Key points
- If you drink alcohol while using other drugs, the effects may be stronger and more deadly than using either one alone.
- To keep yourself safe and healthy, you should not drink alcohol when using other drugs.
![Binge_Drinking_Opioids_v2_600px Bottles of alcohol and pills crossed out, with text: "Drinking alcohol while using opioids increases the risk of overdose and death."](/alcohol/images/socialmedia/Binge_Drinking_Opioids_v2_600px.png)
Background
It can be dangerous to use two or more drugs at the same time, or within a short time of each other.
Alcohol and other drug use
This includes drinking alcohol and taking other drugs, such as:
- Cannabis (or marijuana)—often used to change mood and perceptions.
- Cannabis is illegal at the federal level and can have health risks regardless of how you use it.
- Some cannabis-based medicines are approved to help treat seizures and nausea in people with certain conditions.
- Cannabis is illegal at the federal level and can have health risks regardless of how you use it.
- Opioids—commonly used to reduce pain.
- Benzodiazepines—help treat sleep problems, seizures, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
- Examples include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), zolpidem (Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta).
- Examples include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), zolpidem (Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta).
- Stimulants (or uppers)—increase your heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
- Some stimulants, like amphetamines, can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Examples of other stimulants include caffeine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy.
- Some stimulants, like amphetamines, can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Psychedelics (or hallucinogens)—change mood, thoughts, and perceptions for some time.
- This includes drugs like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, and ketamine.
- This includes drugs like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, and ketamine.
Over-the-counter or prescribed medicines
Drinking alcohol and taking certain medicines that are over-the-counter or prescribed by a health care provider or pharmacist can cause harm. It could be dangerous if the medicine:
- Has a label saying there could be harmful effects when combined with alcohol.
- Is taken in a different way than prescribed.
- Was not given to you by your health care provider or pharmacist.
Health effects
Using alcohol together with other drugs can increase your risk of:
- Overdose.
- Injury.
- Violence.
- Sex without protection, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections, HIV, or unplanned pregnancy.
- Chronic disease.
- Alcohol or other substance use disorders.A
What can be done
You can avoid the harms that come from mixing alcohol and drugs.
To keep yourself safe and healthy, you should:
- Not drink alcohol when using other drugs.
- Avoid misusing prescription drugs and using illicit drugs.
Learn about other ways to lower rates of excessive alcohol use and alcohol-related injury and overdose.
- This is when a person is not able to control their alcohol or other drug use even though they are facing physical, mental, and social problems.