Deadly Common Drug Combinations

What deadly drug combinations can have profound health implications? Find out which combinations are deadly and how to avoid them.

Overview

It is no secret that drug combinations can be deadly, but what may come as a surprise is how common these combinations are. Many people do not realize they are taking dangerous combinations of drugs.

Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are often combined with other medicines or alcohol without knowing the risks. This can lead to serious side effects and even death in some cases. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers associated with drug combinations and take steps to avoid them whenever possible.

Deadly drug combinations are a severe public health concern in the United States and worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 20,000 people die annually due to unintentional drug poisonings. 1
Deadly Drug Combination

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What Makes Drug Combinations Deadly?

Lethal drug combinations can result in overdose. An overdose from deadly drug combinations alters the body’s acid, base, and blood element balances. When the body chemistry is disrupted, the liver, kidneys, and organs can be damaged, resulting in an overdose. 2

What Is Polysubstance Abuse?

Polysubstance abuse involves the use of one or more drugs. Typically, polydrug abuse occurs when a person takes two or more substances within a short time. If a person struggles with polydrug abuse, cross dependence is likely. 3

The Deadliest Drug Combinations

Deadly drug combinations can include alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cannabis, stimulants, etc. Lethal drug combinations can consist of various legal and illegal substances. 4

Alcohol and Opioids Combination

Deadly drug combinations include alcohol and depressants such as opioids. According to the CDC, more than four million people who abuse opioids binge drink. With that in mind, it’s essential to familiarize oneself with deadly drug combinations mixed with alcohol. 5

The Dangers of Alcohol and Opioids Combinations

Drug overdose and death are severe complications of polydrug use, including alcohol and opiates. Alcohol use and prescription opioid abuse can lead to serious drug interactions. 5

Alcohol and Opioids Overdose Symptoms

Alcohol and opioid overdose symptoms include mental confusion, inability to wake up, vomiting, seizures, irregular breathing, slow heart rate, and dulled response. 6

Alcohol and Benzodiazepines Combination

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that can lead to adverse drug interactions when combined with alcohol. 4

Alcohol and Benzodiazepines Overdose Symptoms

Overdose symptoms of these deadly drug combos can include vomiting, diarrhea, unresponsiveness, limp body, seizures, slow pulse, and difficulty breathing. 7

The Dangers of Alcohol and Benzodiazepines Combination

Alcohol and benzodiazepines are one of the top deadly drug combinations. Cross dependence between alcohol and benzodiazepines can lead to slowed breathing, restricted oxygen, and potentially death. 8

Heroin and Cocaine Combination - Speedballs

When an individual mixes heroin and cocaine or amphetamines, it is sometimes called speedballing. The drug interactions between these substances can have devastating effects.

Speedballs Overdose Symptoms

The overdose symptoms of speedballing can include loss of consciousness, pale face, blue fingernails, choking, hallucinations, difficulty breathing, paranoia, seizures, loss of balance, and more. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of an overdose, call emergency services immediately. You should also place them on their side to keep their airway open if possible. Do not try to make a person vomit, give them food, or offer anything to drink. 7

The Dangers of Heroin and Cocaine Combination

Deadly drug combinations such as heroin and cocaine increase the likelihood of overdose. Cocaine and amphetamines cause the body to require more oxygen. The euphoria effects of cocaine are known to wear off faster than heroin. At the same time, heroin slows a person’s breathing rate. 8

Other Deadly Drug Combinations

In addition to the deadly drug combinations previously discussed, it’s vital to learn about cocaine and alcohol, club drugs, and marijuana. Keep reading to explore these potentially deadly drug combos.

Cocaine and Alcoho

Cocaine and alcohol are one of the deadly drug combinations to avoid. Once alcohol and cocaine are combined in the body, a lethal chemical is created that can be toxic to the human heart. 8

Deadly Prescription Drug Combinations

The deadliest drug combinations involve prescriptions that slow down breathing rates. These prescription drug groups include opioids, antihistamines, depressants, and general anesthetics. 9

Club Drugs

You may be wondering, what are club drugs? Club drugs are psychoactive substances that stimulate the central nervous system. If individuals are using club drugs, they may experience behavior, awareness, and mood changes. As you may have inferred from the name, young adults commonly use club drugs at parties, nightclubs, concerts, etc. Well-known club drugs include MDMA, liquid ecstasy, ketamine, Rohypnol, methamphetamine, and LSD. Club drugs are sometimes used as date rape drugs. Deadly drug combos can be created when mixed with alcohol or another drug. 10

Marijuana and Other Drugs

Dangerous drug combinations can involve any legal or illegal mind-altering substance. When marijuana is combined with alcohol, opioids, and other drugs, illicit deadly drug combinations can result. These dangerous drug combinations can result in hypertension, tachycardia, depression, and confusion. 11

Treatment for Polysubstance Abuse at Concise Recovery

Deadly Drug Combination

Say no to addiction and avoid deadly common drug combinations! At Concise Recovery, overcoming addiction is possible and achievable. The following sections will discuss polydrug abuse treatment options and what to expect at Concise Recovery.

Our Treatment and Recovery Options for Polydrug Abuse

Concise Recovery offers multiple treatment formats for individuals struggling to overcome addiction. Whether you need detoxification, residential inpatient, partial day treatment, outpatient programming, or sober living, Concise Recovery is here to help. Concise Recovery also provides dual diagnosis treatment for addiction, mental health, and trauma.

What To Expect

If you choose Concise Recovery, you will embark upon a physical and mental healing journey. The team at Concise Recovery creates individualized treatment plans to empower each client to live a fulfilling and healthy life. Your treatment program will be specifically designed to meet your unique needs. Skilled therapists, nurses, doctors, and addiction professionals come together to provide high-quality therapeutic care.

Getting Help

Contact our friendly concierge team today to enroll in world-class treatment services at Concise Recovery!

Resources

  1. https://www.lhsfna.org/accidental-lethal-drug-mixes-more-common/
  2. https://ncapda.org/parents/drug-overdose/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwr-SSBhC9ARIsANhzu17FKizrslz_b3JghJ3C4H95AH3QUjFJb_7yNlsKkupsC7UA388WLagaAlEfEALw_wcB
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/polysubstance-use/index.html#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20more%20than,period%2C%20either%20intentionally%20or%20unintentionally.
  4. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/drugs/dangers+of+mixing+drugs
  5. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0611-people-opioids-drink.html
  6. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose
  7. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drug-overdose
  8. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/7592c9004f50b005aba6ef330cda8a00/Risks+associated+with+benzodiazepines+%2800506%29+2017.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-7592c9004f50b005aba6ef330cda8a00-nKPRdFk
  9. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/it-safe-to-use-prescription-drugs-in-combination-other-medications
  10. https://medlineplus.gov/clubdrugs.html
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7055953/#:~:text=Additive%20effects%20can%20occur%20with,e.g.%2C%20tachycardia%2C%20confusion).