Dangers of Combining Drugs with Alcohol

Using alcohol or drugs separately can be dangerous, but combining the two is a recipe for disaster. The risk of overdose or injury when alcohol is combined with drugs increases significantly. Teens who are experimenting with drug and alcohol use may combine alcohol with other drugs in search of a high without realizing that this can be dangerous or even fatal.

What is Polydrug Abuse?

Polydrug abuse is when two or more drugs are abused at the same time. Polydrug abuse may also include the use of alcohol with other drugs. Polydrug abuse is much more dangerous than abusing a single drug, as the body is unable to process each drug at the rate that it normally would. This combination creates a higher level of each drug in the body, increasing the risk of injury and overdose. Research shows that many fatal drug overdoses involved the use of more than one drug.

Drugs Teens Commonly Mix with Alcohol

Statistics show that about 30% of high schoolers use alcohol each month. The increase in the frequency of alcohol and drug abuse for teens has led to an increase in teenagers combining alcohol with drugs. This increase includes not only recreational drugs, but also prescription drugs that may heighten the effects of alcohol. Some drugs that teenagers commonly combine with alcohol may include:

The effects of mixing alcohol with other drugs, especially in teens, is not well studied. Mixing alcohol with other substances can lead to unexpected and dangerous side effects.

Signs of Teens Mixing Drugs and Alcohol

Knowing if your teen is mixing alcohol and drugs will be hard without outright asking them. Asking may not be a bad idea if you have a reasonable relationship with your teen and express to them that you are not asking from a judgmental or confrontational viewpoint. Besides asking your teen, you may be able to tell by some signs that they are using alcohol or drugs.

If your teen has any of these signs, it may be an indicator that they have started using alcohol or drugs or that they have begun to develop an addiction.

Teens Mixing Alcohol and Drugs Likely to Overdose

Teen alcohol overdose is more likely when alcohol is combined with other drugs. The body is unable to process drugs as quickly when there is alcohol in the body, and a previously normal amount of a certain drug may become dangerous when it is mixed with alcohol. Teens are often unaware of this risk, and their peers with whom they drink or use drugs are also typically unaware of the danger. Teens may also be less likely to quickly respond to a dangerous overdose out of fear of the response of their parents or authorities; this increases the risk that an overdose could be fatal.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment for Teens

Teen drug and alcohol use can have lasting consequences on their lives. This risk is why seeking treatment for teens as early and quickly as possible is absolutely necessary. Starting teen drug and alcohol rehab as soon as possible lowers the risks of lifelong addiction and the possible negative consequences that it can create.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.