Dangerous interactions can occur when consuming alcohol while taking drugs. According to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, about a third of all emergency room visits related to drugs involve the patient drinking alcohol while taking other drugs. Many do not understand the serious repercussions that can occur when using drugs in combination with alcohol. Individuals who take certain medications on a regular basis may not consider how alcohol will interact with the drugs in their systems, causing a potentially fatal response.
However, some people mix drugs and alcohol intentionally. Although alcohol can decrease the effect a drug has on a person’s body, alcohol and drugs can also work synergistically. Alcohol can greatly increase the effect a drug can have on your body by working with the drug.
Pain killers, such as Vicodin, are some of the most popular drugs to mix with alcohol. Some people take pain killers before a big night out drinking. These drugs can increase the effect of alcohol, making the person feel the effects harder and faster. There are many negative side effects that can occur with this powerful combination. Impaired motor control, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, and memory problems are all negative side effects of combining pain killers and alcohol. However, the most serious side effect is the increased risk of liver damage.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is one of the most common drugs found at candy bowl parties, since it is found in most households. Though damage can occur when using Tylenol correctly, when mixed with alcohol, this drug can cause severe liver damage. You can imagine how extensive the damage is for teens that take too many pills and then ingest alcohol. It is important to ensure teens are well-educated on this topic. Even though they may change their lifestyle when they get older, it may be too late by then.
Anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Valium are sometimes mixed with alcohol for recreational purposes as well. Alcohol, Xanax, and Valium all act as sedatives. When combined together, anti-anxiety pills and alcohol depress the central nervous system, causing exaggerated sedative effects as well as depressing cardiac and respiratory function.
When drinking alcohol, be conscious of the interactions that can occur between the medications you are on and the drink in your hand. Aside from the side effects listed above, death is also a real possibility when mixing drugs and alcohol.
Additional Information:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16311712/
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa27.htm
http://www.rochester.edu/uhs/healthtopics/Alcohol/interactions.html
Sources:
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, 2007
http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/emergency-room-visits-climb-misuse-prescription-and-over-counter-drugs
University of Colorado at Boulder
http://www.colorado.edu/alcohol/students/mixing.html#mixing
Nicole Canfora
http://www.ehow.com/about_4564862_acetaminophen-alcohol.html#
Natinal Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm
I knew it was a bad idea to mix pills with alcohol, but I didn't know how much damage it could really do! You hear about people overdosing and that being a problem, but I guess a pill or two can mess you up too.
ReplyDeleteIt is not just the health and lives of those who make the choice to mix pills and alcohol their that are put in danger put the lives of others as well. The impairment level of these individuals can be extremely high and may come on suddenly. In addition they may suffer from hallucinations, paranoia, unconsciousness, bouts of rage, impaired motor skills just to mention a few of the side effects. All of which could cause serious harm to others.
ReplyDeleteIluv2hunt59
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about how the side effects not only hurt the person but others too. One might think of the person abusing the drug, but forget to consider other people that surround them. An example: if a person is under the influence of drugs and alcohol, it will impair their judgment, cognitive thinking and motor skills. How are they able to drive? In this scenario, people that are presently near the impaired driver are put in danger.
I know most medications that doctors prescribe me say do not drink with alcohol. I know mixing drugs with alcohol is not very bright, but did not know that it causes so much damage to organs. This is good information to have.
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