What Happens When You Mix Oxycodone And Alcohol?

Combining oxycodone and alcohol can increase the risks of potential side effects and can even cause death. Both these substances slow down the central nervous system (CNS), as a result as which may result in overdose, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest. Read on this blog to know more about the dangers of combining oxycodone and alcohol. 

Oxycodone carries an abuse potential. ChoicePoint drug and alcohol rehab in NJ can help you quit prescription medication dependence and manage your alcohol use. Call 844.445.2565 to start your recovery with us today!

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Highlights

• Oxycodone is a prescription opioid used to treat severe pain. Alcohol is also a CNS depressant. Combining these slows down he brain and intensifies the side effects.
• Their interaction causes respiratory depression, overdose, nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, and death.
• Aged people, individuals with substance use history, individuals who overdose on oxycodone, individuals with mental health issues, and dehydrated people.
• If you feel sick after mixing oxycodone and alcohol, contact ChoicePoint for Alcohol and Drug addiction Treatment. 
• Take our Addiction Treatment Evaluation Quiz to find out if you are suffering from addiction. It will only take you 5 minutes.

Can You Drink On Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a synthetic opioid antagonist that is prescribed in medical or dental procedures or to treat short-term pain. It is classified as a Schedule II drug by the DEA and carries a significant risk of abuse.¹ You can not mix oxycodone and alcohol because both substances are depressants and slow down your central nervous system (CNS). Their combination interacts with each other’s effects, leading to severe health consequences and may cause death. 

What Happens When You Mix Oxycodone And Alcohol?

Combining oxycodone and alcohol has both short-term and long-term side effects. In severe cases, this interaction can lead to death. Short-term side effects occur when you take a low dose of oxycodone with one or more drinks. At the same time, mixing high doses of oxycodone repeatedly with alcohol can cause chronic side effects. Here is the breakdown of these side effects:

If you experience these side effects, get help from our DEA-certified professionals at ChoicePoint. Call 844.445.2565.

5 Potential Dangers Of Mixing Oxycodone And Alcohol

1. High Risk Of Overdose

Oxycodone and alcohol interaction amplifies the effects of oxycodone. This can increase the risk of opioid overdose and make the person drowsy. In cases of overdose, you can get help from a medically supervised opioid detox program that will assist you in overcoming opioid addiction in a safe environment ²   

2. Respiratory Depression

Both alcohol and oxycodone slow down the central nervous system (CNS), and when these two are combined, the signals that tell your body to breathe fail to deliver their message, causing respiratory depression.³

3. Cardiac Arrest

Oxycodone and alcohol interaction can cause a cardiac arrest. They act on the autonomic nervous system. These two cause vasodilation, which means they relax the vessels, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure. A significant drop in blood pressure causes cardiac arrest. 

4. Impaired Judgement

Alcohol and oxycodone interaction affects the brain in a way that it impacts the decision-making ability of the brain, which can cause risky behavior such as driving under the influence and accidents. 

5. Unconsciousness Leading To Death

Mixing oxycoosne and alcohol causes respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, and impaired judgment, all of which may lead to a lack of consciousness and ultimately cause death. 

How is Oxycodone Eliminated from the Body?

Who Is More Likely To Experience Side Effects Of Oxycodone And Alcohol Interaction?

You need to have full information about who is at risk for dangerous interactions between oxycodone and alcohol. Here is the breakdown:

1. Aged People

As you age, your body systems slow down, including metabolism. Slower metabolism means that both alcohol and oxycodone will stay in your body for a longer duration. This means their interaction will cause more side effects in elderly people.  Moreover, older adults will face higher risks of falling, accidents, and respiratory issues. 

2. Individuals With A History Of Substance Use Disorder

Individuals with a history of substance use disorder have relatively less tolerance. That’s why they are at a higher risk of overdose and relapse. They may combine substances such as oxycodone and alcohol to get a higher euphoria, making them susceptible to complications. 

3. People On High Doses Of Oxycodone

Jessica Plonchak (Executive Clinical Director) explains that higher doses of oxycodone make you prone to the dangers of alcohol interaction. Even a small amount of alcohol on oxycodone can cause sedation, unconsciousness, and respiratory issues.

4. Individuals With Kidney And Liver Issues

The liver and kidneys are involved in the metabolism of alcohol and oxycodone. Individuals who have liver and kidney issues face a buildup of these substances in the body, causing overdosing and toxicity.  

5. Dehydrated Or Malnourished Individuals

Dehydration and a poor diet reduce the body’s immunity against foreign substances. The body also becomes weak and loses its ability to process oxycodone and alcohol. As a result, their side effects intensify, including drowsiness, low blood pressure, and lack of consciousness. 

6. People With Mental Health Issues

People who have mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, are at risk of poor decision-making regarding substance use and end up self-medicating with alcohol and oxycodone. Such individuals may face overdose issues. 

7. Patients Who Combine Medications

Some people may combine other drugs (Valium, Sleeping medications)  with alcohol and oxycodone. These drugs slow down the CNS. 

5 Tips To Follow If You Accidentally Mix Oxycodone And Alcohol? 

If you are taking oxycodone and accidentally consume alcohol, here is what you need to do to minimize the risks:

1. Stop Alcohol Consumption

If you are taking oxycodone and accidentally consume alcohol, you should immediately stop alcohol consumption because their interaction can lead to overdose and dangerous side effects. Quitting alcohol cold turkey is not recommended. To flush alcohol out of your system faster, one should go for medically supervised rapid alcohol detox.

2. Assess Overdose Symptoms

If you have accidentally mixed alcohol and oxycodone, assess your side effects and monitor the signs of overdose. You may experience immediate, dangerous side effects such as slurred speech, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, nausea, or vomiting. 

3. Do Not Sleep

If your symptoms are mild, stay at home and try to stay awake. Keep a companion with you who does not allow you to sleep. 

4. Administer Naloxone

If you or a loved one becomes unconscious, take Naloxone, which can temporarily treat opioid overdose effects caused by oxycodone. ChoicePoint offers Naloxone in NJ, or you can get it from the pharmacies. 

5. Seek Medical Help

You may not experience major side effects immediately, still you should contact your doctor and tell him about the oxycodone and alcohol mix-up you did and discuss your situation. Only he can give you the best advice about the treatment. 

How To Avoid Oxycodone And Alcohol Interaction?

You can avoid oxycodone and alcohol interaction:

• Stop drinking alcohol during the initial phase of your treatment.
• Always read the prescription for medications. You will see the warning about alcohol use with the medication. 

Find Out About Your Addiction In Less Than 5 Minutes

Take our Addiction Treatment Evaluation Quiz to find out if you are suffering from addiction. It will only take you 5 minutes. So hurry up!

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Minimize Oxycodone And Alcohol Interaction Risks With ChoicePoint Drug and Alcohol Rehab In NJ

If you want to live a sober life, detoxification is the first step. But you can not detox from oxycodone and alcohol on your own. It can be dangerous. You can get a safe alcohol and opioid detox at ChoicePoint. We offer the following treatments:

1. Medical Alcohol and Drug Detox

During this phase, patients are given medical and psychological help to deal with withdrawal symptoms. Our professional staff provides the best possible support and care to the patients. Patients are prescribed the following medications for alcohol detox:

• Naltrexone
• Disulfiram
• Acamprosate

The following medications are prescribed for opioid detox:

• Suboxone
• Naltrexone
• Buprenorphine
• Subutex

To make treatment easier for the patients, we provide an online prescription program. Call 844.445.2565 to get information about online prescriptions. 

2. Dual Diagnoses

Substance abuse often is the cause of mental issues. Stress or trauma causes mental health issues such as anxiety, mood swings, and aggression. Dual diagnosis helps to treat both oxycodone and alcohol addiction, along with mental health issues. 

3. Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies or psychotherapy are helpful for polysubstance addiction treatment as they help prevent relapse, manage cravings, and identify the root cause of addiction. The following therapies are used:

• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Group therapies
• Individual therapies

4. Outpatient Alcohol And Drug Treatment 

Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Detox in NJ is specially designed keeping your convenience in mind. You can get the treatment from the comfort of your home by making frequent visits to the facility. 

5. Aftercare

Aftercare is an important step of addiction treatment when you are looking for long-term recovery. Our aftercare program begins when you are done with your initial treatment. It helps in long-lasting recovery, preventing relapse, and controlling triggers. 

If you want to share the same experience, you can easily get admitted to ChoicePoint Fairlawn rehab in NJ. You can also get an online consultation by simply calling us at 844.445.2565 or by scheduling an online appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oxycodone And Alcohol?

We have answered some frequently asked questions about oxycodone and alcohol use. Read on, they may help to answer your queries: 

1. Can you die from taking oxycodone and a single drink?

Yes. Taking oxycodone followed by a drink can be fatal. It can cause respiratory depression, especially if you have consumed high doses of both substances. 

2. Is oxycodone stronger than hydrocodone?

Oxycodone is much stronger than hydrocodone. Their strengths can be judged by the fact that a high dose of hydrocodone has similar effects to the low dose of oxycodone. Oxycodone also comes with a higher risk of overdose. 

3. Can you mix oxycodone 5 mg and alcohol? 

No, you can not mix 5 mg of oxycodone with alcohol. Even at low concentrations, their interaction can be dangerous and can lead to death. It can cause drowsiness, brain fog, and a slow heart rate, or it can stop breathing. 

Sources

1. DEA. (n.d). Drug scheduling. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
2. Zacny JP, Drum M. Psychopharmacological effects of oxycodone in healthy volunteers: roles of alcohol-drinking status and sex. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2010 Mar 1;107(2-3):209-14.
3. van der Schrier R, Roozekrans M, Olofsen E, Aarts L, van Velzen M, de Jong M, Dahan A, Niesters M. Influence of ethanol on oxycodone-induced respiratory depression. Anesthesiology. 2017 Mar 1;126(3):534-42.