The effect of mixing alcohol with other drugs (multiplier effect of alcohol), whether recreational, over-the-counter, or prescription medication could cause potential harm to your body.
Nonetheless, it is no longer news to abuse several drugs at a go just to chase the ‘high’ or even take sleeping pills and other medication with alcohol. People do this often without understanding the danger they put themselves into.
For this reason, this blog will answer a rather common question; what is the multiplier effect of alcohol and look into common risks that are associated with it?
What is the multiplier effect of alcohol?
Also known as the synergistic effect of alcohol, it is the resultant effect of combining alcohol with other substances which is greater (more severe) than the sum of the individual effects of each substance abused.
For instance, one glass of alcohol combined with a street drug can lead to an effect equal to having ingested three glasses of alcohol.
Simply put, the multiplier effect, as the term suggests, is a double reaction to the substances combined. These effects differ depending on the type of drugs consumed and can be fatal.
How long the effects last in your system is also dependent on the type of drugs and other physical factors such as body fat content, quantity ingested, metabolism, genetics, and hydration among others.
Common drugs mixed with alcohol
The abuse of two or more substances is known as polydrug or polysubstance abuse. Below is a list of common drugs abused with alcohol and their synergistic effects:
Stimulants
Stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta are often mixed with alcohol to lessen the depressive effects of alcohol.
This is based on the misconception that stimulants and depressants rule each other out. Therefore, one would hardly know their level of intoxication.
However, the combination increases the lethal effects of both drugs and can lead to impaired judgment and motor coordination, blackouts, and due to the possible risk of overconsumption, a fatal overdose.
Other heart-related effects include high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart attack, increased heart rate, and stroke.
Cocaine
The combination of cocaine and alcohol forms a substance known as cocaethylene in the body. This compound increases pressure and stress on the heart which may lead to cardiac arrest and eventual death.
A study done by a wellness center at Santa Clara University proves that cocaethylene increases the heart rate three to five times more than either of its components would.
Caffeine
Energy drinks contain caffeine which promotes mental and physical stimulation in the body. This way, they manipulate the body to be more energetic and could easily lead to overconsumption when mixed with alcohol.
The combo also predisposes your body to extreme hangovers and alcohol poisoning since too much caffeine dehydrates the body.
Opioids
Although opioids can be used as prescription medication for pain, their abuse trigger drowsiness, impaired breathing, motor control, and even death.
Mixing them with alcohol intensifies these side effects including cardiovascular problems, coma, and potential overdose which can lead to death.
Commonly abused opioids with alcohol include Heroin, Percocet, Vicodin, and Fentanyl.
Marijuana
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, contains a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is responsible for its psychoactive effects.
Alcohol amplifies the concentration of THC in the blood and, therefore, intensifies the marijuana high. Other related side effects from the abuse of marijuana and alcohol include:
- Impaired judgment
- Numbness
- Impaired motor control
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
Ecstasy
Studies from Santa Clara University reveal that Ecstasy causes dehydration. When mixed with alcohol, their individual effects overlap to cause intense dehydration and alter the normal functioning of the kidney.
It also increases the risk of alcohol poisoning and overdose since one is unable to gauge their alcohol intake. The majority of ecstasy and alcohol abusers engage in irrational behavior such as unprotected sex and driving under the influence.
The combo also leads to high blood pressure, panic attacks, fainting, seizures, and potential cardiac arrest.
Meth
Crystal meth, or ice, is a strong stimulant that causes euphoria and is highly addictive. Due to its chemical composition, ecstasy has no medicinal purpose.
When abused with alcohol, they increase blood pressure and put a strain on the heart muscles and hence, birth heart-related condition. The two intensify hangovers and cause severe damage to the kidney when taken frequently.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants, such as bupropion, and the most abused depressant, alcohol, increase user intoxication and can cause intense mood swings. This makes them the worst combination for a patient suffering from depression.
Antibiotics
Although it has not been scientifically proven, alcohol may make antibiotics less effective. Consumption of the two is accompanied by symptoms such as blood pressure fluctuations, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, rapid heartbeat – a condition known as tachycardia, and damage to the liver.
Other prescription medications
Drinking alcohol together with prescription medication, such as flu meds, angina meds, arthritis, cholesterol, and diabetes meds, among others, amplifies the following synergistic effects:
- Tachycardia/ rapid heartbeat
- Arrhythmia/ irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unstable blood pressure
- Headaches
- Skin flushes
- Cardiac problems
- Memory loss
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Mood swings
- Seizures
Besides physical and emotional side effects, the multiplier effect is a major propagator of crimes, such as sexual and physical assaults, when the victim is indisposed.
Why is it harmful to combine alcohol with other drugs?
Besides causing the multiplier effect, the interaction of these chemical compounds increases the risk of further complications for individuals with underlying medical problems.
It can also lead to multiple drug addictions from frequent abuse of different drugs and drug dependency. This makes the treatment process a lot harder than when treating addiction to a single drug.
In the long run, mixing alcohol with other drugs only increases the negative effects of the drugs and pauses a great health hazard rather than only increasing the high. It is advisable to steer clear of such episodes.
However, if you do or suspect someone may have put something in your drink, reach out to a pharmacist for professional advice on how to deal with the situation.