Risks, effects, and additional information associated with using alcohol and opioids.
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A new study has highlighted the dangers of mixing alcohol and opioids, a practice that can lead to serious health complications. Here's what you need to know.
When opioids and alcohol are taken together, they produce a synergy that greatly increases risks such as respiratory depression, which can be fatal, and causes amplified sedation, cognitive impairment, and elevated liver damage over time.
The central nervous system depression from opioids and alcohol combined can cause dangerously slow or stopped breathing, a major cause of overdose deaths when these substances are used together. Additionally, both substances strain the liver, often leading to liver failure or long-term liver disease.
Alcohol also masks warning signs of opioid overdose, complicating timely medical intervention. Cognitive and motor impairments are compounded, increasing risks of accidents and injuries.
Treatment for combined opioid and alcohol addiction involves a comprehensive, multimodal approach. Integrated substance use disorder treatment programs address both addictions simultaneously through medically supervised detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, counseling and behavioral therapies, peer support groups, and ongoing medical monitoring for liver function and respiratory health.
Because the combination potentiates overdose risk, overdose prevention education and ready availability of naloxone (an opioid overdose antidote) are critical parts of treatment and harm reduction. Treatment is often more complex due to the interaction of symptoms and health effects caused by the dual addiction, requiring coordinated care from addiction specialists, primary care, and mental health providers.
It's important to note that chronic use of both substances heightens the chance of developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction, and worsens overall organ damage, especially to the liver and brain.
Up to 90% of people who drink heavily will develop a type of liver disease known as fatty liver. Opioids, such as oxycodone, are prescribed for pain relief and can control pain for up to 12 hours.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Organisations such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous provide resources and support.
In emergency situations, such as a seizure, collapse, or difficulty breathing, emergency services should be called immediately.
Remember, combining alcohol and opioids can have serious and potentially fatal consequences. If you're considering using these substances, it's crucial to understand the risks and seek help if needed. Your health and wellbeing are worth prioritising.
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Alcohol and Opioids. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/alcohol-opioids [2] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Liver. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body [3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Opioid Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/opioid-response/prevention/opioid-overdose [4] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment [5] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-problems-finding-and-getting-help
- The study underlines the critical role science plays in understanding the detrimental relationship between alcohol, opioids, health-and-wellness, and mental-health, as it emphasizes the serious health consequences, including liver damage and mental impairment, caused by their combined use.
- In treating addiction to both alcohol and opioids, the importance of a multidimensional approach, incorporating counseling, medication, peer support groups, and ongoing medical monitoring, is underscored in the science of health-and-wellness, particularly in addressing mental-health issues that may arise from substance abuse.
