Mixing fentanyl with alcohol is extremely dangerous and can be deadly, even if you do it just once. Fentanyl is a man-made drug that’s much stronger than heroin – it’s so powerful that even a little bit can kill you. Fentanyl and alcohol mixed mean that the dangers get even worse.
Alcohol makes the effects of fentanyl stronger, which can quickly lead to very serious health problems or even an overdose without meaning to. Using these two together can mess up your heartbeat, stop your breathing, put you in a coma, or even cause death. Read on to learn more about fentanyl abuse, the problems of fentanyl alcohol combined, and fentanyl long-term effects like addiction or overdose.
Fentanyl and Alcohol Interaction
When alcohol and fentanyl are used together, they interact in a way that significantly increases the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal side effects. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid, and alcohol is a depressant. Both substances slow down the body’s central nervous system, which controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate. When combined, this slowing effect is amplified.
The interaction between fentanyl and alcohol can lead to a dramatic decrease in breathing and heart rate. This is particularly hazardous because it can happen so quickly that the person may not realize they are in danger. The risk of accidental overdose skyrockets, as the body’s ability to handle these substances is overwhelmed. Beyond this, the presence of alcohol can make it harder to effectively reverse a fentanyl overdose with naloxone, a medication used in emergency situations.
Can Mixing Fentanyl and Alcohol Cause Death?
Mixing fentanyl with alcohol can indeed be lethal. The combination of these two substances poses a critical risk due to their compounded depressant effects on the body’s central nervous system. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, significantly slows down vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Alcohol, also a depressant, exacerbates these effects. When combined, the likelihood of severe respiratory depression increases, where breathing can slow down to a dangerous level or stop altogether, potentially leading to death.
The danger is heightened because it’s difficult to gauge the combined impact of these substances. Even small amounts of fentanyl, when mixed with alcohol, can rapidly lead to life-threatening situations. The risk of accidental overdose is significantly higher with this combination, as symptoms can quickly progress to an unresponsive state, coma, and potentially death, often resulting from respiratory failure.
Fentanyl and Alcohol Effects
These are the most common effects triggered by mixing fentanyl and alcohol:
- Respiratory depression: The simultaneous use of fentanyl, a potent opioid, and alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, greatly amplifies the risk of respiratory depression. This condition is characterized by a significant reduction in the rate and depth of breathing. The compounded effect can rapidly escalate to respiratory arrest, a critical condition where breathing ceases completely, posing an immediate threat to life.
- Impaired cognitive function: The combination of these substances severely impairs cognitive abilities. Individuals may experience profound drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, and a reduced ability to make sound judgments. This impairment can severely impact the ability to perform basic tasks, operate machinery, or make rational decisions. The risk of accidents and injuries rises substantially under these conditions.
- Increased risk of overdose: When fentanyl and alcohol are used together, the risk of accidental overdose skyrockets. The overlapping effects can lead to severe symptoms such as profound sedation, an inability to wake up, markedly slow or halted breathing, and a lack of responsiveness. Even small amounts of these substances, when combined, can lead to these life-threatening outcomes.
- Cardiovascular complications: This combination can disrupt normal heart rhythms, leading to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and critically low blood pressure (hypotension). These cardiovascular disturbances can result in fainting, dizziness, and an increased risk of heart failure or other severe cardiac events.
- Potential for coma and death: In extreme cases, the synergistic effects of fentanyl and alcohol can induce coma, a state of deep unconsciousness from which a person cannot be awakened. This state often results from severe respiratory failure or cardiovascular collapse and can rapidly lead to death if not immediately addressed.
- Enhanced mental health risks: Beyond the immediate physical dangers, combining fentanyl and alcohol can exacerbate underlying mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or psychotic disorders. This can lead to a worsening of symptoms and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky or harmful behaviors.
- Long-term health consequences: Repeated use of fentanyl and alcohol in combination can lead to chronic health issues, including long-term cognitive impairments, persistent respiratory problems, and ongoing cardiovascular health issues. It can also accelerate the progression of addiction and substance use disorders.
The combination of fentanyl and alcohol is extremely hazardous, significantly elevating the potential for acute and long-term adverse health outcomes. The profound risks associated with this combination underscore the critical need for heightened awareness, caution, and avoidance of concurrent use. Both substances are highly addictive and their synergistic effects pose severe threats to health and safety.
Get Treatment for Fentanyl and Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery
Fentanyl is highly addictive, but addiction to this synthetic opioid is also treatable. When you choose outpatient treatment at Ohio Recovery Centers, you will have time to meet your everyday commitments while engaging with personalized therapy at our treatment facility in Cincinnati, OH.
If you feel that you need a more supportive and structured approach to addressing fentanyl addiction, we also offer more intensive outpatient programs.
After detoxing from fentanyl under medical supervision, you can access ongoing psychotherapy, counseling, and medication-assisted treatment. You will also have a chance to participate in holistic therapies to supplement science-based treatments.
Call 877-679-2132 today and kickstart your recovery right away.