Risks of Mixing OxyContin and Alcohol

Today, many people are prescribed pain medications for chronic pain. OxyContin is a potent prescription painkiller that contains hydrocodone which is an opiate. OxyContin is one of the most popular drugs of abuse today and is highly addictive. When OxyContin is mixed with alcohol, the effects are extremely dangerous and can even be fatal. You see, when these two substances are mixed or even taken on the same day, there is a chemical reaction in the body. Each substance is stronger than it would be if taken separately. Mixing alcohol and OxyContin creates a high potential for overdose.

About OxyContin and the Abuse of It

This drug is listed as a Schedule II controlled drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means that it has a
strong potential for abuse and dependence. Other than relieving pain, OxyContin creates a state of euphoria and well-being in the user. This is the reason for its popularity on the streets. The street price for a brand name OxyContin is $50 to $80 per pill. The generic form of this drug sells for $12 to $40 on the streets. Heroin has become more in demand with painkiller addicts today because it is so much cheaper to purchase and has the same effects for the user.

The active ingredient in OxyContin is a 12-hour, time-released form of oxycodone which is a synthetic form of morphine.
OxyContin has more oxycodone in it than other more common prescription painkillers such as Percocet or Percodan. Some people who abuse OxyContin crush the pills and either snort them or dilute the drug with water and inject it while others chew it. Doing this releases the entire amount of the drug at once into the system and erases the time-release safety mechanism. This can result in a fatal overdose. Oftentimes, abusers turn to stealing valuables or money to maintain their use of OxyContin.

Effects of Mixing OxyContin and Alcohol

Some individuals mix OxyContin with alcohol to increase the pleasurable effects. People who mix these two substances say that
they have effects like:

• Relaxation
• Numbness
• Drowsiness
• Dream-like state
• Wandering mind
• Euphoria

Dangers of Mixing OxyContin and Alcohol

Mixing OxyContin and alcohol can result in severe adverse reactions, and worse. Alcohol’s sedative effects will intensify when you take it with a narcotic. When mixing these two substances, you will have trouble with coordination and trouble concentrating. Your alcohol tolerance will be lower which can lead to alcohol poisoning. Some of the dangerous side effects of mixing OxyContin and alcohol include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Shallow breathing
• Slowed heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizure
• Coma
• Death

Treatment for OxyContin Addiction

If you are struggling with Oxycontin (or any other painkiller) addiction and are mixing other substances with this drug, you are risking your life. Don’t keep living with drug addiction and taking chances every day. There are inpatient addiction treatment centers throughout the United States today that specialize in prescription painkiller addiction. Opiate addiction has reached epidemic proportions in our country, and overdose deaths have skyrocketed. Please don’t become a statistic. Think about your family and other loved ones, if not yourself.

Seek help for your addiction in an inpatient treatment center where specialists will be available around the clock to monitor you as you go through the detoxification process. If any medical emergencies arise from the detox process, a medical professional will be on hand to take care of it immediately. After detoxification, you will transition into a treatment program which specialists will design to fit your individual needs and preferences. Don’t wait any longer. Get the help you need  before it is too late.