What is cocaethylene? When you mix cocaine, a psychoactive stimulant drug, and alcohol, another powerfully addictive substance, you have cocaethylene. The side effects of both drugs can damage the body’s system on their own, but when a person combines the substances, then this particular chemical activates. The chemical builds up in the body’s organs like the liver or the immune system. Cocaine and alcohol are considered socially accepted party drugs, making the interaction common.
How Is Cocaethylene Produced?
The liver is the primary organ associated with the detoxification process in the body. Most waste or toxins from drugs like cocaethylene are processed through the liver. Cocaine and alcohol damage the body’s tissue and must be removed from the bloodstream. The liver plays a vital role in cleaning out the toxins in the blood and body. Cocaethylene develops and is processed through the liver.
The chemical is produced about two hours after ingestion of both substances. The body is halted from completely processing cocaine when it’s mixed with alcohol, creating cocaethylene. Since both drugs are heavy and cause serious side effects, the body’s metabolizing system is slowed down, leaving twenty percent of the drug remaining in the body. The idea of this processing happening in the liver is to avoid toxins going into or staying in the bloodstream, but when a person continues to drink after drug misuse, the bloodstream, tissues, and other organs are disrupted.
Cocaine and Alcohol Makes Cocaethylene Buildup
Cocaine mixed with alcohol does more than giving a person a coke hangover or a migraine from alcohol. When a person consumes both substances, then the risk of alcohol poisoning increases. The body and mind can go into shock due to the harsh sensations and toxins streaming through the system. Other cocaethylene effects that begin in the liver include:
- Stroke
- Chest pain
- Sedation or coma
- Impaired judgment
- Cardiovascular issues
- Spontaneous heart attack
- Impulsiveness or restless behaviors
- Damage to veins, heart tissue, and arteries
The chance of overdose and the risk of death is dramatically heightened when a person consumes cocaine with alcohol. A person should strongly consider undergoing a medically monitored detox, complete with professionals, to avoid overdose or long-term health complications.
What Are the Dangers of Mixing Stimulants and Alcohol?
Mixing stimulants with alcohol can lead to a host of severe and often life-threatening health risks due to their opposing effects on the human body. When combined, these substances can significantly impair heart and brain functions, amplify each other's effects, and increase the likelihood of fatal outcomes.
One critical issue with such a mixture is the exacerbation of cardiovascular problems. Independently, stimulants can cause increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and heightened risk of heart attacks and strokes. When alcohol is added, these risks escalate, leading to more severe instances of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and myocardial infarction.
The dangers extend beyond cardiovascular health. For example, alcohol and stimulants together can severely impact liver function, with substances like cocaethylene (a byproduct of cocaine and alcohol) intensifying these effects. Cocaethylene has been found to significantly escalate cardiac stress more than cocaine alone, thus increasing the likelihood of severe cardiovascular incidents, sudden death, and substantial liver damage.
Moreover, the interaction between these substances influences cognitive function and decision-making processes, often leading to heightened risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors such as aggressive acts or reckless driving. The likelihood of accidents and resultant injuries or death is thereby increased.
Substance dependence and addiction potential are also enhanced when mixing stimulants and alcohol. For instance, studies have shown that people using stimulant drugs like methamphetamine in combination with alcohol may consume higher quantities of both substances due to decreased metabolism of the stimulant, leading to higher internal concentrations which further stimulate brain and heart activity.
Additionally, issues like distorted sleep patterns and impaired cognitive functions are prevalent. Such sleep disturbances can contribute to a cycle of increased substance use, as individuals may consume more stimulants to counteract alcohol-induced lethargy.
Taken together, the combination of stimulants and alcohol is exceptionally dangerous, exacerbating the individual risks associated with each substance and leading to acute and potentially fatal health outcomes.
What Are the Stimulants and How do they Affect the Central Nervous System?
Stimulants are a category of substances that enhance activity in the central nervous system (CNS) by affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. These compounds can be found in both legal prescription forms, used for treating disorders such as ADHD and narcolepsy, as well as in illegal forms. Their primary effect on the CNS is to heighten alertness, energy, and focus. However, when misused, stimulants can lead to severe side effects such as confusion, paranoia, restlessness, seizures, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Due to their significant potential for abuse, even prescription stimulants are regulated under the Schedule II category of the Controlled Substances Act.
What Is the Cocaethylene Half-Life?
How long the chemical stays in the body’s system depends on numerous factors, like if the person was a chronic user. However, cocaine does not last long in the body, and the elimination half-life of a metabolite like cocaethylene can last anywhere from 14 hours to over 50 hours. Therefore, a person needs to not drink or take cocaine for over a week for the chemical to completely exit the body.
Depending on how the drug is tested can determine the duration of the substance’s stay in the system. For example, cocaethylene can be tested in the hair for up to ninety days after the last use. Additionally, urine tests can detect the chemical a week after use and, if tested in the blood, this can be seen for up to ten hours after the last use.
Care at Our Detox in Delaware
Effective treatment for simultaneous intoxication and withdrawal from multiple substances involves a comprehensive approach. Detoxification is a critical component, where the patient is assisted in cleansing their body of toxins under the watchful eye of healthcare professionals. This supervised environment ensures safety during withdrawal and helps manage symptoms effectively. Additionally, the treatment plan should incorporate strategies for addressing any co-occurring mental health issues and physical health conditions, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery. This multifaceted framework is essential for handling the complexities of multiple substance dependencies and contributing health challenges.
At Banyan Treatment Centers Delaware, we offer alcohol addiction treatment and cocaine addiction treatment for those who are struggling with side effects or are relapsing. Our team of experts is prepared to help patients focus on their triggers and patterns while going through the withdrawal process. We pride ourselves on maintaining a clean and secure environment during treatment.
Please, don’t wait to recover and get back on track with the life you want to live. Speak to a specialist at Banyan Delaware by calling 888-280-4763 and asking about our support for families of addiction!
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