Cocaethylene: Understanding the Risks of Using Cocaine and Alcohol Together

Cocaethylene is not a drug you can buy, but the side effects it produces can be equally as dangerous as street drugs. It is common for people who use recreational drugs to combine cocaine with alcohol, and cocaethylene is one of the side effects. 

Polysubstance use is one of the leading causes of overdose and death among recreational drug users today.  So, if you or someone you know uses cocaine and alcohol together, you should know the risks involved.

What Is Cocaethylene?

The liver produces a psychoactive metabolite called cocaethylene as it tries to process cocaine and alcohol at the same time.  Similar to cocaine, cocaethylene blocks the reuptake of dopamine and may also block the reuptake of serotonin.  

Studies show that about 74% of people who use cocaine also use alcohol.  Since millions of people regularly combine cocaine and alcohol, greater awareness about the risks is needed.  

How Does Cocaethylene Make You Feel?

Cocaethylene is similar in potency to cocaine, but the effects last longer.  Like cocaine, it causes increased feelings of energy, focus, pleasure, and excitement.  It may also increase the risk of experiencing longer-lasting anxiety and panic attacks.

Why Is It Dangerous to Use Cocaine and Alcohol Together?

The first thing to note is that cocaine is a stimulant, and alcohol is a depressant. When the two substances are combined, they cancel each other out and may cause a person to take too much of the substances.

People use cocaine and alcohol together for various reasons. For instance, they may want to enhance the pleasurable effects of each substance.  In other cases, a person may use alcohol to reduce the anxiety that occurs when cocaine leaves their system.  

Regardless of the reasons for doing so, combining the two substances can be unpredictable and potentially life-threatening.  When cocaethylene forms, it increases the risk of sudden death by about 25 times compared to using cocaine without alcohol.

Side Effects of Cocaethylene

Cocaethylene overload can be toxic, causing severe physical symptoms such as sudden death from heart attack stroke, or liver toxicity.  It may also result in injury or sudden death from car accidents or violent behavior.  

Using cocaine and alcohol together may produce other side effects such as:

• Irregular heart rate
• Increased body temperature
• Slowed reaction times
• Damage to the heart and veins
• LIver, stomach, brain damage
• Poor decision-making
• Confusion, memory loss
• High blood pressure
• Seizures

Because of the long half-life of cocaethylene, the chance of cocaine overdose increases.  Furthermore, the half-life of cocaine almost doubles when consumed with alcohol.

Signs of Cocaethylene Overload

When a person uses cocaine and alcohol together, the risk of overdose is significant. Here’s what to watch for:

• Anxiety, panic attack, or paranoia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased body temperature
• Chest pain, rapid heart rate
• Tremors
• Unresponsiveness
• Seizures

If you suspect someone has overdosed, administer naloxone if possible and contact medical professionals immediately.

How to Avoid Cocaethylene Harm

Of course, the best way to avoid cocaethylene harm is to stop using cocaine and alcohol together.  However, other precautions may help lessen the risk of harm such as:

• Use less cocaine and alcohol and wait longer between sessions.
• Avoid things that make you want to use the substances such as friends who use and places you go to get high.
• Remind yourself how bad you feel after using the drugs.
• If you can’t quit or cut down, seek professional treatment.

If you decide to seek treatment, look for a facility that has the expertise to treat polysubstance use.

Treatment for Cocaine and Alcohol at Design for Change

Design for Change Recovery provides a comprehensive addiction treatment program that targets a broad range of substance abuse disorders.  Our full continuum of care seeks to heal the whole person mentally, physically, and spiritually to ensure long-lasting recovery.  

In our program, you participate in various classes and activities that promote healing while providing the skills and knowledge you need to enjoy a sober lifestyle.  We offer different levels of care to help you get the right program for your needs.  The options include outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and aftercare services.  Whether you need a 30, 60, or 90-day program, our programs are flexible and can be adapted as you progress.

At Design for Change, you will enjoy a safe and comforting environment where skilled, compassionate staff ensure your needs are met.  Also, we are in-network with many major insurance companies to help you get the quality care you deserve.  Our facility is JCAHO-accredited and strives to maintain its highest standards of care.

Contact our Lancaster, CA facility today if you are concerned about the risks of cocaine and alcohol abuse.  One of our treatment advisors will assist you in choosing the best program for your situation.  Reach out to us by phone, email, or online to learn more.

Sources:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –  The Importance of considering Polysubstance Use: Lessons from Cocaine Research

sciencedirect.com – Cocaethylene

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Cocaethylene: When Cocaine and Alcohol Are Taken Together