This has a wide range of effects on the body, including slowing breathing and heart rate. An opioid overdose occurs when cellular receptors in the brain, called opioid receptors, are overstimulated by excessive amounts of opioid drugs. The depressive effects of the drugs cause many vital functions to slow down, most especially breathing. This is because the enzyme your body uses to break down acetaminophen (called CYP2E1) also breaks down alcohol. Due to the competition for the enzyme, less acetaminophen is broken down and more of the active drug remains in the bloodstream. This, in turn, translates to a higher risk of liver injury and, in some cases, permanent liver damage.

COWS Score for Opiate Withdrawal

The risk of harm increases with the amount of alcohol consumed, but for people who use opioids, there is no safe level of alcohol to consume. Percocet overdose is a life-threatening condition that can happen when you take too much of the drug. If not treated on time, it may result in respiratory depression, coma, injuries, brain damage, and even death. This can lead to Percocet misuse, physical dependence, and opioid addiction. Percocet overdoses occur when opioid receptors become overstimulated, causing vital functions to slow down, eventually leading to respiratory depression and failure.

Signs and Symptoms of Combined Percocet and Alcohol Use

• On their own, alcohol and Percoset can both slow breathing, impair judgment and coordination, and be toxic to the liver.
• This slow-acting medication is released into the bloodstream over time, helping treat several types of moderate to severe pain.
• During these situations, administering naloxone can reverse the effects of a Percocet overdose and is often used by medical professionals in emergencies.
• Alcohol interferes with communication between nerve cells in the body, which can lead to permanent damage to the nervous system and even cause a permanent imbalance in the body.
• There are different treatment options, depending on the situation and individual’s needs.

Chronic alcohol use, on the other hand, changes how the liver metabolizes toxins, and this change actually increases the rate of acetaminophen breakdown. People with chronic alcohol use disorder who overdose on acetaminophen have increased liver necrosis and a worse prognosis than people who drink in moderation. When opioids such as oxycodone and alcohol are combined, it can have devastating effects. Drinking alcohol while using opioids comes with many risks, including slower breathing, impaired judgment, and potentially overdose and death. Both oxycodone and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, causing the body to become overwhelmed if it tries to withstand the effects of both drugs.

• This impairment increases the likelihood of accidental injuries, such as falls, burns, or road traffic accidents.
• To ensure safety, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing alcohol with prescription medications, including Percocet.
• Due to competition for this enzyme, less acetaminophen is broken down, resulting in higher levels of the drug remaining in the bloodstream.
• That’s why individuals who drink too much alcohol often slur their speech or stumble around a bit.

Addiction and impaired coordination

On top of that, combining Percocet and alcohol puts a strain on the liver, as Percocet contains acetaminophen, which is known to affect liver function when taken in large doses. Drinking alcohol with Percocet makes it even more difficult for the liver to metabolize and eliminate both substances, which can cause liver damage. Sometimes, people drink to enhance the effects of Percocet, which creates various health risks. Mixing alcohol with Percocet is highly discouraged and has no valid purpose. Since both are CNS depressants, a larger dose can result in depressed respiration, loss of consciousness, and death. In mild doses, victims may experience a loss of proper judgment, impaired thinking, and loss of psychomotor skills.

What Can Happen if You Drink on Percocet?

Even small amounts of alcohol can cause unpredictable reactions when taken alongside prescription opioids like Percocet. Additionally, the combination can heighten the euphoric and relaxing effects of both substances, leading to an increased risk of over-consumption and poisoning. Alcohol enhances the absorption and potency of Percocet, making it easier to accidentally take a toxic dose.

Treatment for Percocet and Alcohol Addiction

Since both opioids and alcohol are CNS depressants, taking them together can be dangerous and increase mixing alcohol and percocet the risk of overdose, liver damage, respiratory depression, and more. In fact, drinkers who have developed a high dependence should seek medical care when they plan to stop. This is because alcoholics experience high anxiety during detoxification which can lead to extreme blood pressure and fatal heart attack. Opioid withdrawal is very dramatic and difficult, but it is not considered life threatening.

The intoxicating effects of both substances can lead to accidental overdoses, as individuals may forget they have taken a Percocet dose and take another. The effects of an overdose can be fatal, including slowed breathing, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, unconsciousness, and coma. The risk of an overdose when mixing these substances is significant, and it is challenging to determine how much alcohol and Percocet is needed for an overdose to occur.

Up to 45% of people who report that they misuse prescription opioids also meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The amount of oxycodone needed for pain relief varies depending on each individual’s pain levels and body. Your healthcare provider will most likely start you on a low dose, and slowly increase until the pain is well-controlled.

Treatment and recovery options

They will also likely ask you to provide a sample of urine or saliva to check what drugs you have been taking. They will then discuss your treatment options and agree on a treatment plan with you. This may include medication-assisted detox treatment to help reduce withdrawal symptoms. Your treatment plan may also include details of how and when you will stop taking Percocet, and your pain control will be carefully monitored. It is important to note that the combination of alcohol and Percocet can be unpredictable, and the specific effects can vary from person to person. To ensure safety, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing alcohol with prescription medications, including Percocet.

People with opioid use disorder might also consider support groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous). Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. Do not stop taking Percocet suddenly without medical guidance, as this can be dangerous. This article looks at Percocet and alcohol and the risks of taking them together.

The Dangers of Combining Percocet and Alcohol

If you have taken Percocet, wait at least 24 hours before consuming alcohol to ensure that the drug has time to leave your bloodstream. Some medications that can be used for Percocet detoxification include methadone and buprenorphine. Methadone is an agonist drug that can help lessen cravings for Percocet and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is also commonly used to treat opioid withdrawal as it helps reduce symptoms that can hinder recovery. If you are in the United Kingdom, the NHS provides drug treatment services, and there are also private drug and alcohol treatment organizations. At your first appointment, staff will ask about your drug use, work, family, and housing situation.

This behavior not only endangers the individual but also poses a significant risk to those around them, including friends, family, and strangers. Additionally, the acetaminophen in Percocet can increase the risk of liver injury when mixed with alcohol. Doctors usually limit opioid prescriptions to the lowest therapeutic dose for the shortest possible time.