Hydrocodone is an opioid prescribed for moderate and severe pain. The drug exists within hundreds of brand names and generic products, many of which are combinations.1 Hydrocodone has faced significant scrutiny for its role in the modern opioid epidemic. Mixing hydrocodone with other mood-altering substances, including alcohol, can be dangerous and even fatal.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is an antitussive, also known as a cough suppressant, and narcotic analgesic agent. It is the most commonly prescribed opioid in the United States. Hydrocodone can be prescribed on its own, but it is most known for its brand name, Vicodin. It’s also in Lorcet, Tussionex, and Norco. The DEA has classified hydrocodone as a Schedule II drug.2
Hydrocodone is generally prescribed for pain management. It may be prescribed for short-term relief after a serious injury or surgery. Sometimes it can help manage various health conditions when other medications haven’t worked. But all opioids have side effects, and they carry a risk for tolerance and physical dependence.
Can You Mix Hydrocodone & Alcohol?
Abusing either hydrocodone or alcohol on its own is inherently dangerous. But even mixing small or moderate amounts of alcohol with prescribed amounts of hydrocodone can be harmful. Both drugs are depressants, which means they slow down the central nervous system, and each substance can exacerbate the effect of the other. This can increase the risk of comas, overdosing, and death.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol & Hydrocodone?
Both substances depress the body’s central nervous system, reducing how fast messages are transmitted from the brain to the rest of the body.3 Such effects may produce a state of relaxation, but they can also impair concentration and coordination. This can happen even in lower doses, but if someone has a substance abuse problem, the effects become more pronounced.
Side Effects of Mixing Hydrocodone & Alcohol
People may mix hydrocodone and alcohol to intensify pleasurable effects or maintain a sustained level of intoxication. And while problematic side effects don’t always occur, they’re more likely to emerge if someone has been abusing either substance, has a past history of substance abuse, or has compromised health issues.
The side effects of mixing alcohol and hydrocodone may include:
- Abnormal behavior
- Impaired judgment
- Cardiovascular instability
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Respiratory arrest
- Nausea/vomiting
- Irregular/shallow breathing
- Excessive drowsiness
- Seizures
Why Is it Dangerous to Mix Hydrocodone & Alcohol?
Mixing hydrocodone and alcohol can affect you both psychologically and physically. Having impaired judgment also often leads to making more dangerous decisions, causing both immediate and future problems. Likewise, people buying hydrocodone illicitly don’t necessarily know what they’re buying. In 2022, the DEA reported that 60% of fentanyl-laced prescription pills contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.4
Signs of an Alcohol & Hydrocodone Overdose
Overdose is certainly one of the greatest threats in mixing hydrocodone and alcohol. Overdoses can happen quickly, and nobody is immune to the risk. Someone may be more likely to overdose if they abuse substances, take illicit substances, or mix substances. Overdoses can be fatal, and opioids kill 136 Americans each day.5
Signs of an overdose on hydrocodone and alcohol include:
- Clammy skin
- Bluish tint to fingernails or lips
- Limp body
- Unresponsive to voices
- Vomiting
- Slowed or stopped heart rate
- Slowed or irregular breathing
- Cold to touch
- Mental confusion or agitation
- Unconscious or having difficulty staying conscious
Can You Ever Drink While Taking Hydrocodone?
It is medically advised to avoid drinking or even taking medications that contain alcohol while taking hydrocodone. Lethal overdoses can occur at any time, although the risk of an overdose varies based on someone’s age, height and weight, tolerance, and other health factors. Engaging in binge drinking, in particular, is a tremendous health risk and is never considered safe.
How Long Should I Wait Between Drinking Alcohol & Taking Hydrocodone?
It’s important to be aware of a drug’s half-life, which refers to how long it takes the body to metabolize half the drug. A standard 10mg dose of hydrocodone has about a 4-hour half-life. However, it often takes numerous half-lives to fully eliminate the drug, especially if someone has been taking them in high amounts.
In addition, half-lives also vary on individual factors. For example, hydrocodone dosages are generally based on someone’s height and weight. Metabolism, kidney function, liver function, frequency of use, and genetics all play a role in specific half-life measurements. If you intend to drink, it’s always best to discuss your options with your doctor.
Treatment for Hydrocodone & Alcohol Use
Abusing either hydrocodone or alcohol (or both) can be life-threatening. The effects of addiction also cause serious effects on someone’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. Treatment can help you start your course of recovery, and it can offer you a support system as you navigate making new changes in your life. Treatment may consist of either inpatient or outpatient options.
When to Seek Professional Support for Hydrocodone & Alcohol Use
Both hydrocodone and alcohol can be extremely addictive. Some of the classic signs of addiction include using substances more than you intend, struggling (or being unable) to stop, experiencing heightened cravings to use, and using despite health, financial, or logistical consequences. You may also have a substance problem if loved ones have expressed concerns about your drug or alcohol habits.
Addiction and cross-addiction treatments are generally multidisciplinary and may include a combination of therapy, support groups, medication, and lifestyle changes. The specific treatment will vary based on your individual needs. Severe substance use disorders may require hospitalization or detox. Many people then benefit from working with a therapist specializing in substance use disorders. You can begin your search by considering various in-person or online therapy options or looking through a professional directory.
In My Experience
Addiction rates are rising across all ages and demographics. And despite more awareness about the problem, the opioid epidemic shows no signs of slowing down. Preventative treatment can be the best treatment, but no matter how much you’re struggling, help is available. Recovering on your own can be possible, but most people benefit from having a professional support system in place. Therapy offers structure, accountability, and guidance in your recovery.