Both oxycodone and alcohol are used because they make a person feel happy and problem-free—at least for a little while. But they also both have the power to make you tired. Think of the opioid addict who nods off in a chair or the drinker who falls asleep on the couch.
That’s because both alcohol and oxycodone, commonly sold under the brand name OxyContin, depress the central nervous system. That can make you feel sleepy, but it can also do far more damage than that.
Oxycodone and Alcohol Side Effects
The most serious side effect of mixing oxycodone and alcohol is depressed breathing, which can lead to death.
What happens is that the brain activity that controls breathing becomes suppressed. The diaphragm, which controls the lungs, also struggles to work properly. Finally, the brain loses the ability to monitor carbon dioxide build up.
The end result is that breathing can completely stop.
Symptoms of an overdose include mental confusion, stupor, coma, blue lips, seizures and hypothermia. Any of these signs should be responded to by seeking immediate medical attention.
The reality is that opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
While it’s not known what percentage of those overdoses involved alcohol, it is a known fact that alcohol increases the sedative effects of opioids like oxycodone—and combining the two puts your life at even greater risk.
Oxycodone and Alcohol Recovery at The Raleigh House
The Raleigh House is a residential treatment center located in Denver that believes addiction isn’t just a physical problem. Our master’s level trained therapists get to the root cause of addiction and will help you develop a strategy to manage and enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment program or our painkiller addiction treatment program.
