Drugs, Alcohol and Mixing
- Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs –Types of Interactions
- Alcohol and Energy Drinks
- Uppers, Downers and All-Arounders
Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs
Types of Drug Interactions
Independent: alcohol and oral contraceptives
Additive: 1+1 = 2
Synergistic: When the combined effects are greater than the sum of the effects of the two drugs alone.
Antagonistic: A combo that is less than the sum of the effects of the two drugs.
Alcohol can be dangerous when mixed with other recreational drugs or medications. Below are some of the reactions that might take place after mixing alcohol with different types of drugs as well as a chart describing the effects of a variety of recreational and prescription drugs:
Sedatives: Using alcohol with GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, barbiturates, tranquilizers or sleeping pills will multiply the sedative effects of both drugs, which can slow down your central nervous system enough to cause loss of consciousness, a coma or death. Sedatives like GHB and Rohypnol are often used as date rape drugs because of this dangerous combination.
Marijuana: Using alcohol with marijuana can decrease motor control and mental concentration and greatly impair your ability to drive. Because marijuana suppresses the gag reflex, you may not be able to throw up alcohol when your body needs to.
Prescription drugs: Countless medications interact harmfully with alcohol. Alcohol's effects are heightened by medicines that depress the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and some painkillers. In addition, medicines for certain disorders, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, can have harmful interactions with alcohol. Using alcohol with a prescribed drug or an over-the-counter drug may affect your liver's ability to metabolize the medication and can decrease the medication's effectiveness. The combination of drugs can also multiply the effects of the alcohol and the medication and may cause liver damage. Call your pharmacist to ask about using alcohol with any prescribed drugs. For more information about the reactions between specific medications and alcohol check out pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm.
Over the counter (OTC) drugs: Aspirin irritates the stomach which can lead to ulcers and bleeding. Acetaminophen combined with alcohol increases the risk of liver damage for chronic heavy drinkers.
Cocaine: Combining alcohol and cocaine can increase the risk of liver and heart disease, strokes and epilepsy. The two substances combine to produce a chemical called cocaethylene, which heightens and prolongs the euphoric effects of cocaine, but which is also significantly more potent and toxic than either cocaine or alcohol alone, and increase the risk of sudden death.
Opiates: Using alcohol with narcotics such as heroin, codeine or Darvon slows down the central nervous system and can cause your breathing to stop, a coma and even death.
For more detailed information regarding drugs and your college experience check out www.factsontap.org/factsontap/drugs/index.htm.
Alcohol and Energy Drinks
Some energy drinks (i.e., Red Bull) are frequently mixed with alcohol. If you mix energy drinks with alcohol, you will be more alert, but your body doesn’t feel the fatigue generally felt with alcohol to let you know that you have had enough. It is easy to drink too much and not feel the effects of the alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and when mixed with the caffeine (a stimulant) in the energy drink, symptoms can range from severe dehydration, insomnia, vomiting, nose bleeds and even cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary condition. Death has even been the result.
Alcohol plus an energy drink is a DANGEROUS Combination!
Theory: People claim that the beverage tastes great and that they get tired less quickly and can party later into the night.
The Truth: Caffeine and alcohol are a dangerous combination, as both are diuretics and cause dehydration). As a result, the drink causes:
- A greater likelihood of hangovers
- Death due to severe dehydration
Don’t mix alcohol with energy drinks!
Uppers, Downers and All-Arounders
TYPE / FORM |
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Effects |
Risks |
Natural |
Synthetic / Designer* |
Pharmaceutical (Rx) |
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UPPERS |
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Crack
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DOWNERS |
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Hallucinogens:
Marijuana:
MDMA:
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Hallucinogens:
Marijuana:
MDMA:
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*Note: With synthetic or designer drugs there is always the risk of drugs being tainted or cut with other chemicals. These drugs are made illegally in clandestine labs, so you can never be sure you’re getting what you think you paid for. |
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