Alcohol Interactions with Psychostimulants: An Overview of Animal and Human Studies

Abstract

Alcohol consumption with psychostimulants is very common among drug addicts. There is little known about the possible pharmacological interactions between alcohol and psychostimulants. Among most commonly co-abused psychostimulants with alcohol are methamphetamine, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetaminen, and nicotine. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants can lead to several neurophysiological dysfunctions such as decrease in brain antioxidant enzymes, disruption of learning and memory processes, cerebral hypo-perfusion, neurotransmitters depletion as well as potentiation of drug seeking behaviour. Moreover, co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants can lead to increase in heart rate, blood pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption and cellular stress, and the risk of developing different types of cancer. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants during pregnancy can lead to fetal brain abnormalities. Further studies are needed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and neurochemical changes on co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants.

Trends and correlates of cocaine use and cocaine use disorder in the United States from 2011 to 2015

“…The increase in cocaine use among persons reporting past-year alcohol use appeared to be related to those with heavy alcohol use. Cocaine users who also use tobacco or alcohol represent a higher risk group of individuals than those who do not (Althobaiti and Sari, 2016; Roll et al, 1996; Weinberger and Sofuoglu, 2009), which suggests the importance of targeted screening for CUD among substance users.…”

Effects of Clavulanic Acid Treatment on Reinstatement to Methamphetamine, Glial Glutamate Transporters, and mGluR 2/3 Expression in P Rats Exposed to Ethanol

“…This might indicate that the high prevalence of METH and ethanol co-abuse found in clinical studies may involve some degree of compensation or self-medication [For review see ref. (Althobaiti and Sari, 2016a)].…”

“…Methamphetamine (METH) users frequently use ethanol (Bujarski et al, 2014; Furr et al, 2000), which may result in several deteriorating effects [For review see ref. (Althobaiti and Sari, 2016b)]. Despite the evidence of the high rate of the co-abuse of METH and ethanol, little is known about the effects of co-exposure of these drugs or METH on ethanol drinking in rodent models.…”

Combining Alcohol with Benzodiazepines or Psychostimulants. Metaphoric Meanings and the Concept of Control in the Online Talk of Polydrug Use

“…The physical and behavioral effects of alcohol and psychostimulants (e.g. amphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine) are associated with increased heart rate, increased alertness and prolonged sensation of euphoria (Althobaiti & Sari 2016). While obscuring the sedative effects of alcohol, psychostimulants may lead to excessive alcohol consumption and intoxication (Althobaiti & Sari 2016), which facilitates the impairment of judgment and decision making (e.g.…”

“…Alcohol enhances the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, and the combination is associated with life-threatening consequences such as coma or death induced by respiratory depression (Schmitz 2016;White 2003). In contrast, the stimulatory effects of psychostimulants may mask the depressive effects of alcohol leading to tendencies to use greater amounts of alcohol (Althobaiti & Sari 2016). Alcohol also enhances the psychostimulant-induced increased locomotor activity and heart rate leading to the risk of arrhythmia and poisonings (Hamida et al 2008;Manley and Little 1997).…”