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Acute and residual interactive effects of repeated administrations of oral methamphetamine and alcohol in humans

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Abstract

Although methamphetamine and alcohol are commonly used together in a binge-like pattern, there is a dearth of empirical data investigating the repeated effects of this drug combination. The current study examined acute and residual mood, performance, and physiological effects of methamphetamine alone, alcohol alone, and the combination. Nine adult male volunteers completed this 20-day within-participant, residential laboratory study. During four 5-day blocks of sessions, participants were administered oral methamphetamine (0, 10 mg) combined with alcohol (0, 0.375, 0.75 g/kg) three times (day 2: AM, day 2: PM, and day 3: PM). Breath alcohol concentrations, cardiovascular, subjective, and cognitive/psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and repeatedly thereafter. Subjective and objective sleep measures were also assessed; residual effects were assessed on days 3–5 of each block. Following the first drug administration, the methamphetamine–alcohol combination produced greater elevations of heart rate and ratings of “good drug effect” compared to either drug alone. Methamphetamine attenuated alcohol-related performance decrements and feelings of intoxication, whereas alcohol attenuated methamphetamine-related sleep disruptions. By the third administration, many of these effects were significantly diminished, suggesting that participants developed tolerance. Few residual effects were observed. These data show that methamphetamine combined with alcohol produced a profile of effects that was different from the effects of either drug alone. The largely positive effects of the drug combination (i.e., greater euphoria, and fewer performance and sleep disruptions) might explain why these drugs are often used in combination.

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Acknowledgements

The medical assistance of Drs. Elias Dakwar and David Mysels and the technical assistance of Audrey Perez, Michaela Bamdad, Marc Scullin, Mabel Torres, Laura Rolfe, and Christina Hadzitheodorou are gratefully acknowledged. This research was supported by grant number DA-03746 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick & Carl L. Hart

  2. Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick, Erik W. Gunderson, Frances R. Levin, Richard W. Foltin & Carl L. Hart

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick

  4. New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 120, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Carl L. Hart

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  1. Matthew G. Kirkpatrick
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  2. Erik W. Gunderson
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  3. Frances R. Levin
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  4. Richard W. Foltin
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  5. Carl L. Hart
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Correspondence to Carl L. Hart.

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Kirkpatrick, M.G., Gunderson, E.W., Levin, F.R. et al. Acute and residual interactive effects of repeated administrations of oral methamphetamine and alcohol in humans. Psychopharmacology 219, 191–204 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2390-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2390-5

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