The Dangers of Mixing Codeine and Alcohol

Mixing medications is risky without a doctor’s guidance, and mixing certain types of medicine with alcohol is never a good idea. This applies to the combining of codeine and alcohol. Some people may have a prescription for codeine, while others take it because it’s classified as a narcotic and they want the euphoric feeling it gives them. In this type of case, a codeine addiction treatment program is necessary to bring the person out of addiction. No matter what your reasons are for taking codeine, the dangers of mixing it with alcohol are great.

What Is Codeine and Why Is It Prescribed?

Codeine is a Schedule II controlled substance. It’s an opioid which occurs naturally in the opium poppy just like other pain relievers such as Percocet. Physicians prescribe Codeine to treat mild to moderate pain as well as to treat coughing. When used to treat pain, the medicine works on the opioid receptors in the brain, while when it’s used to treat coughing it works on the part of the brain responsible for coughing.

Mixing Codeine and Alcohol: The Risks and Dangers

Alcohol is also a depressant, which means when you mix it with Codeine, you will be combining two depressants together. Even taking too much of one depressant is opening yourself up to risk. When you combine the two, the risk doubles. Some of the effects of using alcohol and codeine together include:

• Extreme lethargy or drowsiness
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Unclear thinking or fogginess
• Concentration issues
• Slurred speaking
• Difficulty with motor skills such as walking

These symptoms are also indicative of a serious issue with polysubstance abuse. Anytime your system has too much of a depressant ingested, whether it’s from one substance of two, it is a danger to your health.

Symptoms of Codeine Addiction

Codeine and alcohol are both addictive substances. Many people recognize the signs of alcohol abuse or heroin addiction, but what about codeine addiction. It’s a milder narcotic pain reliever but is still a Schedule II drug, meaning it has the potential for abuse. For example, some signs of Codeine addiction include:

• Using the medication when you don’t need to
• Obtaining the medication without a prescription
• Mixing the medication with alcohol even though you know the risks
• Taking more of the medicine than prescribed
• Taking the medication to feel good

Hope for Codeine Addiction

At Beaches Recovery, we offer hope for people struggling with Codeine addiction. Our research-based programs are staffed with trained clinicians. Some of the therapies we offer include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• EMDR
• Trauma & PTSD therapy
• Mindfulness therapy

Don’t let codeine and alcohol harm your life. You can overcome these addiction issues by going to high-quality drug rehab. Contact us at 866.605.0532, and we’ll get you on the journey to healing.