Is Alcohol a Stimulant or Depressant?

Alcoholism Statistics

In 2019, of the 85,688 liver disease deaths among individuals ages 12 and older, 43.1 percent involved alcohol. Among males, 53,486 liver disease deaths occurred, and 45.6 percent involved alcohol. Among females, 32,202 liver disease deaths occurred, and 39.0 percent involved alcohol.

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What are Stimulants?

Stimulants vary from mild substances like caffeine to much more powerful prescription drugs like amphetamines and illicit drugs such as cocaine and meth. They are called stimulants because they are substances that boost the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Stimulants do this by triggering the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine has many functions within the brain, including boosting mood and motivation.

For instance, the brain may release dopamine when we eat or even see the food we crave. This can result in feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Unfortunately, dopamine can also increase heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure.

Although some level of dopamine in the brain is vital for our well-being, high levels of dopamine may cause aggression, anxiety, poor impulse control, and risk-taking behavior. While using stimulants may initially produce feelings of well-being, large amounts, and long-term use, which can generate high dopamine levels, can result in anxiety, insomnia, aggression, and paranoia.

Some stimulants may interact with dopamine in a way that their use becomes habit-forming or addicting. Consequently, while they may be involved in producing some positive feelings, stimulants can have a much more serious and often adverse effect on the central nervous system [2].

Common stimulant drugs include:

Why is Alcohol a Stimulant?

The most commonly reported stimulant effects of alcohol are:

Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Alcohol can reduce the quality of sleep a person gets, similar to what stimulant does. Even though drinking alcohol can make someone feel tired and sleepy, drinking before bed leads to fewer hours of restorative sleep, frequent bathroom trips, interrupted circadian rhythms, and breathing problems. Moreover, people who suffer from alcoholism often encounter the symptoms of insomnia.

While these effects can be seen in anyone drinking alcohol, they tend to show more strongly in men than women. However, the reverse is also true; women tend to experience the depressant effects of alcohol more than men.

Dangers of Stimulants and Depressants

Both depressants and stimulants are dangerous for different reasons, and alcohol produces both stimulant and sedating effects in humans.

Stimulants

Depressants

Mixing Stimulants and Depressants 

Combining both is dangerous. While some people mix uppers and downers, thinking it balances the negative effects of each, it actually increases the risks of both.

Dangers of Drinking Alcohol

Mixing Alcohol and Stimulants

Combining stimulant drugs and alcohol is never a good idea, whether it’s prescription or illegal stimulants. Alcohol functions as both central nervous system depressants and stimulants. While alcohol does have some stimulant effects, it’s scientifically classified as a depressant. A person will typically feel the stimulant effects at a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of under 0.05 mg/l. But once they go over 0.08mg/l, the depressant effects will take over.

Due to the effect, the side effects of both substances can be increased rather than canceling each other out. In addition, the use of alcohol can also enhance the concentration of drugs in the system of the person, which makes it more likely they will overdose. Specific risks of mixing alcohol and stimulants include:

Alcohol and ADHD Medications

When alcohol is combined with a stimulant such as amphetamine, it can cause the person to consume more alcohol than normal because the stimulant is masking the effects of intoxication. The result can be alcohol poisoning and drug overdose. Combining alcohol with ADHD medications can also make the individual more likely to experience heart problems, stroke, or seizures. Even the mild symptoms of mixing alcohol with prescription stimulants can include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Alcohol and Cocaine

Cocaine and alcohol are an all-too-common combination. Individuals may mix alcohol and cocaine to increase their high or to help them come down from the stimulant effects of cocaine. However, combining alcohol and cocaine makes the risk of sudden death twenty times greater than it is with the use of either substance alone. In addition, cocaine and alcohol used together can increase the chances of violent behavior, and it’s an unpredictable combination that can affect someone differently every time they use it.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), researchers have established that cocaethylene, the ethyl ester of benzoylecgonine, forms in the liver when using alcohol and cocaine together. The individual may experience more intense pleasure than if using either substance alone. Still, they will also be exposed to the combined toxicities of cocaine and the even more potent cocaethylene.

Alcohol and Meth

Methamphetamine or crystal meth may be one of the most dangerous stimulants and drugs there is. After fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, methamphetamine is the fourth deadliest drug in America. Alcohol is among the most used drugs, plays a large role in many societies and cultures around the world, and greatly impacts public health.

People who use both meth and alcohol simultaneously may drink more alcohol to feel more intoxicated or feel its usual effects. This leads to alcohol toxicity, but there are treatment options to help people overcome co-occurring alcohol and meth disorders.

Meth can cause dental decay damage called Meth mouth, extreme weight loss, skin damage, facial scarring (from picking the skin), heart failure, and psychosis. In addition, when someone combines multiple drugs, known as poly-drug use, they are increasing their odds of suffering fatal overdoses—especially when alcohol is involved.

Alcoholism Treatment

First and foremost, if you think a loved one is abusing alcohol, you should research the substances and their associated addiction to understand better what you loved one needs. Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved ones with options to battle the effects of alcohol addiction in a safe and supportive environment. During this intervention, offer compassion and support instead of judgment. Lastly, show your support throughout the entire treatment process.

In addition, prolonged drug use can have severe physical and psychological effects on you, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehab offers intensive care that can help you promptly get through the early stages of alcohol withdrawal. 

Alcohol Detox

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated alcohol withdrawal but doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior contributing to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete the alcohol detox.

Cravings are very common during alcohol detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can give medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

There isn’t one treatment approach or style that will suit everyone. Treatment should speak to the needs of the individual. Inpatient rehab and addiction treatment aren’t just about drug use. the goal is to help the patient stop using alcohol and other substances, but alcohol rehab should also focus on the whole person’s needs.

Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. When someone or their family is considering different treatment facilities, they should account for the complexity of addiction and the needs of the individual. The objective of attending an inpatient rehab center for addiction treatment is to stop using the drug and re-learn how to live a productive life without it.

Following a full medical detox, most people benefit from inpatient rehab. Inpatient drug rehab can last anywhere from 28 days to several months. Patients stay overnight in the rehab facility and participate in intensive treatment programs and therapy. Once someone completes rehab, their addiction treatment team will create an aftercare plan, which may include continuing therapy and participation in a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous.

Psychotherapy 

Many rehab programs will also have early morning classes or programs. Group sessions occur during inpatient rehab, as do individual therapy sessions. Family therapy may be part of inpatient rehab when it’s feasible. Alternative forms of therapy may be introduced during inpatient rehab, like a holistic therapy program, yoga for addiction recovery, or an addiction treatment massage therapy.

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Solution-focused therapy is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. This strategy treats both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend mainly on the treatment for both diseases done by the same team or provider.