You’ve mixed opiates with a drink or two before but do you really know the dangers? Combining these substances can be deadly – the CDC reports over 17,000 overdose deaths annually from prescribed opioids mixed with alcohol or other drugs. If you’re struggling with this risky behavior, Bold Steps Behavioral Health offers comprehensive treatment options like therapy, counseling, detox programs, and more to help you achieve sobriety and reclaim your life. The path may seem daunting, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Take the first courageous step toward healing by contacting us at (717) 882-5989 today.
Mixing Alcohol With Medicines
Potentially Lethal Combination
Mixing alcohol with certain medications, especially opioid painkillers, can be a potentially lethal combination. Alcohol and opioids are both central nervous system depressants that can dangerously amplify each other’s sedative effects. This heightens the risk of respiratory depression, overdose, and death.
Increased Risk of Adverse Events
Even over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen can interact negatively with alcohol, raising the chances of liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other serious side effects. Older adults are especially vulnerable due to physiological changes and higher medication use that could interact with alcohol. Those who suffer from alcohol addiction should be mindful of any medication intake.
Overdose Warning Signs
Signs of an opioid and alcohol overdose include profoundly altered mental status, loss of consciousness, weak pulse, shallow breathing, and blue lips or fingernails. If these signs appear, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available to reverse the overdose.
Overdosing on Opioids and Alcohol
Statistics show alcohol plays a causal role in about 15-20% of opioid-related deaths each year. Even low doses of both substances can increase the risk of fatal overdose due to their synergistic effects on respiratory depression.
Deadly Combinations
Alcohol and opiates are a dangerous combination that can prove lethal. Nearly 1 in 5 overdoses involve both substances. Opioid addiction typically includes one or more of the following: morphine, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and hydrocodone. Buprenorphine preparations combined with alcohol may cause hypotension, profound sedation, and coma.
Treatment is Key
To minimize these deadly risks, comprehensive treatment programs like those at Bold Steps are crucial. Options span detox, therapy, counseling, 12-step support, sober living, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care – tailored plans that address physical dependence and provide vital coping strategies.
Detox Placement
Safe and Supervised Detox
Overcoming addiction starts with detox placement at Bold Steps Behavioral Health, where clients receive 24/7 medical supervision to safely rid their bodies of substances. Their customized detox programs help manage withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and other drugs.
Seamless Transition to Treatment
After completing detox, clients can seamlessly transition into Bold Steps’ evidence-based treatment programs like inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization (PHP), or intensive outpatient (IOP). This continuum of care ensures comprehensive support from detox through aftercare.
Personalized Dual Diagnosis Care
Bold Steps recognizes that mental health disorders often co-occur with addiction, so their detox program provides integrated dual diagnosis treatment. This personalized approach addresses underlying issues to promote long-term recovery.
Treatment for Opioid and Alcohol Addiction
Comprehensive Treatment Programs
Effective treatment for co-occurring opioid and alcohol addictions often requires a comprehensive approach tailored to individual needs. According to SAMHSA, only about 1 in 10 people who need substance use treatment receive care at a specialty facility. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer structured, multidisciplinary treatment while allowing patients to live at home.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Treatment centers utilize evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combining medications with counseling. These approaches address the physical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Comprehensive Support System
An effective treatment plan incorporates individual and group therapy, 12-step programs, sober living arrangements, and family education. This comprehensive support system helps individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms, prevent relapse, and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
Treatment Options at Bold Steps
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol or opioid addiction, Bold Steps offers comprehensive treatment programs, including:
- Medical detox
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient programs
- Aftercare planning
- Sober living homes
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer a comprehensive treatment approach without requiring overnight stays. Participants attend multiple sessions per week, combining individual and group therapy with educational workshops and counseling.
Alcohol and Opiate Addiction FAQs
How Common is Addiction?
Addiction is alarmingly prevalent, affecting 16.7% of Americans aged 12 and older battling a substance use disorder in the past year. Alcohol (10.5%) and drug (9.7%) use disorders are the most common forms.
What Causes Addiction?
A combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as a chaotic home life, peer influences, and mental health disorders, account for 40-60% of a person’s addiction risk. However, anyone can develop an addiction with prolonged substance abuse.
What Treatments are Available?
Effective treatments include therapy, counseling, 12-step programs, sober living environments, detox, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient programs. Unfortunately, only 26% who needed treatment in 2022 received it, often due to cost or lack of readiness.
Can People Recover?
Yes, recovery is attainable. Around 71% of adults who have had a substance use disorder consider themselves in recovery. However, relapse is common as well, but preventable.
Conclusion
Mixing alcohol and opiates is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. If you or a loved one struggle with this addiction, know that Bold Steps Behavioral Health offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment. Our individualized programs include medical detox, residential and outpatient therapy, counseling, 12-step support, and aftercare planning. Join the 23 million Americans in recovery by seeking help today. Regain your health, relationships, and life by taking that courageous first step toward sobriety. Take the first courageous step toward healing by contacting us at (717) 882-5989 today.
