Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol

Alcohol and cocaine are both dangerous substances. Using them can cause addiction, severe health problems, overdose, and ultimately death. When these substances are taken together, the risks are multiplied.

Combined cocaine and alcohol abuse also presents additional challenges in treatment. Withdrawal may be more extreme, and the user might be craving both of these substances at the same time.

If you have a problem with alcohol and cocaine, this article is for you. It will tell you why the combination of these substances is so dangerous, and how you can get cocaine and alcohol addiction treatment if you have fallen into addiction.

Why Is Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol so Dangerous?

The main reason why combining cocaine and alcohol is so dangerous is because they create a new substance in the body called cocaethylene. Cocaethylene is formed when the liver metabolizes cocaine and ethanol. This new substance amplifies the effects of both drugs, and it also takes longer to be metabolized by the body. This means that the effects of cocaethylene last longer than either cocaine or alcohol alone, and they are also more intense.

Cocaethylene is associated with an increased risk of overdose, and it can also lead to organ damage. In fact, cocaethylene is thought to be responsible for 20-30% of all deaths from cocaine use. Mixing alcohol and cocaine also increases the risk of accidents, violence, and suicide.

What Are the Effects of Taking Cocaine and Alcohol Together?

The effects of taking cocaine and alcohol together will depend on a number of factors, including how much of each substance is consumed and the individual’s tolerance levels. In general, the effects of cocaethylene are more intense than either cocaine or alcohol alone.Cocaethylene can cause feelings of euphoria and happiness, but it can also lead to aggression and violence. The risk of overdose is also increased when these substances are taken together. Symptoms of an overdose include seizure, stroke, and heart attack. In some cases, death can occur.

Dangers of Using Both Cocaine and Alcohol Together

There are many risks of combining these drugs. They include:

Increased Health Problems

Someone who mixes these toxic substances together risks even greater health problems. There is a significant risk of increased blood pressure, a serious risk of impacted cardiovascular health (including heart-related health issues such as heart attack), greater chance of stroke, and the larger amounts of alcohol involved cause more liver damage.

Drug users who take both of these drugs at the same time also face an increased risk of mental health problems including depression and anxiety.

More Risky Behavior

People who binge drink often do things that they would not normally do while they are sober. The same can be said for people who take cocaine. When these substances are used together, the chance of engaging in risky behavior also increases. These substances are particularly dangerous together in this respect, as alcohol slows down your reaction times and decreases your ability to think clearly, and cocaine makes you think that you are at the height of your game.

This leads people to engage in actions like driving cars when they are far too intoxicated. Often, the dangers of this kind of risky behavior are even worse when the drug wears off, as the somewhat sobering effects of cocaine leave the system, causing the user to be even more inebriated.

Why Do People Take Both Cocaine and Alcohol?

There are a number of reasons why people might take both cocaine and alcohol. Some people think that the combination will make them feel more intoxicated. Others believe that it will help them to party for longer or reduce the effects of a hangover. Some people might also take both drugs because they are trying to self-medicate for other problems, such as depression or anxiety. Some people drink alcohol when they take cocaine to reduce cocaine’s negative effects.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that mixing cocaine and alcohol is extremely dangerous. If you have a problem with either of these substances, it’s important to get help from a professional addiction treatment program.

Cocaine and Alcohol Addiction

An addiction to any substance can ruin someone’s life. When a person is addicted to more than one substance, the negative effects are even worse. Mixing cocaine and alcohol together is no exception.

When someone combines these substances, the degree to which they are addicted is often greater than when they are ‘only’ addicted to one substance. This is partly because when these drugs are taken together, their effects are greater than the sum of their parts.

When someone is mixing cocaine and alcohol together, there is also likely to be a more intense withdrawal period, which may last for longer than when someone has either separate cocaine or alcohol addictions.

The increased alcohol consumption that comes with combined cocaine and alcohol addiction plays a part in this. While someone who is addicted to alcohol may drink one bottle of vodka before they pass out, someone who is mixing cocaine and alcohol could drink two, increasing the severity of withdrawal.

Polydrug Use: Mixing Alcohol, Mixing Cocaine, Mixing Other Drugs

Cocaine and alcohol use together is very dangerous. Frequently, though, people who mix cocaine and alcohol together also take other drugs. Here is a list of some of the drugs that are often combined with alcohol and cocaine.

Benzodiazepines

Taking alcohol and benzodiazepines like Xanax or diazepam can cause people to get in accidents due to decreased motor function skills as their system slows down. People also frequently overdose from this combination of substances. When cocaine is added into the equation, a user may feel invincible, leading them to take more of these substances, making the dangers even worse.

MDMA

Mixing alcohol with cocaine and MDMA, both uppers, puts a great amount of strain on the heart. While people may believe that MDMA is a harmless party drug that they take for euphoric effects, the chances of death are greatly increased when this drug is added to the already dangerous combination of cocaine and alcohol.

Crystal Meth

Crystal meth is a drug that, like cocaine, has stimulant effects. Users risk even greater damage to their cardiovascular system and vital organs if they engage in substance abuse by taking this drug with cocaine and alcohol.

How Can I Get Help for an Addiction to Cocaine and Alcohol?

If you or someone you love is addicted to cocaine and alcohol, there is help available. There are a number of different treatment options that can be effective, depending on the individual’s needs. In some cases, detoxification may be necessary to help the person safely stop using these substances. This can be followed by inpatient or outpatient treatment, which can help the person learn how to live a sober life.

Conclusion

Combining cocaine and alcohol can lead to alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction, acute and chronic effects, and sudden death. The impulsive and risky behavior that users often engage in can ruin their lives and the lives of others in a moment.

If you are addicted to these substances, it is time to speak with wellness professionals at an addiction treatment center. Doing this might save your life.If you are struggling with an addiction to cocaine and alcohol, please reach out for help today. There is no reason to suffer through this alone. With the right treatment, you can overcome this addiction and start living a healthy, happy life.

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Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

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Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

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Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

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