Addiction to alcohol and cocaine is a familiar combination for drug and alcohol rehabilitation center employees. Alcohol numbs the user and lowers their inhibitions, while cocaine gives a boost of energy and a euphoric high. Combined, cocaine and alcohol seem to be exactly what an alcoholic needs to keep drinking until the sun comes up.
Alone, alcohol can cause symptoms such as loss of motor coordination, slow speech, reduced inhibitions, blurred vision, impaired judgment, depression, increased fatigue or sleepiness, slowed heart rate & breathing, reduced blood pressure, and dehydration. On the other hand, cocaine use causes an energetic high, constricts blood vessels that cause high blood pressure, increased body temperature, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and a craving for more cocaine as it begins to wear off. When these drugs are used in conjunction with each other, the potential effects can be dangerous and addictive.
The dangers of mixing alcohol and cocaine
When these two drugs l are used together, the active ingredients in these substances combine to form cocaethylene. Cocaethylene builds up in the liver and increases blood pressure as well as causing aggressive, violent thoughts and poor judgment. If too much of this molecule is produced in the liver, it can reach toxic levels and can cause a heart attack, cardiac arrest, and sudden death. For those that survive an incident like this, it usually serves as a wake-up call to reach out for addiction treatment at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.
Short term effects of mixing cocaine and alcohol include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Breathing problems
- Heart palpitations
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of motor function and coordination
A long term effect of mixing cocaine and alcohol is the potential for liver damage and ultimately liver failure. Long term alcohol abuse can lead to liver damage on its own, but this process is sped up when combined with cocaine use. Also, cocaine use can cause increased blood pressure which puts stress on the kidneys. A long term cocaine addiction can eventually lead to kidney failure.
Alcohol, Cocaine, and Suicide
Getting someone who has an addiction to both of these drugs into a treatment center is critical, not only because of the symptoms and effects listed above but also because mixing these drugs has been tied to increased suicide rates. A study conducted at Brown University found that “the links between substance misuse and suicide risk are complex, but cocaine and alcohol together was particularly significant”. In fact, the risk for someone who mixes cocaine and alcohol to attempt suicide within a year following emergency treatment is significantly greater. This emphasizes the need for long term treatment, a solid aftercare plan, and a supportive home environment.
If you are a loved one is struggling with the abuse of drugs and alcohol, get treatment from a holistic addiction rehabilitation center. Contact Level Up Lake Worth today to talk with an admissions specialist.
FAQs About Alcohol & Cocaine Addiction: A Deadly Drug Combination
What happens when you mix alcohol and cocaine?
Mixing these two is very dangerous because they create a new poison in your liver. This poison is called cocaethylene. It stays in your body much longer than just one drug alone. It is a big reason why doctors talk about alcohol & cocaine addiction: a deadly drug combination. This new chemical is very hard on your organs. It makes the chance of having a heart attack or a stroke much higher.
How does this mix affect your heart?
Your heart gets very confused when you use both at once. Alcohol tries to slow the heart down, but cocaine tries to make it go fast. This tug-of-war is why people call alcohol & cocaine addiction: a deadly drug combination. Your heart has to work much harder than it should. It can cause the heart to beat in a scary, uneven way. This extra stress can cause the heart to stop working suddenly.
Why is it harder to stop using both at once?
Using them together makes the “high” feel stronger, but the “crash” feels much worse. This makes the cycle of alcohol & cocaine addiction: a deadly drug combination very hard to break. Your brain starts to think it needs both things to feel any joy. When you try to quit, you might feel very sad or sick in two different ways. It takes a lot of support from doctors to help the brain heal from both.
Does mixing them make people act differently?
Yes, this mix can make a person act very brave or even mean. Since cocaine makes you feel awake and alcohol makes you lose your balance, you might do things that are not safe. People often take bigger risks because they don’t feel how drunk they really are. This is part of why alcohol & cocaine addiction: a deadly drug combination causes many accidents. It hides the warning signs that your body is in trouble.
Can this combination hurt your liver?
The liver is the organ that cleans your blood, and this mix is like a heavy weight on it. When you have alcohol & cocaine addiction: a deadly drug combination, your liver has to work double time. The special poison made by the mix can scar the liver and make it stop working. Once the liver is hurt, it cannot clean out other toxins. Keeping your liver healthy is a very important reason to stay away from this mix.
Is there help for people using both?
There is always hope for someone who wants to get better. Doctors and counselors know how to help people who are stuck in this habit. They use special medicine and talk therapy to help the body get clean safely. It is much safer to get help at a clinic than to try and stop alone. With the right team, a person can leave this dangerous mix behind and start a very healthy life.
