This logic is absolutely misguided. The two substances do not cancel each other out. Instead, they can create dangerous side effects. Trying to drink as much alcohol as possible can easily result in alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal without proper medical attention. Taking a stimulant in conjunction with alcohol means you won’t be as aware of how intoxicated you are, which raises the risk of alcohol poisoning to a whole new level.

Symptoms Of Alcohol And Adderall Interactions

If students think the recreational use of Adderall is fun, especially when combined with alcohol, they should consider whether the negative side effects of such use are “fun,” too. Symptoms of alcohol and Adderall interactions may include:

  • Paranoia
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Convulsions
  • Tremors
  • Migraines
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)

Side effects of Adderall use on its own, especially in someone without ADD, may include:

  • Stroke
  • Arrhythmia
  • High blood pressure
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Paranoia
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia

Recreational use of Adderall is dangerous. Combining it with alcohol, even if you have a legitimate prescription for Adderall, is even riskier. In order to prevent these side effects and symptoms, as well as eventual addiction, treatment should be sought. It isn’t worth putting your life on the line for one night of so-called fun.

Discover Effective Addiction Rehab at The Right Step

Polysubstance abuse is dangerous, but help is available. Take the first step on your recovery journey today. To learn more about the addiction treatment and rehab services we offer, please call us at 17135283709 or fill out our online form.

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