Organized Chaos - Volume 4
Alcohol, Drugs And Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
by Evelyn Stewart, M.D.
This article continues the Organized Chaos webzine series on the topic of OCD and drugs.
This article will discuss the use of street drugs and alcohol by OCD youth.
Many adolescents experiment with substance use, and between 10-20% of teens have a drug or alcohol problem. The risks of using alcohol and drugs for youth with OCD are even greater.
There are three main reasons why alcohol, street drugs and OCD don't mix well:
The first is alcohol and street drugs may increase anxiety through their chemical effects on the brain. They are often used by teens wanting to "relax," to "have fun," or to "party". These substances may increase anxiety. Alcohol, marijuana (pot, weed), Ecstasy, Ketamine (special K), Mescaline (mesc) and cocaine are drugs that can lead to increased general anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions and compulsions.
The second main reason why alcohol and street drugs don't mix well with OCD is they lead to or to worsen depression. They do this through their chemical activity in the brain. OCD-affected teens are at an increased risk for depression. Drinking alcohol and using street drugs increases this vulnerability.
The third reason why alcohol, street drugs and OCD don't mix well is that their chemical effects may interfere with OCD medications. Mixing many types of OCD medication with either alcohol or drugs may change levels of medication in the bloodstream. This is dangerous and can lead to increased side effects, accidental overdose or to decreased effectiveness of the OCD medication.
This article is meant to help OCD-affected youth to learn about some important aspects of OCD and its treatment. This information will help with decision-making about what you want to put in your body. If you use street drugs or alcohol, it is a good idea to mention this to your doctor they can provide more specific details on how they affect your OCD and your medications.
S. Evelyn Stewart, M.D. can be contacted through the Department of Children and Adolescents' Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital. She is the recipient of the OCF Research Award in 2003, and is a psychiatrist and research fellow at the MGH/Harvard Medical School.
