What to Know About Mixing Alcohol and Cocaine

Mixing alcohol and cocaine is becoming an increasingly popular combination. Many who regularly go on nights out or are drinking with friends bring cocaine into the mix, unaware of the dangers that this specific substance combination carries.

In England, 26,452 people receiving treatment reported that alcohol and cocaine were problem substances for them. Separately, the substances can be dangerous, but together the dangers only increase.

If you are combining alcohol and cocaine, you should know about these dangers, what happens when you mix them and the treatment options available to you if you are ready to get professional help.

 

Why People Mix Alcohol and Cocaine

People can mix alcohol and cocaine for several reasons. As part of a night out, alcohol can be used to help people initially relax. Cocaine can balance out the groggy feeling that comes with alcohol, making you feel more alert.

Together, the substances can make you more sociable, stay awake for longer and be in a more partying mood.

When the effects of cocaine wear off, there can be a crash. Alcohol can offset this and help you stay relaxed and less anxious.

In essence, people take them together because they believe they complement one another, helping to keep your night going and more sociable, not realising the damage the combination can do.

 

What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Cocaine

Mixing any drugs is dangerous, but this particular combination has a more obvious risk because when the two substances are combined, your liver produces a unique, more toxic compound called cocaethylene.

The Production of Cocaethylene

When you take a substance, it goes into your bloodstream and is eventually broken down in the liver. Your body then excretes the substance, usually as urine.

If cocaine and alcohol are being processed in your liver, a psychoactive compound called cocaethylene is created.

Cocaethylene is more dangerous than either substance taken alone because it is a toxic substance, potentially more damaging to your organs, and it causes the effects of alcohol and cocaine to last longer, as it stays in your system for up to five times longer. This then produces a more intense high and cravings, increasing the risk of addiction developing.

 

Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Cocaine

Combining alcohol and cocaine brings with it many risks, especially the fact that it puts more stress on your body than either substance alone would.

Cardiovascular Risks

Cocaethylene is chemically similar to cocaine but more toxic. It is more cardiotoxic, meaning that it can cause more damage to your heart muscles and disrupt your heart rhythm. The half-life of cocaine is around 45 to 90 minutes, whereas cocaethylene is about 144 minutes.

That means that cocaethylene is affecting your heart for longer, increasing the risk of seizures, heart attacks and strokes.

Liver Damage

Your liver processes substances, trying to get them out of your body as quickly as possible. Cocaethylene is more toxic to your liver and stays in your system for longer. Along with trying to process this harmful byproduct, your liver still has to process the alcohol and cocaine in your system, putting it under massive strain.

Increased Overdose Risk

People combine alcohol and cocaine to deal with the effects of the other. The danger comes with the fact that they mask each other very well. That means people drink more or use more cocaine because they believe they are fine, but they are actually using a toxic amount that can lead to an overdose.

 

Signs of Polydrug Misuse

Polydrug use is when you use multiple substances together. If you are worried about combining substances regularly, some signs may point towards you having a deeper problem with this habit.

Common signs of polydrug misuse to be aware of include:

• Regularly combining substances to help manage the effects
• One substance triggering the use of another
• Becoming more secretive or lying about polydrug use
• Increasingly using substances together
• Neglecting personal responsibilities
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• More time, effort and thought put into obtaining and using substances

Doing substances together on a night out occasionally can be bad for you but doesn’t point towards a serious problem. When your use becomes more regular and compulsive, that is when there may be a severe addiction developing.

 

Getting Help for Polydrug Use

Treating polydrug use can be more complex than dealing with a single substance. Going to an alcohol rehab, while helpful for alcohol, may not be completely effective in treating another substance like cocaine or opioids. Different substances have different withdrawal timelines, impacts on your mental health and demand different approaches.

In a professional setting, you’ll also participate in:

• A structured programme that addresses multiple addictions together
• Medically assisted detox in a safe setting under medical care
• A combination of individual and group therapies to address underlying issues
• Additional support along your recovery journey, taking part in group support meetings to lessen the risk of relapse

When it comes to polydrug treatment, you should get specialist support, rather than attempting to do it alone or getting generic advice. With professional help, you’ll undergo a comprehensive assessment that finds the right treatment pathway that is safe and effective.

Beginning recovery without professional help can mean attempting withdrawal alone. This can be dangerous, and you should seek out medical advice before attempting it.

 

Get Help with Alcohol and Cocaine Misuse Today

Alcohol and cocaine together are a particularly dangerous combination. They put strain on your body and intensify intoxication, leading to many potential issues.

Addiction Advocates is an advisory service that can help you connect to alcohol or cocaine rehabs near you. Get in touch now for confidential guidance if you are concerned about your own use or someone you know.