Author: Charles Frank

Norco and Alcohol Food Interactions

It is commonly prescribed to help with post-surgery recovery, relieve chronic pain, or help with discomfort that may come with severe or chronic coughing. Another reality of mixing hydrocodone with other substances like alcohol is that it can lessen the chances naloxone (Narcan) would effectively reverse an overdose. This is because naloxone only works on opioids, not alcohol or other substances. So an overdose from multiple agents would not be able to be reversed by naloxone, with only the opioid part of the overdose potentially responding. Taking your medications as prescribed is vital to minimize your risk of developing an addiction to Vicodin. Opioids are potent medications that can be dangerous when misused and abused.

It is generally not recommended to combine painkillers with alcohol, as this can increase the risk of serious side effects. Alcohol can interact with painkillers in a variety of ways, depending on the type of medication. When you have a history of alcohol or substance use disorder, discuss these concerns with your physician if they prescribe Vicodin or other opioids to relieve pain.

With so many people struggling with opioid and alcohol abuse, it is likely that these two conditions will overlap. This form of polydrug abuse is extremely risky and puts the person at great risk of death from overdose. The CDC and many other science organizations believe that the steep rise of prescription narcotics fed the epidemic of addiction and overdose.

When you combine Vicodin with alcohol, you increase your risk of developing a substance use disorder to either one or both. Both opioid and alcohol use disorders can cause problems in multiple areas of your life. When you mix both, you might need to take more Vicodin to get your prescribed effects. Hydrocodone is an opioid, which means that this medication binds to the opioid receptors in the brain to reduce feelings of pain. When you mix Vicodin with alcohol, you might intensify your intoxication and are at a greater risk of developing opioid addiction.

If you have been prescribed hydrocodone in any form, ask your healthcare provider before drinking alcohol. As a type of opioid drug, you should never combine hydrocodone with alcohol. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that may reverse the effects of opioid overdose. If you or a loved one are suffering from an overdose, this is the medication that should be administered. If a Vicodin and alcohol overdose involves respiratory depression, this should be treated as a medical emergency.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, polysubstance use (i.e., mixing hydrocodone with alcohol) also increases the risk of overdose and death. In fact, 1 in 7 opioid deaths is caused by mixing alcohol with opioids like hydrocodone. The CDC found that alcohol abuse is common among those who abuse prescription drugs as their primary substance of addiction. One analysis found that alcohol was involved in 18.5 percent of opioid-caused emergency room admissions and 22.1 percent of opioid overdose deaths. Recently, naloxone has been spread widely among emergency responders, pharmacies, and even caregivers, to prevent deadly opioid overdoses.

1. The CDC found that alcohol abuse is common among those who abuse prescription drugs as their primary substance of addiction.
2. Hydrocodone is an opioid drug that is commonly used to help relieve moderate to severe pain.
3. Opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin can lead to respiratory depression and a heightened risk of overdose when combined with alcohol.
4. Some of the AddictionLink services are also available in Swedish, English and Russian.

Always consult your physician if your prescription is no longer effective. Taking acetaminophen in excess on its own can lead to liver damage. Since acetaminophen is in Vicodin, taking greater doses than prescribed increases your risk of liver damage. It is never advisable to drink alcohol when taking an opioid painkiller like Vicodin. When the substances are combined, the negative effects of each are compounded. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.

The side effects of Vicodin are a combination of the side effects of both hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Seek treatment at an A-Clinic through the intoxicant abuse services (päihdepalvelut) of your area of residence. Hydrocodone and alcohol together lead to intense central nervous system depression, which might look like heavy intoxication.

There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. Many adverse effects can occur when Vicodin and alcohol are used together.

The Dangers of Mixing Vicodin and Alcohol

Even if you have been in recovery for years, prescription opioids can put you at a greater risk of relapse. These two substances create a dangerous situation for your liver, especially if you already suffer from liver issues. By combining the two, you have a greater chance of inflicting severe internal damage. Some of these side effects can lead to injury or other bodily harm. The dangers of mixing alcohol and Vicodin can even be deadly if you are elderly or have pre-existing respiratory issues. Some side effects of hydrocodone are similar to those of alcohol, such as drowsiness, slowed breathing, impaired coordination, confused thinking, and sleeping issues.

The two substances combined can cause your heart rate to slow down so much that it makes it difficult for you to breathe. When you have difficulty breathing, the brain is unable to get enough oxygen. Eventually without proper oxygen to the brain, you will lose consciousness. Regardless of why a person is mixing hydrocodone with alcohol, the problems are still the same.

We are here to help you through every step of the process from help detoxifying to getting intense one-on-one help with inpatient addiction treatment. If you, or a loved one, have been mixing hydrocodone with alcohol, it is extremely important that you don’t try to attempt to detox or stop taking the substances on your own. Detoxing on your own is not only extremely painful and uncomfortable, but it is dangerous and potentially life threatening. If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect an individual is suffering from an overdose either from mixing hydrocodone with alcohol or from taking illegal drugs, call immediately. Immediate medical treatment is needed for this life threatening situation. One of the biggest concerns about mixing hydrocodone with alcohol is its effect on your breathing and heart rate.

Substance dependence

Hydrocodone and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants. When taken together, its side effects can cause lasting, irreversible damage to the body. The way that hydrocodone works is by connecting to the opioid receptors in the brain. Hydrocodone affects the central nervous system (CNS) by depressing its functions. Taking this medication with another CNS depressant – like alcohol – can lead to immediate complications, like profound sedation and severe respiratory depression. If you cannot quit drinking when taking Vicodin, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives.

Both hydrocodone and alcohol cause similar effects in the brain, so they can compound each other’s intoxication, making a person feel very high or drunk. When these substances are used in combination, risk of overdose and death is very high. Surgeon General, combining alcohol and drugs has negative consequences. For example, using hydrocodone or alcohol together increases the risk of long-term health effects, including mental and physical health. There is no safe amount of alcohol that can be taken with opioids.

Some opioids, like heroin, may take just a few hours to leave your system, while other opioids, like methadone, are longer-acting and may take days or even weeks to leave your body. Your doctor can best advise you about how long to wait based on the opioid you take and your specific medical history. Even if you do not misuse hydrocodone, drinking alcohol while taking it can be dangerous.