Anyone who has ever been prescribed a pain pill has gotten a warning from their doctor or pharmacist, or read it on the label: do not mix with alcohol. While some may choose to ignore this warning, it is always given for a reason. Mixing pain pills and alcohol can not only lead to drowsiness and impairment, but it can also lead to serious health complications including death. While both substances may share similar effects, combining the two amplifies these effects to unpredictable and even dangerous levels.
In this blog, we will take a deeper look at why it’s so dangerous to mix alcohol and pain pills, how mixing the two can greatly increase the risk of addiction, and what you or a loved one can do in order to get treatment for pain pills and alcohol abuse.
Why Mixing Pain Pills and Alcohol Is Dangerous
As we touched on in the intro, both pain pills and alcohol share similar effects. This is because both substances significantly impact the body’s central nervous system (CNS). When combined, it can cause the CNS to go into a state of shock, resulting in the potential for slowed breathing, impaired coordination, and even loss of consciousness.
Beyond just these immediate dangers, mixing prescription pain pills and alcohol can also have severe long-term health consequences including liver damage, an increased risk of dependency and addiction, and can even cause mental health decline which could lead to the development of a mental health disorder as well.
How Pain Pills and Alcohol Affect the Body
The main reason why when mixed together it can be so dangerous is because both substances are classified as depressants, albeit with different chemical reactions to the body. Pain pills, particularly opioids, work by binding to receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain while creating a sense of euphoria. Alcohol, on the other hand, slows down brain function and impacts decision-making, motor skills, and reaction times.
When mixed, however, the combined depressive effects can overwhelm or shock the central nervous system as we mentioned above, leading to dangerous and even potentially deadly side effects.
Common Types of Pain Medications and Their Risks
When it comes to pain medication, they tend to fall into three distinct categories all with different uses, compositions, and also risks. These categories are:
- Opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc) – High risk of respiratory depression and addiction.
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc) – Increased risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers when combined with alcohol.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Significant risk of liver damage, especially when mixed with alcohol.
As you can see, pain medications that are typically sold over the counter (i.e. Tylenol, Aspirin, etc), tend to have less severe effects when mixed with alcohol compared to prescription pain medication. That being said, even mixing over-the-counter pain pills with alcohol still comes with risks and should be avoided.
The Impact of Alcohol on Pain Medication
If the health risks associated with mixing alcohol and pain pills weren’t enough, mixing the two can also negatively impact the effectiveness of the pain pill for its intended use.
When mixed, alcohol can alter how the pain medication is metabolized by the body. While it may enhance the sedative effects of the medication, it may also block the medication from being able to perform its intended task (ie block pain).
Mixing alcohol and pain pills regularly can also lead to a perceived built-up tolerance of the medication, prompting the user to take higher, more dangerous doses to reach their desired effect, thus increasing the risk of an overdose as well.
Increased Risk of Respiratory Depression
We touched on it briefly already, but one of the more severe risks of mixing alcohol and pain pills is the effect it has on the respiratory system.
Opioids, in particular, can slow breathing on their own. When mixing alcohol in, it can intensify respiratory depression, causing the body to not get enough oxygen. When this happens, if not addressed immediately, it can lead to brain damage, organ failure, and even death.
How Mixing Alcohol and Pain Pills Affects the Liver
Then there’s the liver.
On its own, the liver plays a vital role in metabolizing both alcohol and pain medication. However, combining the two can put a significant strain on the liver often resulting in some of either the alcohol or the pain medication going unmetabolized. This can greatly increase the risk of acute liver failure.
Heightened Risk of Overdose
We’ve mentioned it a few times now, but this can’t be overstated. Mixing alcohol with prescription pain medication significantly increases the risk of a deadly overdose.
This can happen for a number of reasons.
First off, mixing the two can lead to a misjudging of dosages. This may happen due to already being under the influence of alcohol, or, as we talked about earlier, the alcohol masking the effects of the pain pill, thus leading to the need to take more.
Then there’s also the matter of increased tolerance. Regularly drinking alcohol while taking pain pills can lead to an increased tolerance of both substances. This, in turn, can lead to having to take more of the pain pills than prescribed, also increasing the risk of an overdose.
If you or someone you know is currently taking prescription pain medication, it is important to know what to look for that may indicate a possible overdose. Some of the common signs of an overdose include:
- Vomiting
- Choking sounds
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slowed or irregular heart rate or pulse
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Shallow or irregular breathing
- Bluish skin, lips, or fingernails
Should you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, it is imperative to call 911 right away. Failure to do so could result in the overdose becoming fatal.
The Impact on Mental Health and Cognitive Function
Pain pills and alcohol don’t just negatively impact the body, they negatively impact the brain as well. Regular, long-term use of either substance can lead to depression, anxiety, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Combining them can amplify these effects, increasing the risk of poor decision-making, accidents, and self-harm.
Why Mixing Pain Pills and Alcohol Can Lead to Dependency
On their own, both pain pills and alcohol are substances that have a propensity to be abused, leading to dependency and addiction. When mixed together, the risk of dependency and addiction increases greatly.
As the body and the brain both grow more dependent on not just both substances, but the combination of both substances together, it will result in intensified cravings as well as a need to increase the amount of both substances being ingested in order to continue to reach the desired effects.
What to Do If You or Someone You Know Is Mixing Substances
While it is important to remember that you can’t force someone to seek help if you have a friend, family member, or loved one who is mixing pain pills and alcohol and you are concerned for their safety and well-being, it may be a good idea to try and sit them down and have an honest conversation with them.
When doing so it is important not to be judgemental or push an agenda. Simply share your concerns with them and let them know that what they are doing is dangerous to their health.
While you shouldn’t tell them what to do, you can certainly encourage them to speak to their doctor or medical professional, or even seek treatment for substance abuse.
Seeking Help for Polysubstance Abuse
It’s also important to remember that polysubstance abuse (abusing more than one substance at the same time) is treatable. Specialized treatment facilities such as Agape Treatment Center offer treatment programs designed to address multiple substance abuse issues concurrently. Additionally, should there be a mental health concern as well, that can also be addressed with co-occurring disorder treatment.
Safer Pain Management Alternatives to Avoid Risk
If after reading this you may be thinking to yourself, “Well what do I do to address my chronic pain if I can’t take pain pills anymore?”
While pain pills are an effective option for managing chronic pain, it’s not the only one. There are alternatives out there such as:
- Physical therapy – Strengthens muscles and reduces pain without medication.
- Mind-body techniques – Practices like yoga and meditation can help manage pain naturally.
- Non-addictive medications – Consult a physician about safer options such as topical treatments or non-opioid prescriptions.
Get Help For Pain Pills and Alcohol at Agape Treatment Center
Stephanie Robilio is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
