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    • Effects of Mixing
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logo
  • 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

Effects of Mixing

All substances have an effect on our bodies, our nervous systems and our mental health. We should be aware and careful about what we are using.

We don’t even think about it

We often mix drugs without even thinking about it. You might be at a 21st Birthday and drink vodka with Red Bull and not realise that this is actually mixing a depressant (the alcohol) with a stimulant (the Red Bull). You’re slowing your heart rate down with one substance and raising it with another.

Opposite effects

You might have been prescribed a drug for anxiety.  But, if you’re drinking Red Bulls or other stimulant type drinks during the day, or if you’re taking cocaine at the weekend, you are forcing your body to work in overdrive, increasing the pressure and anxiety.

Two of the same type of drugs

Taking two drugs that have the same effect increases the risks of a dangerous reaction. Taking two depressants (like for example, cannabis with alcohol) can slow your body right down; it can even make you unconscious. Two stimulants (like cocaine and nicotine) can put real pressure on your heart or circulation.

The crash

Using a substance like cocaine at the weekends may increase your confidence and your feel-good buzz initially as it increases your brain’s access to dopamine.  However, if you keep using it, it has less impact on your brain. This means that the high reduces and your cravings for dopamine increase, leading to a crash in feelings, and often paranoia and anxiety.

If you take a depressant (like valium) to cope with this crash, you are putting even more stress on your body and your organs including your heart.

Double effects

Some substances have a double effect on the body. Cannabis is a depressant with possible hallucinogenic effects. Ecstasy is a stimulant with hallucinogenic effects.

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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