Cocaine and alcohol are both addictive substances, which means that over time they can lead to dependence and addiction. When combined, they can create a dangerous mix.
When people mix cocaine and alcohol, they are putting themselves at risk for serious harm. Mixing these substances can boost the effects of both drugs and lead to dangerous consequences, such as overdose.
When using either drug alone, users may experience increased heart rate, euphoria, extreme energy, hallucinations, paranoia, and intense desire for sex. But by combining the two drugs, those risks increase exponentially.
A combination of cocaine and alcohol also increases the chances that someone will overdose from both substances. When combined, these substances can create toxic levels of chemicals in the body that can cause considerable damage.
Key Takeaways
Cocaine and alcohol are toxic substances harmful to the body and the bloodstream. The drugs are metabolized in the liver to be removed from the body.
Continue reading to learn more about cocaine and alcohol, including:
- Cocaine is a stimulant that speeds up processes in the body.
- Alcohol has a depressant effect that slows down a person’s body and brain functioning.
- People use alcohol and cocaine together to increase their high or decrease the unwanted effects of alcohol or cocaine use.
- A combination of alcohol and cocaine causes short and long-term adverse effects, which can sometimes be severe and cause sudden death.
Drug rehab centers like The Haven Detox-South Florida provide effective treatment programs to combat alcohol and cocaine addiction.
Continue reading the article to learn more about our services, and call us at (561)328-8627.
Cocaine
Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a powerful psychoactive drug typically snorted, smoked, or injected. Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and has no legitimate medical use.
People often use it in combination with other drugs, such as heroin, to increase the effects. Cocaine is highly addictive and can cause liver damage when taken in large doses.
Cocaine is mainly used as a recreational drug or to self-medicate conditions like depression and ADHD. Some people also use cocaine as an addiction management tool to help them break their addiction to other drugs.
When taken by mouth, cocaine typically comes as a powder that users mix with water or juice to create a slushy or liquid form that they then drink or swallow. Cocaine can also be combined with other substances and smoked as an e-cigarette.
There are several risks associated with using cocaine, including addiction and overdose. Cocaine can be addictive and lead to compulsive use.
Overdose can occur when too much cocaine is taken, leading to sudden changes in mood, increased heart rate, seizures, and premature death.
Alcohol
Alcohol can also lead to addiction and other health problems if used excessively. Alcohol abuse is a problem that can have devastating consequences.
Excessive drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, blackouts, and death. In addition, alcohol abuse can lead to a host of side effects, including liver damage, dizziness, memory problems, and heart attack.
If you or someone you know is abusing alcohol, get help. Many treatment options are available; the sooner you seek help, the better your chance of overcoming alcohol abuse and its harmful effects.
These effects can range from mild to life-threatening and often depend on how much alcohol the individual consumes. The most common adverse effect of alcohol abuse is liver damage. Heavy drinking can result in liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Other common side effects of alcohol abuse include:
- Impaired judgment
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slurred speech
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Increased risk for accidents
To avoid these side effects, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse.
Click here to learn more about the warning signs of alcohol abuse.
Cocaethylene
When a person uses alcohol and cocaine simultaneously, cocaethylene develops. Cocaethylene is a byproduct of the two substances which originates in the liver as a result of the metabolic processing of cocaine and alcohol.
Cocaethylene is cardiotoxic, meaning it is poisonous to the heart. Cocaethylene raises heart rate, breathing, and high blood pressure. When these levels become too high, it can cause heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death.
Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol
People who use alcohol and cocaine together often do so because they believe that the drugs will help them feel better. However, this is not the case.
Using these substances together can make things worse. For example, drinking alcohol while using cocaine can increase the risk of overdose and sudden death.
Many people use alcohol and cocaine together because they believe the two substances work together to increase pleasure and make the user feel more relaxed.
In reality, however, alcohol and cocaine are both highly addictive and can lead to serious consequences if used excessively.
Cocaine amplifies the effects of alcohol, leading to impaired judgment and an increased risk of accidents. Additionally, both substances can lead to tolerance and addiction, making it difficult to stop using them.
The combination of alcohol and cocaine can temporarily increase energy and euphoria. However, this short-lived feeling can quickly become an intense addiction. Alcohol and cocaine both increase heart rate and cause feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations.
These effects can be dangerous if not monitored closely. People who use alcohol and cocaine together often become severely addicted to one or both substances.
They may find it impossible to stop using either drug on their own, even if it is causing them harm. Additionally, combining cocaine with other stimulants, such as caffeine, can increase the risk of psychosis and seizures.
People who mix cocaine and alcohol should be cautious because the effects of each drug last longer when taken together. The longer an individual stays awake or stimulated by the drug combination, the more likely they will have serious consequences later.
People who use stimulant drugs like cocaine and depressants like alcohol should avoid activities that require a lot of energy or concentration, such as driving or working long hours.
If you are fighting an addiction to alcohol or cocaine, please seek help from a medical healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can provide information about how these substances affect your health and go over your treatment options.
Signs You Are Dependent on Cocaine and Alcohol
Suppose you use cocaine or alcohol to self-medicate a problem with your mood, behavior, or energy. You may become dependent on these substances.
Here are some of the most common signs that you depend on cocaine or alcohol:
- You use cocaine or alcohol to get high.
- You feel withdrawal symptoms when you stop using cocaine or alcohol.
- You feel the urgency to consume cocaine or alcohol.
- You use cocaine or alcohol to avoid feeling uncomfortable emotions like anxiety or stress.
- You use cocaine or alcohol to numb the feeling of pain.
Contact a healthcare professional if you or your loved ones have any of the hallmarks of addiction, such as:
- Increased tolerance.
- Withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, fatigue, and mood swings when stopping use.
- Using more than intended to achieve a desired effect.
- Continuing to use it despite negative consequences, such as job loss or family problems.
- Spending a large amount of money on drugs or alcohol.
- Sleeping very little or not at all.
To avoid these side effects, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of alcohol and cocaine abuse.
How Long Do Cocaine and Alcohol Stay In Your System
Cocaine and alcohol stay in your system for different lengths of time. Cocaine can stay in your system for up to eight hours, while alcohol can remain in your system for up to 12 hours. The half-life of cocaine is around three hours, and the half-life of alcohol is about eight hours.
This means that after three hours, only half of the cocaine in your system has been removed. After eight hours, only one-quarter of the cocaine and alcohol in your system has been eliminated.
Cocaine and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very similar.
The most common cocaine withdrawal symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
- Hyperactivity and anxiety
Cocaine and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the amount and frequency of use and the individual.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Alcohol is considered a depressant drug that slows down your body and brain messaging. In contrast, cocaine is a stimulant drug that speeds things up.
People may use alcohol and cocaine together to enhance euphoria or reduce the negative effects of alcohol or cocaine use.
Using these substances together puts you at a higher risk of negative effects, including alcohol poisoning, violence, health problems, and sudden death.
People believe taking both can boost the cocaine high and help avoid withdrawal. This is just not true. Mixing cocaine and alcohol can have lethal results.
Alcohol and cocaine both have a socially stimulating nature. The two drugs often go hand in hand. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has determined that 16.8 percent of people over 26 have used cocaine in their lifetime.
Compare this to the 86.3 percent of people over 18 years that have consumed alcohol in the last month. There is bound to be some overlap between people who have used both substances concurrently.
A study found alcohol was the most dangerous among the legal and illegal drugs abused when combining hazard to the user and hazard to others.
Alcohol is blamed for approximately 2,100 overdose deaths a year in the United States, according to statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cocaine took 14,510 people’s lives in the last year. With these numbers, cocaine seems far more dangerous than alcohol. However, alcohol is more dangerous than cocaine powder and heroin when damage to wider society is included, a study has found.
Not only do people die in the United States from high doses of alcohol, but 88,000 deaths yearly are also caused by alcohol use disorder. That number includes deaths caused by alcohol-related severe diseases, as well as those caused by car accidents involving alcohol use.
The fact is that both drugs can potentially harm or even kill. Both drugs are harmful to one’s self and society.
Overcome Addiction with The Haven Detox-South Florida
We offer a variety of treatment programs to our clients. We understand your suffering and that each individual is different. Therefore, we have tailored programs to meet your needs. Our detoxification programs are designed for you and your specific situation.
If you are looking for a medically-supervised detox program, we are here to help. Our residential treatment programs are made to help each client recover from substance abuse disorder in a comfortable environment.
Each patient receives individualized attention from our staff and physicians to ensure their safety and comfort during their stay at our facility. In addition, we offer 24/7 access to our medical team.
Our staff is specialized in helping people of all age groups to deal with addiction and its consequences, including relapse and withdrawal symptoms. A unique program for adolescents was designed according to the needs of teens. They will work with your teen to create a treatment plan that considers their individual situation.
Get more information about our substance use treatment programs by calling us at (561) 328-8627.
