Many men and women struggling with addiction use more than one substance, and often combine different substances to achieve a stronger high. Many users are unaware of the interactions that can be caused by mixing two or more different substances. Cocaine and alcohol are two substances that, when combined, can be extremely dangerous and potentially lethal. Mixing cocaine and alcohol does not give one the combined effects of each drug. Rather, it creates a third, highly toxic substance known as cocathylene. Drink Aware explains, “A common but particularly dangerous partnership, alcohol and cocaine together increase the risk of heart attacks and fits and even sudden death. The two drugs interact to produce a highly toxic substance in your liver called cocaethylene. It can increase the depressive effects of alcohol, making your reaction to the cocaine stronger. You’re also more likely to be aggressive with cocaethylene in your system. Cocaethylene takes longer to get out of your system than either the alcohol or the cocaine, subjecting your heart and liver to a longer period of stress. Mixing alcohol and cocaine can be fatal up to 12 hours after you’ve taken it.” The prolonged effects of the combination make it increasingly attractive for users, but it can quickly lead to major health consequences. Cocathylene may be responsible for an increase in substance-related deaths. Jamie Doward, in an article entitled Warning of Extra Heart Dangers from Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol for The Observer, explains, “There is a growing suspicion that the drug may be at least partially responsible for the perceived increase in the number of people in their 30s suffering heart problems. According to US Drug Abuse Warning System, ‘cocaine/ethanol abuse is a major cause of emergency medical admissions’ and ‘the cause of increases in cocaine-related mortality’. Steven Cox, deputy head of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, said around 12 fit young people are recorded as dying each week in the UK from a cardiac-related illness, compared with about four a week in 1995.” Everyone, but especially those with heart problems, can face major health consequences or death from the production of cocaethylene in the body as a result of combining cocaine and alcohol.
Your story can become one of health and happiness in sobriety. You can embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery by making the decision to seek help now. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals dedicated to helping clients live a full and active life, free from drugs and alcohol. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
