Mixing alcohol and cocaine
Some people use alcohol and cocaine together, but mixing them can be dangerous. In this article, we’ll look at what happens when alcohol and cocaine are mixed, the short- and long-term effects, and how to stay safer if you or someone you know uses them.
Why do people mix alcohol and cocaine?
There are lots of reasons why people use alcohol and cocaine together. For some, it starts as part of a night out - alcohol helps them relax, while cocaine gives them a boost of energy to keep going. Others say it helps them feel more sociable, numb difficult feelings, or stay awake longer.
Cocaine can make people feel more in control or alert after drinking, so it can seem like the two balance each other out. But because both affect your brain and body in different ways, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve used and how you’re really feeling underneath.
Some people also mix cocaine and alcohol to escape stress, anxiety, or low mood - using the combination as a way to block things out. Over time, this can become a habit that’s hard to break, especially if it’s linked to certain people, places, or emotions.
What happens when you mix alcohol and cocaine?
Cocaine makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure. This increases your risk of having a heart attack.
When alcohol and cocaine mix, your body creates a new chemical called cocaethylene.
Cocaethylene is more harmful to your heart than cocaine, putting you at a higher risk of having a heart attack when you mix cocaine with alcohol compared to taking cocaine on its own.
Because cocaine can make you feel more awake, it can mask the usual signs of being drunk, like feeling sleepy or off balance. That means you might drink more or take extra cocaine without realising how much you’ve had. This puts more pressure on your body and can increase the risk of harm.
Risks and side effects
Short-term effects
When alcohol and cocaine are used together, the effects on your body and mind can be unpredictable.
You might notice:
- A faster heartbeat or feeling your chest tighten
- Feeling overconfident or more likely to take risks
- Trouble sleeping after using
- Feeling anxious, restless, or irritable
- Nausea, headaches, or shaking
These effects can come on quickly and may be stronger than you expect, especially if you’ve had more than usual or haven’t eaten.
Long-term effects
Using alcohol and cocaine together regularly can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Over time, it can:
- Increase pressure on your heart and liver
- Affect memory, focus, and sleep
- Make anxiety or a low mood worse
- Lead to stronger cravings or dependence
It can also make it harder to stop or cut down, especially if the mix becomes part of a social routine or way of coping with stress.
The after-effects
Once the high wears off, the body has to recover from both substances. People often describe feeling:
- Tired or run down
- Low in mood or anxious
- Restless or unable to sleep
- Craving more to feel “normal” again
These feelings can make it tempting to use again, which can quickly turn into a pattern that’s hard to break.
The emotional impact
Many people describe feeling low, empty, or guilty the day after using.
This emotional crash can make you want to use again to feel better.
Understanding that this feeling is part of the come-down can help you plan for it and reach out for support.
How alcohol can act as a trigger
For many people, alcohol can be a trigger for other drug use - especially cocaine. Drinking can lower inhibitions, increase confidence, and make it easier to say yes to things you might usually avoid. Furthermore, if you only ever take cocaine after drinking alcohol, it can become a major trigger for your cocaine use.
Triggers don’t just come from the drink itself - they’re often tied to where and who you drink with. Certain bars, friends, or routines can become linked to using cocaine or other drugs. Even the start of a night out can act as a cue for your brain to expect what usually comes next.
Get to know your triggers
For some people, alcohol is a clear trigger; for others, it isn’t. The key is noticing your own patterns. Ask yourself:
- Do I feel more likely to use after drinking?
- Are there certain people or places that make it harder to stop
- How do I feel the day after - physically and emotionally?
These small reflections can help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. Get more help with avoiding and managing your triggers here.
Finding ways to stay in control
If you’ve noticed alcohol is a trigger for cocaine use, you could try:
- Having alcohol-free days or breaks
- Planning nights out that don’t involve drinking
- Setting a limit before you start (take a look at the low-risk drinking guidelines for help with this)
- Talking to someone at CDAS about safer ways to manage triggers
Even if you do your best to avoid your triggers, you may still experience cravings for cocaine. It’s helpful to make a plan for when that happens. For more help on this, see our article on how to handle cravings.
You don’t have to give up drinking altogether to stay safe - but knowing your own triggers gives you more choice, more control, and more confidence in your ability to handle cravings as they come.
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Get support
If you've noticed that using alcohol and cocaine together is starting to affect you, it might be time to talk to someone.
You don't need to be in crisis to get help - you can reach out just to have a chat about what's been happening.
