The Effects of Mixing Painkillers and Alcohol Nigeria

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Anyone who has taken any form of medication or watches television
has seen the warning regarding mixing certain types of medications
with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with painkillers can be a deadly
combination.1 This article will discuss the general effects of
mixing alcohol with painkillers and briefly outline a treatment
plan to address abuse or addiction to both.

Side Effects of Taking Painkillers with Alcohol
There are many different types of analgesics or painkillers on the
market. The general rule of thumb is not to drink alcohol if you
are taking certain types of painkillers and over-the-counter (OTC)
analgesics, including:

Opioid painkillers that can only be acquired via a physician’s
prescription.
OTC analgesic medications containing acetaminophen.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications if you’re at risk of
gastric or peptic ulceration, or otherwise experiencing
gastrointestinal irritation.
In order to determine how to safely use the drug and what other
drugs are safe to take with it, you should:

Only take the medication in the suggested dosage and over the
successive time intervals listed on the instructions.
Do not drink moderate to large amounts of alcohol even if there is
no warning about mixing alcohol and the medication that one is
taking (moderate to heavy drinking is considered to be 4 to 5
drinks a day).
Always refer to the patient information insert that comes with
medication for information regarding what types of drugs can and
cannot be taken with the analgesic.
You can always contact your physician or your pharmacist if you
have further questions. It never hurts to ask.
The side effects of taking prescription painkillers and alcohol
together include:2,3

Potential for synergistic effects.
Painkillers have the effect of depressing central nervous system
functions. Alcohol has the same effect. Using both alcohol and
painkillers together results in a more severe depressive effect
than either taken separately.
Increased potential for overdose.
When you drink alcohol, the amount of a particular painkiller
needed to produce an overdose can be significantly decreased.
Increased sedation. This can result in issues with judgment.
Aggression.
Increased potential for developing:
Brain damage.
Damage to the cardiovascular system.
Damage to the liver.
Damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
Damage to the respiratory system as a result of multiple drug
use.
Physical effects, such as:
Dizziness.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Alterations in your heartbeat.
Depressed respiration.
Unconsciousness.
Psychological effects, such as:
Depression.
Anxiety.
Development of psychosis (hallucinations and delusions).
An increased potential to develop physical dependence or
addiction.

Treatment for Addiction to Painkillers and Alcohol

Painkillers that are potentially highly addictive typically have
to be purchased with a prescription. Individuals who become
addicted to narcotic pain medications and alcohol run
the risk of developing a serious physical dependence
to both drugs. This can complicate treatment.

Depending on the level of physical dependence that has been
developed to alcohol and to any narcotic medication, there are
several steps involved in the treatment of addiction to painkillers
and alcohol. These steps include:⁴

• A comprehensive assessment of the
  individual’s substance use history, personal history, psychological
  history and medical history.

The assessment also should include an assessment of the
individual’s support system, obligations and any legal
entanglements.

• A medical detox program if physical
  dependence is found to be present.

This will typically include medically supervised administration of
medication to assist an individual in negotiating through the
detoxification process and withdrawal period.

• Long-term maintenance, therapy, and support following
  detox.

Many individuals are under the mistaken impression that their
treatment is over after the detoxification process is complete and
they are free of their addiction. Nothing could be further from the
truth. The detox process is simply the first step in recovery.
Individuals will also require:

• Substance abuse counseling or therapy.
• Participation in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous
  and Narcotics Anonymous.
• Case management and long-term aftercare services to help the
  person remain sober.

If you’re concerned that the co-abuse of alcohol and
painkillers is impacting your health, or that of someone close to
you, substance abuse treatment programs can help. Call us to speak
with a treatment support advisor about your recovery
options.

Sources

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
   (2014). Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with
   Medicines^[1].
2. Ingersoll, R. E., & Rak, C. (2015). Psychopharmacology
   for Mental Health Professionals: An Integrative Approach.
   Stamford, CT: Nelson Education.
3. Doweiko, H. (2011). Concepts of Chemical
   Dependency. (8th Ed.) Stamford, CT: Nelson Education.
4. Miller, W. R., Forcehimes, A. A., & Zweben, A.
   (2011). Treating Addiction: A Guide for
   Professionals. New York: The Guilford Press.

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