A recent article published in the journal Nature examined the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among individuals using amphetamine, as well as their combined effects on health. This study was a cross-sectional study comparing hospital patients and control participants in Saudi Arabia, with a total of 100 participants. A series of kidney and liver function tests were used to assess the participants’ organ function.

Taken together, the results of the research show that while both alcohol and amphetamine use exert negative effects on both liver and kidneys, when used together, they cause more damage to these organs. In addition, the prevalence of alcohol use disorder was found to be 75% higher among amphetamine-dependent patients.

“Understanding the dangers implied can assist people with pursuing informed choices and look for suitable assistance and treatment,” concluded the authors.

Previous studies have already shown that combined alcohol and psychostimulants consumption is very common among individuals suffering from substance use disorder. However, there is still very little known about the pharmacological interactions between alcohol and stimulant drugs.

Another U.S. based review study showed that co-abuse of stimulants and alcohol is quite common. “The prevalence of concurrent abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants such as [methamphetamines], cocaine, nicotine, or MDMA is extremely high. This increase in prevalence of co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants is most likely due to potentiated effects on euphoria and pleasure as well as decrease detrimental subjective effects of either alcohol or other drugs of abuse,” wrote the authors.

The review found that co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants can also result in neurological dysfunction, including decreases in brain antioxidant enzyme levels, disruption of learning and memory processes, cerebral hypo-perfusion, and increased drug seeking behaviour. Other research studies have also shown that co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants can lead to increases in heart rate, as well as blood pressure, and the risk of developing different types of cancer. Moreover, co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants during pregnancy has been shown to lead to fetal brain abnormalities.