We learn from an early age to be cautious about drugs and alcohol. Yet, as we grow older, many of these warnings fall to the wayside. Some drugs, like marijuana, are now legal, and some of the deadliest drugs are actually prescribed by our family doctors. Alcohol also becomes an icebreaker (and sometimes even a crutch) in social situations, making it increasingly easy to combine drugs and alcohol, even if accidentally.
The Attraction of Drugs and Alcohol
When most people hear about drug and alcohol misuse, they tend to think of street drugs. However, the misuse of prescription drugs is a serious epidemic facing the country. With more and more doctors prescribing painkillers and opioids for medicinal reasons, it is important to understand how addicting these pills can be and why they should never be taken with alcohol.
Common Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs that should never be mixed with alcohol fall into three main categories: opioids, sedatives, and anti-depressants/antipsychotics. While these drugs are often important steps to recovery for many patients, failing to take them properly can lead to serious consequences that vary across the three different types of prescription drugs.
Opioids and Alcohol
Opioids are typically prescribed to patients recovering from surgery or who are experiencing a serious amount of pain or physical discomfort. Mixing opioids and alcohol is often compared to mixing heroin and alcohol. In fact, opioids and heroin are chemically similar to one another, making opioids dangerous when not used as directed. Even enjoying just one drink can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Common Opioid Painkillers Are:
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab)
- Codeine
- Morphine (MS Contin, Avinza, Kadian)
- Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
- Fentanyl
- Propoxphyne
- Hydromorphone
- Methadone
- Meperidine
- ...and many more
Side Effects of Mixing Opioids and Alcohol:
- Confusion
- Delayed thinking/mobility
- Trouble focusing
- Mood swings
- Drowsiness
- Memory loss/impairment
- Poor coordination
- Nausea/vomiting
- Constipation
- Low respiratory rate
- Hear rate increase/decrease
- Overdose
- Death
Sedatives and Alcohol
Another prescription drug that should never be mixed with alcohol is a sedative. Sedatives are typically prescribed for patients suffering from anxiety or sleeping disorders. Mixing sedatives and alcohol can be extremely dangerous as this combination can slow your breathing rate down until it ultimately stops.
Common Sedatives Are:
- Barbiturates (Nembutal)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Flunitrazepam)
- General anesthetics
- ...and many more
Side Effects of Mixing Sedatives and Alcohol:
- Confusion
- Lethargy/drowsiness
- Mood swings
- Uncoordinated thinking/movements
- Memory loss/impairment
- Inability to focus
- Slurred speech
- Overdose (leading to vomiting, seizures, coma, and/or death)
Anti-depressants/Anti-psychotics and Alcohol
The last category of prescription drugs you should never mix with alcohol is anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. These two drugs are generally prescribed to patients suffering from mental or mood balance disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia. Combining these drugs with alcohol can lead to serious hazards.
Common Anti-Depressants and Anti-Psychotics Are:
- SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro)
- SNRIs - serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Fetizma, Cymbalta)
- TCAs - tricyclic antidepressants (Amoxapine)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Clozapine (Clozaril)
- Lorasidone (Latuda)
- ...and many more
Side Effects of Mixing Anti-Depressants/Antipsychotics and Alcohol:
- Lowered inhibition
- A tendency to commit violence (physical or sexual)
- Memory impairment
- Coordination issues
- Drowsiness
- Liver damage
- Severe respiratory depression
- Overdose
- Death
Alcohol and Street Drugs
By nature, street drugs are often viewed as more dangerous than prescription drugs, because a user cannot definitively know where they came from or if they contain the product they are labeled as. There are numerous types of street drugs on the market, but there are three basic types that are often mixed with alcohol: marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
Marijuana and Alcohol
Legal in many states, marijuana is generally very easy to get a hold of. People indulge in marijuana for medical or recreational reasons. Either way, marijuana should never be mixed with alcohol. Why? Mixing the two substances tends to increase a person's high, which can lead to hazardous effects.
Side Effects of Mixing Marijuana and Alcohol:
- Anxiety/paranoia
- Increased heart rate
- Memory impairment
- Lethargy/drowsiness
- Withdrawal from people/social activities
- Impaired judgment
- Coma
Cocaine and Alcohol
Cocaine is an illegal drug that is often known for producing feelings of intense pleasure or euphoria. Many people misuse cocaine and alcohol to enhance or prolong this feeling. However, mixing these two drugs can have disastrous results. In fact, in severe cases, mixing cocaine and alcohol produces cocaethylene inside of the body, which can cause death to the heart.
Side Effects of Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol:
- Impaired judgment
- Confusion
- Anxiety/paranoia
- Anger/aggression
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations/arrhythmias
- Seizure
- Stroke
- Coma
- Death
Heroine and Alcohol
Heroine is a dangerous substance to take on its own, let alone when combined with alcohol. This illegal drug often will slow a person's breathing, and when alcohol is added, these symptoms are enhanced, making it dangerously easy to overdose or suffer from respiratory failure, leading to death. For a full list of side effects of mixing heroin and alcohol, refer to the prescription opioid side effects list above.
Addiction and How to Get Help
With so many drugs at our disposal, both prescription and street, it is scary how easy it can be to mix drugs and alcohol. Addiction to one (or both) of these substances increases the hazards outlined above and can be difficult to overcome. Luckily, there are several resources available to anyone struggles with overcoming addiction.
The first step is confiding in a family member or friend. This is important because admitting the problem out loud encourages addicts to become accountable for their problem and can be the most important step in getting better. Next, you should visit your primary care doctor for a list of helpful programs and resources. In addition, exploring community or online resources can be helpful for a successful recovery.
Joining a local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Drug Addicts Anonymous (DAA) meeting are two proven methods for overcoming addiction. Addicts can find resources online and in their own community. These programs function by allowing addicts to discuss safely their abuse, struggles, and even setbacks in a social setting with like-minded individuals.
- AA - https://www.aa.org/
- DAA - http://www.daausa.org/
Another helpful resource for alcohol addiction is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NIAAA has recovery services located throughout the country as well as a helpful phone line (301-443-3860) and website (www.niaaa.nih.gov).
Likewise, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers helpful programs throughout the US to help recovering drug addicts. More information can be obtained by calling their helpline (301-443-1124) or visiting their website (drugabuse.gov).
An extensive list of resources compiled by NIDA on drug and alcohol abuse and recovery can be found at https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/resources.
Conclusion
Drugs and alcohol are easy to abuse in today's society because they are everywhere: in social situations, medical treatments, and other aspects of everyday life. Mixing drugs and alcohol can be deadly and also lead to poor decision making and serious health problems. No one should ever combine drugs and alcohol whether the drugs are prescription or street pills.
Recovering from alcohol or drug abuse is an important step to take to prevent suffering from overdose side effects that can be long-term and damaging. Don't wait: talk with a loved one, a trusted friend, or physician today if you believe you are struggling with addiction.
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