Kidney Diseases Caused By Drug Use
When you use drugs and alcohol, most of these substances are filtered and excreted through the kidneys. When kidneys are exposed to toxins, their functioning may be compromised, and the more damaged the kidneys become, the more prone to toxicity from drugs they become. If a person becomes tolerant to a drug and begins to take more to achieve a high, this amplifies the damage to the kidneys. Damage may include:
Does Alcohol Use Create Kidney Stones In The Body
The National Kidney Foundation reports that as many as one out of every 10 people will pass a kidney stone at some point in their lifetime. Kidney stones are formed when crystals collect and solidify within the urine forming a little rock that is then often passed out of the body through the urinary tract. This can be very painful. Tenderness, fever and chills, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, nausea, and vomiting are all potential signs of a kidney stone.
When waste builds up too fast for the liquid urine to dissolve it, kidney stones may be the result. Crystal-forming chemicals include oxalate, cystine, urate, phosphate, and xanthine. As published by Mayo Clinic, the four main types of kidney stones are calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones.
Several factors can contribute to the buildup of these waste products in urine, which can cause kidney stones to form. Drinking alcohol is not thought to cause kidney stones directly, but alcohol use may increase a persons vulnerability to them.
Further Reading
Healing From The Impacts Of Drug Use At Resurgence Behavioral Health
If you or a loved one are suffering the health impacts of drug use and want to stop substance abuse in a safe and effective manner, contact Resurgence Behavioral Health alcohol and drug rehab center. We offer:
- Integrated medication assisted treatment protocols for alcohol and drug detox, including medications to keep you comfortable and healthy as you detox, as well as comprehensive medical care, therapy, dual diagnosis treatments for mental illness and PTSD, and counseling, in a whole-patient approach to healing.
- A full continuum of care leads from detox to inpatient drug rehab, through to our customizable outpatient programs including a partial hospitalization program and an intensive outpatient program . Some of the treatments provided during rehab include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, experiential therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise coaching, life skills training, and EMDR.
- Aftercare and resources for you once your rehab program is complete, including alumni gatherings, 12-step and SMART recovery meetings, sober living home options, and a long-term outpatient program that will keep you connected to doctors and psychiatric care for as long as you need.
We provide heroin addiction and cocaine addiction treatment, prescription drug addiction treatment, and alcohol rehab at Resurgence substance abuse treatment center.
Don’t Miss: What Are The Requirements For Kidney Donation
Ecstasy Is An Empathogen
Ecstasy is classified as an empathogen drug that contains methylenedioxymethamphetamine , a derivative of amphetamine.Many pills sold as ecstasy contain only small amounts of MDMA, or sometimes none.
The effects of ecstasy can share some similarities with amphetamines such as feeling energetic and euphoric, and having an increased heart rate.
Can Adderall Damage Your Liver
Can Adderall damage your liver? Liver Damage. Heavy Adderall use can damage the liver. The liver is an extremely important body organ whose main function is to remove impurities from the blood coming from the digestive tract, before releasing it to the rest of the body.
Does Adderall affect kidney function? Kidney and Liver Damage. When Adderall is taken in excess, the kidney and liver are unable to handle the high concentration of drug, and ultimately, the drug causes toxicity to both organs, subsequently leading to kidney and liver damage.
How does Adderall affect your kidneys? When Adderall is taken in excess, the kidney and liver are unable to handle the high concentration of drug, and ultimately, the drug causes toxicity to both organs, subsequently leading to kidney and liver damage.
How does amphetamine addiction affect your liver and kidneys? Amphetamine abuse can cause liver or kidney failure. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins from your body and into urine. Some amphetamines lead to a breakdown in muscle tissue, which releases a higher amount of toxins your kidneys are required to process.
Read Also: How Are The Kidneys Affected By Heat
Cases Of Liver Injury
There are many case histories of liver damage from the use of amphetamines, particularly MDMA. A German teen who had been abusing MDMA on weekends for a few months suddenly developed jaundice and fatigue. His tests showed the presence of liver injury resulting from his drug abuse. Over the next four months, his test results recovered to a normal level.
A 32-year-old woman who had just used MDMA suffered a collapse associated with liver injury. She wound up in intensive care on a ventilator and was finally released ten days later.
In 1996, a study was made of seven young men who died after abusing MDMA or a similar drug. All had severe changes in their livers, and in one case, the liver was destroyed by the effects of the drug.
Stimulants are very destructive to the brain and the nervous system. When the brain is affected, ones entire physical or emotional balance can be lost. More information is available on the next page.
Resources:
Dangers Of Mixing Adderall And Alcohol
Introduction
Adderall is a stimulant medication. Its used to manage the symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in adults and children. As more people are diagnosed with ADHD, more people are being prescribed this medication.
Adderall is a Schedule 2 drug. That means its a controlled substance with high potential for abuse and addiction. Adderall comes with risks. Learn about Adderall abuse and the hazards of mixing the drug with alcohol.
Adderall is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. This does not mean that the two substances cancel each other out. Instead, they compete with each other in your body. This effect can cause serious problems.
You May Like: Can You Be Born With 1 Kidney
How Amphetamine Addiction Affects Your Liver And Kidneys
03/25/2017|Amphetamines.com Team
Your liver is responsible for breaking down toxins, and your kidneys are responsible for releasing these toxins from your body in the form of waste. When you suffer from amphetamine addiction, you face a higher risk of liver and kidney failure due to the way amphetamines interfere with these organs. Knowing more about the link between amphetamine addiction and liver or kidney failure can motivate you or your loved one to seek addiction treatment and become healthier.
If youre struggling with amphetamine addiction, understand that help is available and nearby. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at to speak with a drug abuse counselor about your options for local drug rehab centers that treat amphetamine addiction.
Heres a closer look at how amphetamine addiction affects your liver and kidney health.
Dependency Abuse And Misuse
Adderall and Adderall XR are both Schedule II controlled substances because of their potential for drug abuse and dependency. Adderall is sometimes misused as a weight loss aid or study drug by high-school and college students. Prolonged high doses of Adderall can cause dependency and withdrawal symptoms when withdrawn suddenly.
Recommended Reading: How Do Kidneys Regulate Acid Base Balance
Adderall Side Effects That Are Common
May 08, 2018 01:19 ETTheRecover.com
San Diego, California, UNITED STATES
SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2018 If you have any of the symptoms below, consult your doctor but note that these symptoms might go away within a few days once your body gets used to Adderall. If Adderall abuse is present on you or someone you know dont hesitate to call a drug addiction counselor at TheRecover.com
Chest Pains: Adderall is a stimulant that increases Central and Peripheral Nervous System activity. So, once you take an Adderall pill, your brain will start to become stimulated at a faster pace. This also stimulates the brain area that is responsible for your heart rate. Some people may feel this increase in heart rate as chest pains.
Insomnia: Adderall should be taken in the morning. Taking stimulants later in the day would cause insomnia or poor sleep. You might find yourself rolling around at night being unable to fall asleep. This is similar to drinking coffee an hour before bedtime if you have never taken Adderall before.
Loss of Appetite: Stimulants decrease hunger. You might not want to eat for awhile on Adderall but it is recommended that you eat a meal before you take your first pill. This will decrease nausea.
Throwing Up: Some people can not stand the nausea and throw up.
Moody: Adderall, in some people. causes strong shifts in emotions. Some people become easily annoyed or aggravated.
Contact Info:
Dont Miss: Grapes And Kidney Stones
Tell Your Doctor About All Medical Conditions And Medications
Because of the risk of side effects, you should tell your prescribing doctor or healthcare provider about:
- Any medical conditions, such as heart, circulation, or blood pressure problems, as well as an overactive thyroid or a history of seizures
- Psychiatric conditions, especially schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or Tourettes syndrome
- Any history of substance abuse
- All medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and remedies being taken
Recommended Reading: What Is The Size Of Kidney
What Are The Tests For Hematuria
Adults who have microscopic hematuria with normal blood pressure and kidney function should have their urine checked over several months. If blood in the urine continues:
- A kidney ultrasound may be performed.
- Urine should be checked for protein and may be checked for calcium and creatinine .
- Blood test to determine kidney function and other tests may be performed.
- If all tests are negative, and blood remains in the urine, yearly checkups should be done.
Adults who have microscopic hematuria with high blood pressure, abnormal blood tests, a family history of kidney disease or high levels of protein in the urine may need to have a kidney biopsy.
Recommended Reading: Pineapple And Kidney Stones
Amphetamine Use In Australia
According to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, meth/amphetamine use has significantly declined since 2001.
In 2019, 1.3% of Australians had used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months.
Among people who use meth/amphetamines, ice is the most used form .
Powder use continued to decline among people who use meth/amphetamine from 51% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2019.
Recommended Reading: Can Women Get Kidney Stones
Adderall Side Effects You Need To Know About
Heart issues?!
Things Adderall should be taken for: treating attention deficit hyperactive disorder . Things Adderall shouldn’t be used for: partying all night, losing weight, or pulling an all-nighter.
Yet, increasing numbers of young people seem to be using the drug for the latter.
One 2016 study from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health showed that emergency room visits among 18 to 25 year olds for non-medical uses of Adderall increased 156 percent between 2006 and 2011.
Adderall is a stimulant, and taking it can help people with ADHD to better focus and feel more alert. It can have those effects on people without ADHD as well, and thats why its commonly abused. In many ways, its similar to caffeine, says Shanna R. Levine, M.D., instructor of medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. It can make you feel euphoric, awake and alert, and make a mundane task seem more stimulating and easier to focus on. Some people might think, Who wouldnt want that?
But, says Levine, taking Adderall when its not needed and when dosing isnt monitored can have unpleasant and dangerous side effects. I recommend the lowest dosage amount that will cause a therapeutic effect in people who need it for ADHD symptoms, she says. We dont have studies yet to show what the long-term effects of taking Adderall are, so while we know its fairly well-tolerated, it does have effects on the heart and brain that need to be considered.
How The Kidneys Function
The kidneys main job is to filter blood, detoxifying and removing excess waste as urine, which then travels to the bladder. They also maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body , prevent waste buildup in the blood, and produce hormones to keep blood pressure stable, make red blood cells, and keep bones strong.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Remove A Kidney Stent
How Should This Medicine Be Used
The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine comes as an immediate-relase tablet and as an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The immediate-release tablet is usually taken 2 to 3 times daily, 4 to 6 hours apart, with or without food. The extended-release capsule is usually taken upon awakening with or without food. The extended-release capsule is usually taken upon awakening and must be taken consistently either with or without food. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine combination should not be taken in the late afternoon or evening because it may cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dextroamphetamine and amphetamine exactly as directed.
Swallow the extended-release capsules whole do not chew or crush them. If you are unable to swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the entire contents on a teaspoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not store the applesauce and medication mixture for future use, and do not divide the contents of one capsule into more than one dose.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and increase your dose gradually, not more often than once every week.
Study Drugs Come With Health Risks Bu Docs Say
The stress of keeping up with academic life, especially around finals time, can be challenging, even for the best of students. A fall 2007 American College Health Association study found that over 90 percent of college students felt overwhelmed by all that they had to do. So its not surprising that some turn to illegal prescription drugs to boost their ability to study harder and longer. Drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall, used legally to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder , are also used as study aids and are sold illegally for as much as $10 a pill. A March 2007 study in the journal Addiction found the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among American college students increased from about 4 percent in 1993 to about 10 percent in 2001.
Ritalin and Adderall are the drugs of choice because they increase alertness, attention, and energy. We spoke recently with Sara, a BU student who requested anonymity. She has used both Adderall and Ritalin, and she estimates that about 30 percent of BU students occasionally do the same. Sara says that if she needs to stay up all night to finish a paper, she chooses Adderall. If she needs to study for something small, such as a quiz, she uses Ritalin.
I use study drugs because they keep me up to study I dont even have to think about it, she says. They put me on autopilot.
Amy Laskowski can be reached at .
Recommended Reading: Can A Person Live With One Kidney
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Adderall is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 3 years of age and older. Adderall XR is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Mydayis is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 13 years of age and older. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is also used to treat narcolepsy in adults and children 12 years of age and older. The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Polycystic Kidney Disease
Panic Attacks And Mood Disturbances
Adderall functions by increasing the presence of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and interfering with the way that some of these neurotransmitters are reabsorbed, creating a buildup. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are specifically affected. These chemical messengers are responsible for increasing energy levels, stimulating the brain, and creating feelings of pleasure. They talk to the parts of the brain responsible for the regulation of emotions, internal motivation, and reward.
As these regions of the brain and their messengers are artificially altered by drugs such as Adderall, the chemical structures begin to slowly change. The brain may stop making as much dopamine on its own, for instance, since it has become accustomed to the stimulant drugs interference in its regular production. Since Adderall has ensured that dopamine remains present, the brain will make less of it. When Adderall then leaves the bloodstream and dopamine levels drop, the good feelings will also disappear. Anxiety, depression, and panic may set in. These symptoms are typical of Adderall withdrawal, which can occur after dependence has formed from chronic use of the drug.
Adderall is considered a highly addictive drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration , which classifies it as a Schedule II controlled substance, the highest level of control for a drug with accepted medicinal uses.