Mason Delacroix
Opioids and alcohol are both dangerous on their own, but when combined, they can be deadly. Even when opioids are prescribed, mixing them with alcohol is never safe. The two substances have overlapping effects on the body, with alcohol acting as a depressant in the central nervous system and opioids affecting the brain by attaching to opioid receptors. When combined, they increase central nervous system depression, further slowing down brain activity, decreasing breathing, and increasing the risk of overdose. In 2020, deaths caused by opioid overdose and alcohol consumption reached 41%. The risks of misusing opioids and alcohol are dangerous and can lead to severe side effects and even death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | It is never safe to mix opioids and alcohol |
| Overlapping effects | Both substances increase central nervous system depression, further slowing down brain activity, decreasing breathing, and increasing the risk of overdose |
| Treatment | Detoxification, withdrawal management, psychological treatment, pharmacological treatment, and monitoring |
| Prevalence of polysubstance use | In previous years, 90% of people with an opioid use disorder used more than 2 other substances within the year |
| Increased overdose fatalities | In 2020, deaths caused by opioid overdose and alcohol consumption reached 41% |
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What You'll Learn
- There is no safe level of alcohol consumption while taking opioids
- Opioids and alcohol have overlapping effects on the body
- Opioids and alcohol can both cause overdose, and the risk increases when they are combined
- Polysubstance use is common, but never safe
- Treatment for opioid and alcohol misuse includes withdrawal management, psychological treatment, and pharmacological treatment
There is no safe level of alcohol consumption while taking opioids
Opioids are a class of medications used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. They are poppy-derived substances that sometimes serve as the chemical precursors for manufacturing various other opioid drugs. The term "opioids" is often used more generally and may refer to all substances within the drug class, including natural and synthetic drugs. Prescription opioids include oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Opioids can have side effects such as euphoria, drowsiness, confusion, nausea, and constipation. When used in high doses or mixed with other substances, opioids can slow breathing and lead to death.
Alcohol, on the other hand, is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestines into the blood. Ingesting large amounts of alcohol can lead to excess alcohol circulating throughout the body, resulting in further depressant effects. When combined with opioids, alcohol increases central nervous system depression, further slowing down brain activity, decreasing breathing, and increasing the risk of overdose. The risk of side effects increases with higher alcohol intake, and combining alcohol with opioids can lead to a dramatic increase in overdose fatalities. According to the CDC, the simultaneous use of opioids and alcohol carries a serious risk, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Boxed Warning, the strongest safety warning, regarding this combination.
The dangers of mixing opioids and alcohol are well-established, and there is no safe level of alcohol consumption while taking opioids. This is true even when the opioids are prescribed, as both substances have overlapping effects on the body. The intentional or unintentional use of more than one substance within a short period is referred to as polysubstance use, which is never safe. Individuals with opioid use disorder are also at risk of alcohol use disorder, and polysubstance use can lead to a dangerous cycle of misuse and dependence on multiple substances.
If an individual is taking opioids and wishes to consume alcohol, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional or prescriber first. They may recommend waiting several days after finishing the opioid medication before consuming alcohol to ensure that there are no opioids left in the body. In some cases, they may suggest alternative treatments or provide guidance on managing the concurrent use of these substances. It is important to remember that the combination of opioids and alcohol is risky, and seeking professional advice is essential to ensure safety.
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Opioids and alcohol have overlapping effects on the body
Alcohol, on the other hand, spreads through the body via the bloodstream and quickly reaches the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. It takes, on average, one hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol. Alcohol can dull parts of the brain that control bodily functions, influencing decision-making, mood, coordination, speech, and vision. When combined, opioids and alcohol can have a synergistic effect, with the impact of each substance being stronger together than when taken separately. This can lead to severe and dangerous consequences, including respiratory depression, coma, and overdose.
A 2017 study found that taking even one tablet of the opioid oxycodone with a modest amount of alcohol significantly increased the risk of respiratory depression, causing extremely shallow breathing or even stopping breathing altogether. This effect was more pronounced in elderly participants. The combination of alcohol and opioids can also lead to a dangerous slowdown in brain activity and heart rate, further increasing the risk of overdose.
Due to these overlapping and exacerbating effects, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption while taking opioids. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a strong warning about the serious risks of combining opioids and alcohol. If you are taking opioids, it is essential to avoid alcohol consumption and consult with your prescriber for guidance.
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Opioids and alcohol can both cause overdose, and the risk increases when they are combined
Opioids and alcohol are both dangerous when used individually and can indeed cause overdose on their own. However, the risk of overdose increases dramatically when the two substances are combined. According to the CDC, over half of the 4.2 million Americans who misuse prescription opioids also engage in binge drinking, highlighting the clear and significant risk of mixing these substances.
Alcohol acts as a depressant in the central nervous system and is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestines into the bloodstream. Large amounts of alcohol can lead to excess alcohol circulating throughout the body, resulting in further depressant effects. Similarly, opioids bind to specific areas of nerve cells called opioid receptors, affecting the central nervous system. When used together, opioids and alcohol have overlapping effects on the body, and their interaction can produce significant respiratory depression, contributing to the risk of overdose.
The co-use of opioids and alcohol is associated with worse treatment outcomes for either substance. Research suggests that alcohol use may interfere with opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, particularly medication-assisted treatment. Furthermore, chronic pain often co-occurs with the use and co-use of alcohol and opioids, further complicating treatment.
The dangers of combining alcohol and opioids are evident in the increased overdose fatalities. In 2020, deaths caused by opioid overdose and alcohol consumption reached 41%. Additionally, a study found that approximately 15% of people who died of opioid-related causes in 2017 were also drinking alcohol. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid consuming alcohol while taking opioids and to seek professional advice if abstaining from alcohol is not possible.
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Polysubstance use is common, but never safe
Opioids are a class of medications used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. They are known to have side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea and constipation. When used in high doses or in combination with other substances, opioids can slow breathing and even lead to death.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestines. When consumed in large quantities, it can lead to further depressive effects.
The concurrent use of opioids and alcohol can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. Both substances have overlapping effects on the body, and when combined, they increase central nervous system depression, further slowing down brain activity, decreasing breathing, and significantly increasing the risk of overdose. In 2020, deaths caused by opioid overdose and alcohol consumption reached 41%.
Polysubstance use, which refers to the intentional or unintentional use of more than one substance within a short period, is a common but unsafe practice. Individuals with opioid use disorder often have a high prevalence of polysubstance use, with 90% of them using more than two other substances in a year and 25% having at least two other substance use disorders. This type of substance use is never safe, as it can lead to enhanced or modified effects of the individual substances, increased risk of adverse effects, and a higher likelihood of misuse or overdose.
If an individual is taking opioids, even if they are prescribed, no amount of alcohol is considered safe to drink. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional or prescriber before consuming alcohol while on opioids or after finishing an opioid prescription. Treatment for polysubstance use often involves withdrawal management, psychological treatment, pharmacological intervention, and monitoring by a variety of healthcare providers.
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Treatment for opioid and alcohol misuse includes withdrawal management, psychological treatment, and pharmacological treatment
Opioids and alcohol are both dangerous on their own, and the research is clear that combining the two is risky. Treatment for opioid and alcohol misuse includes withdrawal management, psychological treatment, and pharmacological treatment.
Withdrawal management (WM) is the medical and psychological care of patients who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms as a result of ceasing or reducing their use of the drug they are dependent on. WM is an important first step before a patient commences psychosocial treatment, as it is very common for people who complete WM to relapse to drug use. Opioid withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and difficult for the patient, like a bad flu, but it is not usually life-threatening. However, alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening in rare cases and requires careful monitoring.
Psychological treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) focuses on providing patients with skills to reduce the risk of relapse.
Pharmacological treatments for OUD include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, each of which has different actions on opioid receptors. Buprenorphine alleviates withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings. It should be administered at least eight hours after the patient last used heroin. Naltrexone has also been shown to be effective in relapse prevention.
SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Mixing opiates and alcohol increases central nervous system depression, further slowing down brain activity, decreasing breathing, and increasing the risk of overdose.
No, it is never safe to mix opiates and alcohol. The dangers of combining these two substances include a dramatic increase in overdose fatalities.
The side effects of mixing opiates and alcohol can include low body temperature, confusion, and seizures.
No amount of alcohol is considered safe to drink while taking opiates.
If you want to resume drinking alcohol after finishing your opiate prescription, talk to your prescriber first. They can help you decide if it’s safe.
