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  • Home
  • Family
  • Drugs Now
  • Mixing Drugs
    • Effects of Mixing
    • Alcohol
    • Know the Signs
  • Action
  • Support
  • News
logo
  • Home
  • Family
  • Drugs Now
  • Mixing Drugs
    • Effects of Mixing
    • Alcohol
    • Know the Signs
  • Action
  • Support
  • News
  • Home
  • Family
  • Drugs Now
  • Mixing Drugs
    • Effects of Mixing
    • Alcohol
    • Know the Signs
  • Action
  • Support
  • News

Alcohol

Alcohol is such a part of Irish culture we often don’t see it as a drug. But, it is. And most hospital admissions for drug problems involve alcohol.
Alcoholic Cocktail - Cosmopolitan

Here’s what drink does when it’s combined with different drugs:

Cocaine can make you feel more alert if you’re drunk.  And alcohol can reduce feelings of anxiety if you’re coming down from cocaine. But mixing cocaine and alcohol creates a deadly chemical called cocaethylene which causes extreme stress on your heart.

Your heart rate can spike if you mix alcohol and stimulants, leading to immediate and long-term heart complications.  Prescription drugs like Adderall, Ritalin and other stimulants produce effects similar to cocaine when mixed with alcohol. 

Anxiety medications, like xanax or valium (blueys or yellows), have effects like alcohol. Both drugs act on the same neurotransmitters in the brain, giving you a double feeling of intoxication. Mixing alcohol and anxiety medications like these greatly increases the risk of a coma and even death.

Sleeping pills with alcohol increases the sedative effects of the pills. Knowing this, some people may mix alcohol and sleeping pills thinking it will make their medication more “effective.” But sleepwalking injuries, coma and death can be a much more likely than a good night’s rest.

Painkillers like Lyrica (Budweisers) mixed with alcohol will depress your respiratory system and lower your blood pressure. Some painkillers also contain ibuprofen. Mixing alcohol with these painkillers can lead to stomach bleeding and liver damage.  

For great information on different drugs and the effects they have on our bodies and those around us go to www.drugs.ie

Download our Be Smart Be Safe Checklist [PDF 2.4MB]

Just ask

The more information you have the easier it is to have a good conversation in your home. There are lots of organisations with great information on alcohol, drugs, health, children, teenagers, or mental health for example.

See our list of Support resources.

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