You and your partner have been together for just over a year now. You met at City Side in Tampa for one of their drag shows and immediately hit it off. Everything was great in the beginning – you both would meet up after work, have a drink, and talk about your days, then take turns at which place you stayed at.
Over the last few months, your partner has been having a difficult time with depression. It seemed to come out of nowhere, he is usually a happy-go-lucky type. There would be moments where he would seem happy, almost overly, and sometimes he would get a little paranoid. But other days he couldn’t get out of bed, barely making it through the day. You noticed he was drinking more, but when you went to get something out of his nightstand, you found a small bag of white powder with a broken light bulb. The light bulb was burnt and there was a lighter lying next to it. What was this, was he smoking something? Was this the source of his depression?
In 2021, Pinellas County experienced between 20 and 25 deaths from methamphetamines per 100,000 residents. In 2020, methamphetamines and alcohol were the 3rd and 4th highest causes of death among substances in Florida. At Tranquil Shores, we understand that different professionals will need specific treatment options. We have programs that cater to musicians, artists, executives, athletes, and more. We are also inclusive of all and accept men, women, and anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. Our blog serves as an educational resource for families to better understand substance use. Today, we are comparing meth and alcohol, and what happens when you mix the two.
How Meth Affects the Body and Mind
Methamphetamines – better known as meth – is an illicit substance that is man-made. It is a stimulant, meaning it causes increases in energy and euphoria. Meth side effects on the body and mind include:
- Anxiety
- Rapid breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Paranoia
- Increased focus and attention
Over time, these effects intensify with use. Paranoia can become extreme, and delusions and hallucinations can occur. Skin sores are common from feeling like bugs are crawling under the skin. Meth is typically used in patterns of binging and crashing, resulting in the person being awake for days at a time followed by intense tiredness. This cycle often results in poor hygiene including tooth decay.
How Alcohol Affects the Body and Mind
Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows the body and mind. When it enters the bloodstream, alcohol affects the brain directly. Reduced inhibitions, cognitive deficits, and difficulty remembering can affect the person mentally and even result in physical injury. Alcohol also reduces coordination, leading to falls. Over time, prolonged alcohol use can cause liver disease, heart damage, and permanent problems with memory.
Signs of Meth Use and Alcohol Use
Signs of meth and alcohol use will vary as they are two different substances. Signs of meth use involve how the substance is taken. Needles, syringes, broken light bulbs, lighters, and foil can be indicators of meth use as these are paraphernalia. The person may have changes in their appearance and seem less put together. Increased distrust in others is a common sign of meth use.
Alcohol use may be easier to see since it is a legal substance. Bottles or cans of beer, wine, or liquor are a sign of alcohol consumption. However, seeing empty containers does not automatically signal use at that moment. Combined with signs of intoxication – slurring words, acting aggressively when the situation doesn’t warrant it, agreeing to things they wouldn’t normally – drinking took place then and there.
Mixing Meth and Alcohol: How Do They Interact?
The interaction between meth and alcohol goes further than the two being opposites. Alcohol and meth both affect the brain and body, but what does mixing them actually do? A study published in 2017 examined how alcohol, meth, and both substances affected the brains of rats. One group of rats only drank 10% alcohol every other day for 4 weeks, the next group drank 10% alcohol every other day for 4 weeks and received a 10mg binge dose of methamphetamines, and the last group received a 10mg binge dose of methamphetamines.
The group that only received meth showed significant depletion of dopamine and serotonin in areas of the brain a full week after the meth was administered. However, the group that drank alcohol and then received meth showed even more depletion of dopamine and serotonin as well as a decrease in transporters of both chemicals. In the group that only drank alcohol, there was no significant change in serotonin or dopamine levels.
The study indicates that meth and alcohol together hinder the production of the reward chemicals dopamine and serotonin. This contributes to increases in poor mental health including depression and anxiety. As the use of both substances continues, the brain will have a hard time producing the chemicals naturally and rely on meth and alcohol to feel rewarded.
Is Combining Meth and Alcohol Dangerous?
Meth and alcohol react oppositely to each other, one speeds the body up while the other slows it down. This is especially dangerous as the two substances essentially cancel each other out. The person will not feel any more intoxicated or high when taking both substances at the same time. This creates a dangerous combination as even though the person doesn’t necessarily feel the effects of either substance, the body is still trying to process the alcohol and meth.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning occurs when too much alcohol is consumed in a short amount of time. The liver is responsible for alcohol processing, and on average it takes the liver one hour to process one drink. Excess alcohol builds up in the body and is stored in fat while waiting to be processed. When drinking while taking meth, meth can make the person feel like they are not intoxicated when their body is. Breathing, heart rate, and temperature regulation begin to go haywire, resulting in losing consciousness. Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency, and help needs to be sought right away. Make sure to tell the medical team all substances taken, so they can treat them accordingly.
Other Risks and Consequences
Meth and alcohol affect the brain and can cause negative consequences. Alcohol interrupts the way we perceive situations. A minor instance of someone accidentally bumping into you can be taken as a challenge and induce the fight response of fight or flight. This can happen to anyone, even if they are not prone to violence. When you add meth to the mix, paranoia can increase the occurrence of misperceived situations. Meth can cause you to no longer recognize your friends or family, and paired with alcohol influencing the fight response, those close to you can end up getting hurt. This can lead to relationship strain, loss of family and friends, and possible legal repercussions.
Crystal Meth and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Near Tampa Bay, FL
Mixing crystal meth and alcohol is a recipe for long-term mental and physical consequences. However, there is hope and treatment for both. Whether you are looking for meth addiction treatment, alcohol rehab, or a place that can address polysubstance use, there are options for you to choose from. Through group and individual therapy, mental health counseling, and coping skill development, you will be able to take back your life from substances and begin to rebuild your future. Rediscovering yourself and your passions will be a beautiful process, and finding your recovery is only the beginning of your new life.
If you or someone you love is managing a meth use disorder, an alcohol use disorder, or a polysubstance use disorder, we are here to help. Tranquil Shores has a full-spectrum program of proven therapies and treatments for all forms of substance use disorder. Our compassionate team is able to provide dual-diagnosis treatment to focus on your mental health alongside your addiction treatment. Through our holistic approach, we will help you find the root causes of your addiction. Call us today at 727-391-7001 for the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
