Alcohol and Other Drugs

Using alcohol along with other drugs is unsafe because the effects may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and possibly even deadly.

The health risks include:

• Overdose
• Injury
• Violence
• Risky sexual behavior
• Chronic disease
• Alcohol or other substance use disorders
   

Mixing alcohol with stimulants, including energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages, can mask the effects of the alcohol, making it harder to tell when you’ve had too much to drink. There may be a feeling of alertness, and as a result, more alcohol may be consumed, resulting in greater impairment.

Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It can also increase the risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulty breathing.