Dangers of Mixing Oxycodone and Alcohol

There are many dangers that are involved with oxycodone abuse and alcohol abuse. These two substances by themselves can cause severe havoc if they are consumed carelessly. When consumed together, they can end life altogether. The National Institute of Health, claims that there is epidemiological data signifying that medical/nonmedical use of prescription opioids oftentimes involves concurrent use of other substances.

“One group of researchers examined prevalence of concurrent use of prescription opioids in combination with alcohol or drugs in two separate studies. In the first study, undergraduates at a large public midwestern university in the US were asked to participate in a Web survey on drug use. Of those who reported nonmedical use of prescription opioids within the previous year, 52% of them reported using alcohol at the same time.” According to NIDA.

It is very dangerous to mix opiates such as oxycodone with alcoholic drinks.

Substances that were most commonly consumed together with prescription opioids included:

• Marijuana
• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Tranquilizers
• Amphetamines

The risk of experiencing serious, life-threatening side effects increases dramatically when drinking alcohol, using street drugs, or taking prescription/nonprescription medications that may contain alcohol, during your treatment with oxycodone. These actions can lead to overdose and death very easily. Side effects and symptoms associated with these substances are compounded when taken in conjunction with each other.

Often times, abusers do not consider the negative effects associated with the drugs they use. The side effects of any and all substances and how they react to each other should always be a consideration before consumption occurs. If you have questions concerning the use of alcohol or any other medications while under a prescribed oxycodone regimen, contact your physician.

Side effects of oxycodone include:

• Breathing irregularity or respiratory depression
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Heart failure
• Increased pressure of cerebral and spinal fluid
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Overdose death due to cardiac arrest or slowed breathing
• Seizures

Effects of drinking alcohol include:

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Coma
• Confusion
• Death from respiratory arrest
• Dehydration
• Poor motor coordination
• Heavy sweating
• Memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness
• Slowed breathing rate
• Slowed heart rate, reduced blood pressure
• Slowed reaction times and reflexes
• Slurred speech

Considering these lists and the appearance of similar/same symptoms on both lists, proves to be very scary for the individual who is cavalier enough with their life to ingest alcohol and oxycodone simultaneously. In the long run, the desired effects will be heavily outweighed by the negative effects that such combinations promise. Individuals that find themselves in a position where they are even considering this behavior to be a valid choice, should seriously contemplate why and how this will impact their life. Help for addiction is often just a few mouse clicks away these days.