Knowing that a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder can be a difficult situation to navigate. Their use is undoubtedly placing incredible emotional weight on your shoulders. How do you manage it all? Is it okay to confront them about their substance addiction?
While trying to answer these questions can be difficult, knowing how to provide help to someone who abuses multiple substances can be even more problematic. A good place to start is by working to better comprehend how substances – like Adderall and alcohol – affect your loved one’s health, and what drives them to abuse multiple substances at the same time.
The Effects of Alcohol Abuse
The negative impact that alcohol can have on a person’s body starts from the moment they take their first sip. The occasional glass of wine with dinner isn’t a reason to be overly concerned, but the cumulative impact of drinking excessive amounts of wine, beer or liquor can take its toll.
Some of the more concerning effects associated with alcohol abuse include:
- Liver Damage
Chronic alcohol use can severely damage the liver and prevent it from properly removing harmful substances from the body. - Heart Damage
Heavy drinking has been shown to be one of the primary causes behind cardiovascular disease. - Behavioral Changes
Alcohol can alter normal behaviors and leave a person without the mental clarity to make smart decisions.
The Effects of Adderall Abuse
Abuse of Adderall can be highly dangerous, as the drug can have neurotoxic effects. Neurotoxicity is damage to the nervous system, and – in the case of Adderall – it refers to neuron and nerve damage caused by high levels of dopamine.
Some identified issues associated with Adderall abuse include:
- Heart Issues and Increased Stroke Risk
Long-term misuse of Adderall may lead to heart problems and increase a person’s risk for stroke or heart attack. - Excessive Feelings of Anxiety and Paranoia
Adderall abuse can increase the heart rate and breathing patterns of someone abusing the substance. These physical reactions can drive a person toward excessive feelings of anxiety and paranoia. - Possible Overdose and Death
An Adderall overdose involves excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for activating the fight or flight response when there’s a sign of danger.
Dangers of Mixing Adderall and Alcohol
There is a mountain of research and evidence that shows how alcohol and Adderall can each cause dangerous health risks on their own. Combining both substances can significantly increase health risks due to the higher toxicity associated with both substances being taken together.
A stimulant like Adderall heightens the risk of a potential heart issue, and the risk is magnified when Adderall is taken with alcohol. This is due to the strain that each substance places on the heart and the way they force the body to adjust and adapt to the contrasting effects of a stimulant (Adderall) and a depressant (alcohol).
Additionally, the liver is responsible for processing any toxic substances that build up in the bloodstream. The body can then eliminate these waste products, usually through urine. However, research suggests that alcohol disrupts the metabolism of a stimulant, like Adderall, forcing the body to hold onto those toxins and increasing the damaging effects connected to them.
Some additional issues can include:
- Behavioral Issues
Consuming too much alcohol reduces your loved one’s inhibitions, which can easily result in both aggressive and impulsive behavioral patterns. When Adderall is added alongside alcohol, it increases the effects of the noted behavior changes. Your loved one may be more likely to engage in situations that can harm others or themself. - Alcohol Positioning
Symptoms linked to being drunk are typically dulled by Adderall. This is why someone taking Adderall while consuming alcohol at the same time can lose track of the amount of alcohol they’ve consumed. This can easily lead to over-drinking, risky behavior and alcohol poisoning.
How to Help Your Loved One with Polydrug Use
If your loved one is struggling with mixing Adderall and alcohol, finding a way to be supportive is important. The physical toll that combining substances can have on a body – physically, emotionally, mentally – is devastating.
That’s why working with your loved one to find a treatment facility capable of handling both the physical and mental health components of polydrug use is essential to safely beginning their recovery journey. Doing your research beforehand can literally be a life saver, because when your loved one decides they want to enter into treatment, you’ll be prepared to help facilitate the transition as quickly as possible.
Discover Life-Changing Alcohol and Adderall Polydrug Use Treatment at Ranch Creek Recovery
Adderall and alcohol have no power over your loved one. Remind them: Their new life starts the moment they declare they have complete control over their actions, health and future.
Whatever your loved one’s situation, Ranch Creek Recovery will tailor treatment to address their specific needs. We go beyond the normal 12-Step program and deliver comprehensive, holistic inpatient services at our serene rehab center in Murrieta, California.
Learn more about our life-changing, holistic treatment programs, or contact us today to get your questions answered.
