Key Takeaways:
- Dangerous Combination: Mixing hydrocodone and alcohol amplifies their depressant effects, increasing risks like respiratory depression, impaired judgment, and overdose.
- Overdose Risks: Combined use can lead to life-threatening symptoms such as severe respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and reduced effectiveness of opioid antagonists like naloxone.
- Opioid Abuse Statistics: Alcohol is frequently combined with opioids, complicating addiction and significantly raising overdose risks, with ER visits involving both substances increasing by 84% from 2005 to 2017.
- Treatment Options: Comprehensive addiction treatment, including medical detox and tailored care, is essential for recovery from polysubstance abuse involving hydrocodone and alcohol.
Question:
What happens if you take Hydrocodone and alcohol together?
Answer:
Combining hydrocodone and alcohol is highly dangerous due to their synergistic depressant effects, which can lead to severe respiratory depression, impaired thinking, and even fatal overdose. Hydrocodone, an opioid painkiller, and alcohol both slow the body’s systems, and their combined use magnifies these effects, increasing the risk of unconsciousness and reduced effectiveness of life-saving treatments like naloxone. Statistics reveal a troubling trend, with ER visits involving both substances rising significantly in recent years. For those struggling with polysubstance abuse, professional treatment is critical. South Coast Behavioral Health offers comprehensive care, starting with medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms, followed by residential and outpatient programs tailored to individual needs. These programs provide a structured path to recovery, addressing both addiction and any co-occurring mental health issues. Seeking help promptly can prevent the devastating consequences of hydrocodone and alcohol abuse.
Due to overprescription, opioids like hydrocodone are all too common in the US. This has led to increased cases of people mixing opioids with other drugs. In this article, we’ll go over the consequences of mixing hydrocodone and alcohol.
What is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is an analgesic (painkiller) medication derived from codeine that also functions as a cough suppressant. It’s part of a class of drugs called opioids, which category also includes oxycodone, morphine, and methadone.
Hydrocodone can be found in combination with other non-opioid analgesics, such as acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Vicodin, among others) or ibuprofen.
Due to the ongoing opioid crisis, in 2014, hydrocodone was reclassified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
What Happens if You Mix Hydrocodone and Alcohol?
Hydrocodone drugs like Vicodin or Norco and alcohol are both depressants, meaning they slow down your body’s systems.
Both can cause things like:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Problems concentrating
- Impaired thinking
- Problems with judgment
- Low blood pressure
- Breathing problems
- Fainting
- Coma
However, when taking pain medication and alcohol together, these risks are much greater.
While Hydrocodone is dangerous by itself, taking it with alcohol magnifies the risks of both. They can synergize with each other, making their effects much greater than they would otherwise be.
This means the risk of overdose goes up when you take hydrocodone and drink alcohol together. Even worse, opioid antagonists like naloxone (Narcan) may be less effective in this situation since they only work on opioids.
Facts About Opioid Abuse
Here are some facts about opioid abuse in the United States:
- Four out of five people who use heroin began by misusing prescription pain medications such as Percocet, OxyContin, and Vicodin (hydrocodone)
- Alcohol is commonly used in conjunction with opioids, which can complicate the addiction and increase the risk of overdose.
- Risk of mortality increases greatly with the use of hydrocodone and alcohol. One study found an 84% increase in ER visits from 2005 to 2017, with most involving the use of alcohol and opioids.
- According to a study of over 5,000 participants who had opioid addictions, 4% had been diagnosed alcohol use disorders.
- The economic burden of opioid abuse was estimated at $78.5 billion in 2013. In today’s dollars, that figure would be over $9 billion.
Taking hydrocodone and alcohol together can have serious consequences. If you or a loved one is engaging in polysubstance abuse, especially if it involves these substances, seek help right away.
Get confidential help from our addiction treatment specialists in Oklahoma City. Call to join our rehab program today!
Call 866-881-1184Signs of a Hydrocodone and Alcohol Overdose
A hydrocodone and alcohol overdose can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Here are the signs and symptoms that may indicate an overdose from combining these substances:
Combined Hydrocodone and Alcohol Overdose Signs:
- Severe Respiratory Depression: A combination of opioids and alcohol can lead to a significant decrease in breathing rate and depth, leading to hypoxia (inadequate oxygen reaching the tissues).
- Profound Confusion or Delirium: The individual may experience severe confusion, delirium, or changes in mental state.
- Inability to Wake or Respond: The person may not respond to external stimuli, such as loud noises or pain.
- Choking: If vomiting occurs, there is an increased risk of choking, especially if the person is unconscious or semi-conscious.
- Loss of Consciousness: The person may lose consciousness and be unable to be awakened, which is a medical emergency.
In the event of an overdose from hydrocodone and alcohol, immediate medical assistance is crucial. It’s essential to call emergency services (like 911 in the United States) rather than trying to manage the situation on your own. Overdose is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment can often save lives.
Medical professionals may use medications like naloxone (Narcan) to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid overdose and provide supportive care for alcohol poisoning.
Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? South Coast accepts most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now.
Check Your CoverageAddiction Treatment at South Coast Behavioral Health
Substance abuse is a real problem. If you’re struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help. The risk of alcohol and opioid overdose is real. Loss of consciousness and even death may occur. The first step in treating addiction is a medical detox. This means using drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction can have a serious impact on a person’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life, but recovery is possible with the right support. If you or a loved one is struggling with meth use, seeking professional treatment can provide the structure, guidance, and resources needed to begin the recovery process. South Coast Behavioral Health offers compassionate addiction treatment designed to help individuals address the challenges of meth addiction and work toward lasting recovery.
Choosing a meth rehab program is an important decision, and having the right support can make the process feel more manageable. At South Coast Behavioral Health, treatment focuses on understanding the factors connected to substance use while helping individuals develop healthier coping skills and recovery strategies. Our team works with each person to help identify appropriate treatment options based on their needs and goals.
If you’re looking for meth rehab, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help you take the next step. Our admissions specialists can answer questions about treatment programs, insurance coverage, and what to expect during the admissions process. Contact our team today to learn more about available options and begin exploring a path toward recovery from addiction.
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Alcohol abuse is a serious concern. If you’re mixing a hydrocodone pill with brand names like Vicodin or Norco and alcohol, you’re putting yourself at risk. If you or a loved one are struggling with hydrocodone and alcohol addiction but wonder how long addiction treatment takes or have other questions, call us at 866-881-1184. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, help verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have. Mixing Norco and alcohol is not okay, we can help you overcome abuse of prescription medications and drug use disorder treatment.
