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Concurrent Alcohol and Opiate Abuse

man mixing alcohol with pills

Prescription opiates are effective in the treatment of pain, but they have the potential to be addictive and, in fact, many people are struggling with opiate painkiller addictions. According to the National Institutes of Health, opioids account for the biggest portion of the country’s prescription drug abuse problem.

When you combine these substances with alcohol, you increase their effects, along with the risk of harm and overdose. Alcohol should not be consumed when taking opiates, but combining these drugs is all too common among users.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol With Opiates

When you use opiates while drinking alcohol, you deal with a variety of things, from the health effects of doing so to the inability to control your use. These are signs of substance abuse. Here are some common signs and symptoms of opiate and alcohol abuse:

  • You begin drinking every time you take opiates, to the point where you refuse to do one without the other.
  • You increase the dose of your opiate medication with your doctor due to a higher tolerance to the drug.
  • You are taking the medication in a manner different to that which is suggested, such as by chewing, injecting or snorting it.
  • You no longer have a prescription for opiates, but you continue getting them through other means, while taking them with alcohol.
  • You begin associating pleasurable sensations with opiate and alcohol use.
  • You know the risks of opiate and alcohol abuse but use them anyway.

Combined Effects and Dangers

There are short-term and long-term effects that can be felt when you take opiates and drink alcohol at the same time. If you have a concurrent alcohol and opiate misuse problem, you might experience short-term effects like:

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  • An immediate rushing sensation of emotions.
  • Euphoria and drowsiness.
  • Mental confusion and physical effects like nausea or vomiting.
  • Poor memory and concentration.
  • Numbness.
  • Apathy.
  • Anxiety.
  • Slow movement.
  • Slow rate of breathing.

Long-term effects of taking these two substances include:

  • Chronic constipation.
  • Irritability and mood swings.
  • Needing to increase your usage over time due to tolerance.
  • Coma.
  • Permanent brain damage.

Find out how to help an opiate addict when you call our helpline free at .


Treatment for Co-Occurring Alcohol and Opiate Addiction

If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol and opiates, it is important to get treatment for both issues. Someone consistently abusing both substances needs treatment for a co-occurring or dual diagnosis addiction.

There are rehab centers that offer excellent programs to help you recover from your addictions, beginning with the drug or alcohol withdrawal period. This can be the hardest part of treatment, but it is one of the most important parts. If you can get through your withdrawal symptoms, you have a very good chance of success in the rest of your recovery.

Addiction treatment programs for alcohol and opiate addiction include inpatient and outpatient therapy, though for this type of addiction, inpatient might be best. This means staying in a residential treatment facility where you have around-the-clock care, supervision during the withdrawal period and plenty of support for your addiction.


Statistics on Alcohol and Opiate Use

According to recent statistics, 16.6 million adults in the US had an alcohol use disorder in 2013 and almost 88,000 people die every year from causes involving alcohol use and abuse.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s 2016 Facts & Figures shows that nearly 2 million people in the nation are suffering from an addiction to prescription painkillers. The study also reports that 4 of 5 new heroin users first abused prescription opiates.


Teen Drinking and Opiate Abuse

Teen drinking and opiate abuse has also increased over the years. Opiate addiction in particular is becoming a problem for teens, who are using all types of prescription drugs.

Approximately 10% of teenagers in the United States admit to using Vicodin, one of the most common types of opiates, without having a prescription (DEA, 2012). This doesn’t even touch on the use of other opiates, including:


Resources, Articles and More Information

If you are looking for more articles and information on the subject of alcohol and opiate abuse, see the following pages:

Call us for free at if you are ready to live a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle and are looking for information on rehab centers for your addictions to opiates and alcohol.

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