Suboxone is often used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. The medication contains buprenorphine, a narcotic that partially activates the opioid receptors in the brain. Naloxone, the other active ingredient in Suboxone, binds to the opioid receptors so that other narcotics can’t.

You might wonder why you would treat opioid use disorder with another narcotic. By deceiving the brain into thinking that it’s still getting narcotics but blocking the high, Suboxone reduces withdrawal symptoms so that you can focus on other aspects of healing. You can taper off of Suboxone slowly as you develop strategies for advancing your recovery.

Although Suboxone has life-saving benefits, the drug can produce side effects. Taking the right dose under the supervision of a healthcare professional can minimize some of the following Suboxone side effects.

Flu-Like Symptoms

Some people feel sick after taking Suboxone. They may experience side effects such as:
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Sweating
• Chills

Because it contains an opioid, Suboxone can cause digestive distress and flu-like symptoms. That’s because your gut has a dense concentration of opioid receptors.

The medication acts on the stomach and intestines as much as it does the brain. It delays gastric emptying, which can cause heartburn and abdominal cramping. Suboxone can change your stool consistency and habits, making it harder for you to empty your bowels and interfering with nutrient absorption.

If you are detoxing from opioids, however, you might be used to these side effects. You’re also likely to experience some flu-like symptoms as a result of opioid withdrawal.

Even though Suboxone minimizes withdrawal symptoms, it can’t be used immediately. You’ll experience the initial stages of detox while the other opioids are leaving your system. Taking Suboxone usually makes these withdrawal symptoms subside, however.

Constipation

Suboxone and other opioids can make it difficult for you to have a bowel movement because they alter the absorption of fluids in the colon. Staying hydrated can minimize this side effect. While laxatives can help, you don’t want to become dependent on laxatives. In recovery, you can work toward nourishing your body adequately to minimize constipation and restore a healthy digestive system.

Severe Headache

One of the most frequently reported Suboxone side effects, headache is attributed to the presence of naloxone in the drug. It usually subsides with continued use of the medication.

You can relieve headaches with over-the-counter medications. It’s also essential to take care of yourself in other ways. Get enough rest, manage your caffeine and nicotine intake and drink plenty of water.

Psychological and Behavioral Side Effects

Any medication that affects your brain chemistry can cause psychological side effects. In addition to mood swings, patients report the following mental and behavioral Suboxone side effects:
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Fear
• Depression
• Irritability
• Lethargy and lack of motivation

Long-Term Suboxone Side Effects

Many Suboxone side effects go away over time. However, using the drug for a prolonged period can cause liver damage and hormonal imbalances.

Opioids are known to affect hormone levels with short-term and long-term use. Patients who take this medication may experience endocrine dysfunction, such as adrenal fatigue, hypogonadism, lower testosterone and reduced sexual function.

It’s not clear whether the sexual side effects, such as low libido and reduced pleasure, are due to hormonal imbalances. Opioids can make it more difficult to climax, and they interfere with your body’s reward system. Talking to your healthcare provider about sexual side effects can help you maintain intimacy and enhance your sexual health in recovery.

Suboxone can also be hard on the liver. This side effect is usually temporary. But you are at an increased risk of liver damage if you abuse Suboxone, take it in high, frequent doses or have an underlying liver condition.

Risk of Suboxone Abuse

One of the most significant long-term Suboxone side effects is the increased risk of dependence and abuse. Although the drug is safer than many other opioids, it works by replacing some of your body’s natural mood-enhancing chemicals. If you feel relaxed and at ease when you take Suboxone, you may have a hard time letting go of it.

Still, Suboxone exhibits a ceiling effect, which means that it limits your response to the medication if you take too much of it. This minimizes the risk of addiction.

You can further reduce the risk of dependence and addiction to Suboxone by taking it under the guidance of a licensed physician. The goal is to reduce the dosage gradually so that you reduce your dependence on the drug as you strengthen your coping skills and other healthy behaviors.

Are There Alternatives to Suboxone?

Methadone is a commonly used alternative to Suboxone in medically-assisted addiction treatment. It acts on opioid receptors, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, methadone has a stronger action than Suboxone.

It’s also more addictive. With methadone, you don’t get the ceiling effect. Therefore, people have a higher risk of overdosing on methadone than on Suboxone.

Is Suboxone Treatment Right for You?

It’s important to take the right dose if you’re using Suboxone to support your recovery. You’ll work closely with a healthcare professional to monitor and manage your side effects. Combining Suboxone with other medications, especially benzodiazepines, is especially dangerous. Therefore it’s essential for your doctor to know what other medications you’re taking.

Suboxone treatment is approved for treating opioid use disorder, and its benefits often outweigh the risks. It reduces cravings and helps you get through withdrawal so that you can move forward with the positive aspects of recovery. Contact us if you have questions about Suboxone and medication-assisted therapy to help you break the cycle of addiction.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-10-29
Updated on: 2024-10-08

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, new addiction treatment techniques provide a lot of hope. The latest line of medication-assisted treatments can block opioid cravings and make it far easier to get sober. Suboxone is one of the most popular treatments for substance use disorders. Once you take it, how long do the helpful effects last? Read our guide to find out.

How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Since Suboxone affects the body in so many complex ways, it’s impossible to predict exactly how long any given patient will feel the effects. The buprenorphine in the drug usually lasts at least 24 hours. You should not feel any severe opioid cravings or experience any withdrawal symptoms during this time. In some patients, buprenorphine can last even longer. Suboxone may keep them from feeling withdrawn for up to 60 hours.

Meanwhile, the naloxone in Suboxone gets metabolized a little quicker. This substance will usually only directly block opioids for an hour or two. On average, it blocks opioid receptors for 30 to 120 minutes. This means that if you do make the mistake of injecting Suboxone, you cannot feel the effects of another dose for up to two hours.

Why is there no simple answer to “How long does Suboxone last?” There is a lot of variation in how long a dose affects you because every patient metabolizes drugs differently. The length of time you’ll feel Suboxone varies based on your:

• Weight
• Dosage
• Method of ingestion
• Personal health
• Individual metabolism

Suboxone Effects

Aspect	Duration
Onset of Action	20-60 minutes
Peak Effect	1-2 hours
Duration of Effects	24-60 hours
Half-Life	Buprenorphine: 24-42 hours. Naloxone: 2-12 hours
Detection in Urine	Up to 11 days

How Does Suboxone Work?

To understand how long Suboxone lasts, you need to understand the answer to “What is Suboxone? Suboxone is the brand name for a medication that treats opioid use disorder. It combines buprenorphine and naloxone.

These two substances combine to reduce the desire and incentive to take opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. Buprenorphine is a long-acting, partial opioid agonist. This means that it lightly activates the body’s opioid receptors at a much weaker level than traditional opioids. The buprenorphine helps to block cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms, yet it doesn’t impair your ability to function or cause a euphoric high.

In addition to reducing the desire to take other drugs, Suboxone also contains substances to prevent Suboxone misuse. The naloxone in the drug blocks all opioid effects if patients inject the drug into their bodies. This immediately halts any helpful impact from buprenorphine and puts you straight into opioid withdrawal. Due to the naloxone, it is almost impossible to misuse Suboxone in a way that would trigger drug-seeking behaviors again.

Understanding the Suboxone Timeline

Once the Suboxone is in your system, it goes through several distinct stages before the effects wear off. The precise timeline varies a little depending on which form of Suboxone you take and how your body reacts to it. Usually, it can take somewhere between 20 minutes to 60 minutes for the drug to start working. Therefore, doctors sometimes suggest people take it a little before feeling intense opioid cravings.

After it spreads through your system, Suboxone will peak around 1.5 hours to 3 hours later. Since Suboxone is only a partial opioid agonist, it won’t cause any intense intoxication. Even when it is at its strongest, you won’t feel much more than mild pleasantness.

Since buprenorphine has such a long half-life, its effects wear off very slowly. Instead of a sharp peak followed by a sudden crash, it will just gradually leave the system. Most people will not feel their Suboxone wear off. The only signs it has reached the end of its lifespan will be if you start to feel cravings, cramps, or other withdrawal symptoms.

Should You Try Suboxone?

If all the effects of Suboxone sound helpful to you, it might be worth talking to your healthcare providers. Suboxone is a prescription medication that only works in certain situations. Before you can take it, your doctor must ensure its effects won’t harm your health. They’ll also spend a lot of time learning about your situation so they can be sure the Suboxone timeline addresses your needs. Some patients may need a shorter-acting or longer-acting drug if the 24-hour effect of Suboxone doesn’t work for them.

Typically, Suboxone is prescribed if you have an opioid use disorder and struggle with cravings and withdrawal. You cannot take it while still using opioids to avoid unpleasant side effects. It only starts working well if you take it at least 12 hours after last using opioids. This medication can occasionally cause reduced breathing and an irregular heartbeat, so it might not be recommended if you have chronic heart or breathing problems. Though rare, some patients try Suboxone and find that they do not like the effects. If it disagrees with your system, you have other options, like trying plain buprenorphine, naltrexone, or methadone.

How Effective Is Suboxone and How Long Should You Take It For?

Suboxone is considered to be one of the most effective medications for opioid use disorders. It prevents withdrawal and cravings, does not have intoxicating effects, and is significantly harder to overuse. Studies have found that Suboxone makes it much easier for patients to avoid using hard drugs.

A 2003 study followed patients for over a year and found that 75% of Suboxone users stayed clean while 100% of unmedicated control subjects relapsed. Another 18-month long study from 2009 discovered that Suboxone patients were more likely to be employed, sober, and participating in 12-step programs. Researchers find that Suboxone use doesn’t completely guarantee sobriety, but it always reduces addiction and death risks while increasing quality of life and overall health.

Just about any amount of Suboxone use can be helpful. However, research shows that longer periods of use are more effective. Those who tried the medication for 12 weeks did better than those who only used it to detox, and those who were on it for year-long periods had even better outcomes. How long should your Suboxone treatment last? Every patient is different, but most benefit from at least six months.

What Dosing Schedule Should You Follow for Opiate Drug Withdrawal?

Suboxone’s effects make it very helpful for managing withdrawal. Opiate drug withdrawal happens when you use opioids for so long that your body becomes accustomed to them. If you stop suddenly, your system can no longer function normally. This usually results in intense withdrawal symptoms like pain, anxiety, insomnia, yawning, diarrhea, and vomiting.

To avoid these issues, you must carefully time your dose to get the full range of Suboxone effects. Your doctor will recommend a dosing schedule that addresses your unique needs. Usually, it starts with an induction stage to gradually build up a safe level of Suboxone in your system. The standard recommendation is to take 2 milligrams every two hours on the first day. Patients then typically switch to a single, higher dosage of around 16 milligrams once daily for a few weeks, taking it more frequently.

Not all people use Suboxone as a long-term drug. Some just use it for a few weeks while they detox and get used to sobriety. However, some people find it more helpful to continue taking Suboxone for months or even years. This is called maintenance therapy, which focuses on allowing you to live a normal life without significant opioid cravings. For long-term users, doses can range from 4 milligrams to 24 milligrams of Suboxone per day. Doctors recommend that patients take the minimum amount needed to manage cravings.

Enjoy a Life Without Drugs

Are you tired of your life revolving around staving off withdrawal? There is hope for those who want to reclaim their life. We provide compassionate, effective substance abuse treatment options at Garden State Treatment Center with our medical professionals. Our substance abuse treatment programs can help you get on the path to sobriety and mental health against opiate addiction or the effects of opioids and suboxone dose (high dosage) and other forms of drug abuse.

We offer a broad range of programs, including intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment plans, and partial care treatment. Each of our patients gets a tailored blend of therapy and medical care. At your consultation, we’ll learn about your situation and help you determine what medication and other therapy you need. The main goal is to give your body time to heal while we work on the underlying triggers for your addiction.

Ready to get started on your sobriety journey? The right care can help you feel healthy, happy, and centered again. Contact our team today to learn more about our services.

Resources

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417/
• https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-naloxone-block-opiates-3543375/
• https://www.Suboxone.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-09-12
Updated on: 2024-11-09

Believing in God means believing in forgiveness and redemption. For people who struggle with addiction, the recovery journey is similar. It is a fresh start, and as many people go through treatment and recovery, they seek redemption. They work hard to improve their lives. Having faith in God helps people realize they have an ultimate goal to work toward both on their recovery journey and in other aspects of life. It gives them the hope of an eternal reward for all their struggles.

For example, the Orthodox Christian church, which views church as a hospital for the soul, teaches that even the most difficult struggles in life can give people opportunities to strengthen their faith and draw closer to God.[1] Viewing struggles as opportunities for rewards can help change a person’s perspective on the difficulties they face throughout recovery. People who are Christians or are interested in learning about faith-based recovery programs can benefit from learning about how to overcome addiction with God. Treatment facilities respect everyone’s religious beliefs and encourage them to treat mind, body and spirit during recovery.

Why Faith in God Helps Many People Recover From Addiction

Faith in a higher power may help people overcome addiction because of the positive benefits it produces. One of the common feelings people have with addiction is guilt. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can have lasting effects on the brain.[2] Substances alter the way the brain functions, and the altered functions also lead to behavioral changes.[3] People who struggle with addiction do not behave in ways they normally would. They may lie, steal or do other things that hurt family and friends, and those actions make them feel guilty later when they start addiction treatment.

Many people also say that they feel like something is missing in life. Others learn that they seek substances because they feel empty or are trying to heal from past trauma. Research shows that having religious beliefs may help some people heal from past trauma and may help treat depression for some.[4] Part of having faith in God is believing that every person’s life has a purpose. When people believe that, it may help them fill the emptiness they feel from other negative experiences in life.

People who learn how to overcome addiction with God also find faith rewarding. The Christian faith promotes helping others, which can be great for people with addiction. When individuals struggle with addiction, their brains create cravings for substances because of the pleasurable feelings they cause. Studies show that helping others can create similar rewarding feelings for the brain.[5] In this way, helping others can replace a negative habit with a positive one.

Those are just a few reasons why having faith God may help people overcome addiction. It is also important to understand how to overcome addiction with God through regular treatment and spiritual health changes.

Why Professional Addiction Treatment Is Also Important

Faith alone is not meant to replace addiction treatment. Even many pastors, priests and other leaders recommend professional therapy along with trying to build or rebuild a relationship with God. These are some key reasons why professional addiction treatment is also important:

• People work with therapists to learn the causes of their behaviors or choices.
• Therapists teach people ways to change behaviors, avoid triggers and cope with troubling or unavoidable situations.
• People undergo treatments that can help them face past traumas to heal from them.
• There are supporting therapies that help people improve mind, body and spirit.
• Individuals with unmet mental health needs discover them, and those mental health issues are often major factors that lead to addiction.

When people discover that they have a co-occurring mental health disorder, they can find a treatment plan that works. Treating mental health issues and addiction together is critical to reduce the risk of relapsing.[6]

How To Overcome Addiction With God

Addiction often has a detrimental effect on personal relationships, work, school and more. Having a source of hope through faith can help people find the daily ambition to keep moving forward. Connecting with God spiritually for the first time or reconnecting can be both helpful and meaningful to people who are starting their recovery journey. These are some examples of how to overcome addiction with God.

Find Christian Community Support

One of the first things people learn in professional addiction treatment is how important it is to have support. Having a support network is so important that clinicians often recommend inpatient treatment if people do not have a supportive living environment.[7] For Christians, it is important to find a supportive church, a church group or a Christian sobriety group. For example, there are Celebrate Recovery groups in several areas throughout New Jersey. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program with a Christian foundation.[8]

Pray

As all Christians know, it can be hard to pray sometimes. Many Christians or people who are considering Christianity feel ashamed of past actions. Praying can also seem hard when life is filled with other responsibilities and concerns. However, prayer can be a powerful tool in building self-discipline. Practicing self-discipline to abstain from substance cravings is one strategy that people learn in addiction treatment. For Christians, praying is often the first response to any trouble. It can be a helpful way for many to deal with troublesome situations that may trigger them.

However, it may sometimes seem difficult to know what to pray about or how to put thoughts into words. One of the oldest and simplest prayers is just a request for the Lord’s mercy. It is not mercy in the form of pity as people know it in the modern English language. The original Greek translation also means kindness, good will for people who are afflicted and a true desire to help.[9] Addiction is an affliction, and many Christians find it helpful to pray for God’s mercy since God knows even the needs they cannot communicate.

Practice Biblical Principles

Galatians 5:22-23 in the Bible talks about the fruits of the spirit. They are:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

These spiritual fruits help people build virtues and good character. Also, this list aligns with what people learn in addiction treatment. For example, practicing patience can be helpful in overcoming addiction if anger is a response that a person often has to situations. Through addiction treatment and a faith-based approach, a person can learn healthier responses to situations. Biblical principles and strategies for overcoming addiction align so well that more than 70% of addiction treatment programs in the United States include one or more faith-based approaches.[10]

Seek Encouragement

Because peers or family can be sources of valuable encouragement, this point emphasizes the importance of community support. Also, Christians can seek encouragement from the Bible. Encouragement is helpful to deal with daily struggles of triggering difficulties and substance cravings. Psalms is especially a great book in the Bible for encouragement. There are also free devotional materials online from different denominations or even pre-denominational churches. Celebrate Recovery or other 12-step meetings can also be great sources of encouragement to continue in recovery and grow spiritually.

Focus on Forgiveness

One of the commandments that appears often in the Bible directly and in stories is forgiveness. It is so important that Jesus said for anyone who does not forgive others, that person’s sins will not be forgiven. Holding onto anger, resentment and other negative feelings will mostly hurt the person holding them. In traditional addiction therapy, people learn how to let go of negative feelings for their own healing. In the 12 steps, people ask for forgiveness from those they wronged. Asking for forgiveness and being quick to forgive others helps build humility, which is one of the most powerful virtues.

Christians in addiction recovery can also appreciate the story of the Prodigal Son. Remembering that God is quick and willing to forgive anything like the father in that story is an encouraging reminder that redemption is always available. That helps people get back up quickly when they fail. Getting back up, repenting and moving forward is a practice that is also helpful to have in the event of a relapse.

Learn More About How To Overcome Addiction With God and Professional Treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs spiritual help, there are options. Garden State Treatment Center in Sparta can help connect you with the right addiction treatment program. Also, we can help you find spiritual resources and learn how to overcome addiction with God. We also respect all other religions and welcome people from all backgrounds to learn more about our New Jersey addiction treatment programs.

FAQ

References

[1] https://www.schwebster.org/about-orthodoxy/the-church-as-a-hospital
[2] https://www.verywellmind.com/addiction-is-a-chronic-brain-disease-67874
[3] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426191/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780662/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1362227/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64815/
[8] https://www.celebraterecovery.com/resources/cr-tools/12steps
[9] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/eleos.html
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6759672/

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Published on: 2022-05-18
Updated on: 2024-10-08

For those not familiar with Adderall, it is a combination drug comprising amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. For years, Adderall has been considered a go-to drug for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, and this is for a good reason.

The amphetamine and dextroamphetamine in Adderall act as central nervous system stimulants, which means they affect chemicals in the nerves and brain responsible for regulating hyperactivity and impulse control. Because of its effects on the central nervous system (CNS), Adderall also combats narcolepsy. In short, this means it keeps people awake when they would otherwise be sleeping. Because Adderall promotes wakefulness in this way, it is exceedingly popular among college students. Available data shows that more than 14 percent of college men and a little over 8 percent of college women misuse or outright abuse the drug, often to stay awake while studying for an exam. Many have even admitted to pairing Adderall with caffeine to intensify its effects. Although combining Adderall with caffeine does make it easier to pull an all-night study session and maybe even ace a few exams, doing so comes at a hefty cost.

Adderall and Caffeine: The Downside of Being Overstimulated

There is such a thing as having too much of a good thing, and it certainly applies to combining Adderall and caffeine. When taken as prescribed and consumed responsibly, they both offer incredible benefits. However, pairing the two or misusing them by themselves can have consequences. Misusing Adderall alone can increase the risk of encountering numerous physical and mental health problems, notes a combined study from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Collectively, these organizations agree that the misuse and abuse of Adderall can alter the brain to the extent that it triggers cravings, drug-seeking behaviors, and, more often than not, addiction. But it doesn’t end there; the following can also stem from misusing and abusing Adderall:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Circulation issues
• Arrhythmia
• Psychosis
• Anxiety and depression
• Unintended weight loss

When individuals combine Adderall with caffeine, they are at even greater risk of experiencing these issues. They may even encounter a few additional ones as a result of being hopped up on caffeine, some of which include the following:

• Restlessness and shakiness
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• A rapid heartbeat
• Dehydration
• Digestive Issues
• Muscle breakdown
• High blood pressure
• A frequent need to urinate

How the Human Body Responds to the Combination of Adderall and Caffeine

Having established that there are dangers associated with combining Adderall and caffeine, let’s take a moment to learn about what happens in the human body when someone overindulges on these two powerful stimulants. Both Adderall and caffeine are powerful stimulants that affect dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which means they overtax the CNS when taken together. One of the things that have come out as a result of studies done on the effects of Adderall and caffeine is how caffeine reduces the efficacy of Adderall. Studies show that when individuals consume coffee, tea, soda, or even caffeine pills, it makes Adderall less effective and increases their chances of experiencing plenty of unpleasant side effects. And this was said to be true even if they consumed caffeine within just a few hours of taking Adderall. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned doctors and individuals alike about the dangers of combining Adderall with caffeine, citing that the combination can cause anxiety, nervousness, trouble sleeping, and more.

A Closer Look at How Combining Adderall and Caffeine Affects Both the Brain and Body

To fully appreciate how combining Adderall and caffeine, in any form, can trigger an onslaught of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms, we should probably take a close look at how these stimulants, when taken together, affect the brain and body. When someone has Adderall and caffeine in their system, their heart rate and blood pressure will increase considerably. Initially, these two events will trigger chest pain and feelings of anxiety, which speaks to the combined effects of Adderall and caffeine on the brain and the body.

As the body works to combat chest pain and feelings of anxiety, more side effects start to emerge. When the brain signals the nervous system and major organs in the body to work harder to counter the effects of chest pain and anxiety, it sends fewer signals to itself. And those are signals that the brain sends to itself are critical to homeostasis; as such, the chest pain and feelings of anxiety that most people experience due to having Adderall and caffeine in their system is usually in addition to the following:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased anxiety
• Extreme fatigue
• Difficulty thinking

Even if someone is lucky enough to avoid all of the side effects commonly associated with Adderall, there is still the risk of addiction.

How Caffeine Increases the Risk of Adderall Addiction

Studies show that Adderall is as addictive as crystal meth. That said, pairing it with caffeine only leads to a higher tolerance. When individuals develop a higher tolerance, they often resort to taking a higher dose of the powerful stimulant. The more they do this, the more likely addiction becomes, say many addiction experts in rehab facilities all across America. They further say this because of the increase in production of norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain when someone takes Adderall, especially when they combine it with caffeine. To better make sense of all of this, we should probably take a moment to familiarize ourselves with these two neurotransmitters. In the brain, norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter responsible for promoting arousal, alertness, and vigilance, all of which help combat narcolepsy and feelings of fatigue. Dopamine, meanwhile, is a neurotransmitter responsible for, among other things, pleasurable sensations.

Common Signs of Adderall Addiction

When most people develop an Adderall addiction, they will often engage in new or strange behaviors. Some of these new or strange behaviors might include the following:

• Needing to keep upping their dose
• Wanting to quit stimulants but being unable to do so
• Not being able to get through the day without taking stimulants
• Becoming preoccupied with finding, buying, and taking stimulants
• Being unable to feel alert without stimulants
• Neglecting work or home obligations
• Becoming depressed, irritable, or struggling with other withdrawal symptoms typical of abrupt cessation of stimulants

Something to note when it comes to stimulant addiction is that it happens unintentionally in most cases. Even people who take Adderall or combine Adderall with caffeine do so for legitimate reasons, such as combating ADHD, staying awake to study for an exam, or being more productive at work. Over time, unfortunately, the constant desire or physical need to overindulge on stimulants culminates in addiction.

Bottom Line

In summary, combining Adderall and any form of caffeine is a bad idea. After all, numerous side effects can result from doing so, not to mention an increased risk of addiction. If that is not enough to deter you, you should know that it is entirely possible to overdose and die from going overboard with Adderall. According to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), between 1994 and 2020, over 6100 reports of adverse events have been attributed to abusing Adderall and Adderall XR. Of those 6100 or so cases, over 200 resulted in death. Bearing that in mind, along with everything else discussed in this article, if you suspect that you have a problem with Adderall or any other stimulant, consider seeking help today.

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Published on: 2022-03-30
Updated on: 2024-11-09

Although millions of Americans struggle with alcoholism, only about 10% receive the treatment they need.[1] Friends, family members, and colleagues may be the first ones to notice signs of alcoholism in a person. If you are wondering how to identify an alcoholic, it helps to understand what alcoholism is, the different types of alcoholics, and their common characteristics. Recognizing the characteristics of an alcoholic is an important step toward developing a strategy to help someone.

What Is an Alcoholic?

An alcoholic is a person who has alcohol use disorder, which is also called alcoholism.[2] Alcoholism occurs when a person cannot control their ability to stop drinking. They become dependent on alcohol and may develop an addiction. Addiction happens when a person is unable to stop drinking even though the person recognizes and understands the negative effects of alcohol.

Types of Alcoholics

For anyone who knows an alcoholic or is trying to identify one, it also helps to understand the five subtypes.[3] Not all people who struggle with alcoholism are the same. Their misuse may have started at different times or for different reasons. Also, their actions can differ. These are the basics to understand the five subtypes:

1. The young adult subtype comprises about 31% of alcoholism cases, and people in this group usually start drinking in their teens and are dependent on alcohol as young adults.
2. The functional subtype, which accounts for about 20% of alcoholism cases, includes people who are able to maintain normal professional and personal lives for a while.
3. The young antisocial subtype makes up about 21% of cases and includes antisocial people who start drinking in their teens and often have co-occurring mental health disorders.
4. The intermediate familial subtype, which accounts for nearly 19% of cases, includes people who are more likely to have alcoholic family members, multiple addictions, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
5. The chronic severe subtype includes about 9% of alcoholics, and they heavily drink more frequently than others, are more likely to have substantial difficulties in life, and commonly have co-occurring mental health issues.

Subtypes can help provide clues about substance misuse that may be harder to detect. For example, a common sign of alcoholism is a poorer performance at work. However, a high-functioning alcoholic may still perform well at work for several years. At some point, the person’s life may start to fall apart due to health problems, loss of a relationship, or something else.[4] It helps to combine knowledge of subtypes and characteristics to better understand an alcoholic.

Common Characteristics of an Alcoholic

If you are wondering how to potentially identify alcoholism in a loved one, there are several characteristics you may observe. Since alcohol addiction causes changes in the brain, people often share some of the same characteristics that result from those. These are some of the most common behavioral examples.

Blaming Others

This is a common behavior among people with any type of addiction. An alcoholic may blame the effects of alcohol use or the alcohol misuse itself on someone else. For instance, a person may blame stress from a boss at work or a spouse for their urge to drink. If the person loses a job, gains weight or experiences something else negative as a result of alcohol misuse, the individual may instead blame those effects on another person or event. You may also notice that an alcoholic tries to rationalize behaviors.

Focused on Alcohol

With any subtype of alcoholic, it is common to notice a fixation on alcohol use. For example, the person may carefully plan activities or social gatherings to make sure there will be alcohol. When there is no alcohol, the person may appear agitated or bored. An alcoholic will likely decline an invitation to your home if you do not drink or do not allow alcohol in your home. Also, if you suggest meeting at a place where there is no alcohol, such as a coffee shop, the person may quickly decline. This change is easier to notice if the individual used to attend events or meet friends at alcohol-free places.

Makes Excuses

Unless an alcoholic is in recovery, the person will continually place blame on other people or things. People who abuse alcohol do not want to place accountability on themselves for their drinking or their actions. For example, if someone you think may be an alcoholic says that a rough week is a reason for consuming five or six drinks, that is placing the blame on the week’s events. The person will make excuses to drink heavily by using that tactic. An alcoholic will also make excuses for missing work, canceling plans with friends, or anything else. Even though you may be sure alcohol consumption is the reason for the individual’s absence, the person will shift the blame to something else. It is common for alcoholics to lie about their plans or whereabouts.

Mood Swings

Because how alcohol alters the brain, it causes a person’s mood to change. Also, when someone who is dependent on alcohol needs more of it, the individual is more likely to be agitated and anxious. You may notice that the person lashes out at you, gets upset easily, and becomes angry when you talk about a possible drinking problem. Some may appear more cheerful when they are drinking, and some people tend to become angrier or more depressed. Watch for behavior shifts when a person is drinking and when the person is in a situation where there is no alcohol.

Deceptive or Manipulative Behavior

Alcoholics tend to deceive or manipulate people in order to feed their alcohol cravings. This may include manipulating or deceiving someone for more money to buy alcohol. An alcoholic may deceive or manipulate people to keep them from criticizing the individual’s behavior or trying to help. Since alcoholics believe they need the substance, anyone who tries to take it away or interfere may appear as a threat.

Impulsiveness or Recklessness

Most of the alcoholic subtypes discussed previously include people who start drinking at a young age. Research shows that adolescents and young adults tend to have significant impairment in judgment and increased impulsivity with heavy drinking.[5] One dangerous change occurs in the area of the brain that is responsible for higher reasoning, which is why alcoholics often make self-destructive decisions. If you spend much time around an alcoholic, you may notice that the person’s drinking and reckless behavior become uncontrollable.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Some people who struggle with alcoholism do not spend much time around others, which can present challenges in studying their characteristics. If you are unable to be around a person you suspect has an alcohol use disorder, you may notice some signs of a problem. Although high-functioning alcoholics may not display all these signs, these are some potential changes to watch for:

• Acting unusually secretive and maybe guarding a drawer or other place where alcohol is kept.
• Experiencing new and unusual financial or legal difficulties.
• Withdrawing from social obligations.
• Inability to maintain obligations to family.
• Performing poorer in sports, at school, or at work.
• Lack of interest in physical appearance and poorer hygiene.

How To Help an Alcoholic

If you notice any of the previous signs or characteristics of an alcoholic in a loved one, trying to help can be a challenge. The person may mistake your attempts to help as personal attacks. Every situation is different, which is why it is important to enlist the help of professionals whenever you consider developing a strategy to help someone. Rehab facilities can often refer concerned family members, friends, or colleagues to professional interventionists. They assist in helping a loved one realize the effects of alcoholism on those around them.

Convincing someone to get help often takes the collaborative effort of more than one person. If you notice characteristics of an alcoholic in someone and have questions about treatment options, we are here for you. Please contact us to learn more about how you can help. Also, if you struggle with alcohol misuse and need help for yourself, we can discuss treatment options with you.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4872610/
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163
[3] https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-health-education-and-promotion/resource/five-types-of-alcoholics
[4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/200901/characteristics-high-functioning-alcoholics
[5] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116181945.htm

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Published on: 2022-03-30
Updated on: 2024-10-08