Common Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Speed
Those addicted to speed and alcohol face a rollercoaster ride brought on by the two substances. Speed, or amphetamine, is a psychostimulant drug that dramatically increases wakefulness and focus. The drug also reduces hunger and sensations of physical fatigue. Alcohol works as a central nervous system depressant, causing drowsiness and slowing reaction times. The combination of the two drugs can cause confusion in the body and amplify the effects of each.
“The drug also reduces hunger and sensations of physical fatigue.”-Projectknow.com
Prevalence of Substance Abuse in the U.S.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, alcohol contributes to one in 30 deaths worldwide. About 21 percent of Americans reported drinking more than three alcoholic beverages per week. Alcohol is regulated by state administrations and can be purchased as an over-the-counter item by anyone in the United States who is over the age of 21. Speed is a controlled substance and only available with a prescription, though it also sees a large amount of sale as an illicit non-prescription drug in black markets. Amphetamines are listed as a Schedule II substance in the Controlled Substances Act. This means that they are proven to create a high potential for drug abuse with severe physical and psychological dependencies in abusers.
What are the Effects of Combining These Drugs?
“The euphoric highs of speed may be amplified by the presence of alcohol in the system.”-Projectknow.com
Those addicted to speed and alcohol tend to feel the sensation of swinging between high and low emotional states. Amphetamines dramatically increase overall energy in most users, and alcohol can limit inhibitions. Both act as powerful pain blockers that can prevent an addict from feeling damage inflicted upon their persons until after the medications wear off. This is a dangerous situation as an addict may not realize they have sustained grievous injury until they are already weak from blood loss. The euphoric highs of speed may be amplified by the presence of alcohol in the system, boosting psychological effects including aggression and paranoia.
Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Speed
Combining these two substances also increases the adverse effects of each. The combination or mixture of the two drugs can increase likelihood of rarer and more severe adverse effects including:
- Convulsions
- Seizure
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Coma
- Unconsciousness
The lack of inhibitions experienced by alcohol users and confusion created by high blood alcohol content can create feelings of invulnerability, delusions, and dramatically impaired judgment in persons addicted to speed and alcohol.
Available Treatment Options
Treatment for this combination addiction typically involves a period of detoxification ranging from days, if the addict has only abused the drugs occasionally, to weeks or months for those suffering from chronic abuse of the substances.
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Factoid:
Speed was commonly used in many transport industries as a stimulant before government officials required testing of drivers in all DOT-regulated industries.
Long-term effects of alcohol abuse include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Blood disease
- Dementia
- Tremors
- Liver disease
Factoid:
- Amphetamines were originally classified as a Schedule III controlled substance but were later upgraded to Schedule II in 1971.
- The use of speed during strenuous activity can be dangerous and trigger life-threatening adverse effects in those addicted to speed and alcohol.