Shoreline Sober Living, San Diego, CA
What are potential consequences of mixing stimulants and depressants?

There aren’t many reasons why an individual may simultaneously consume both depressants and stimulant drugs for partying or recreational purposes. Stimulants and depressants lie at two completely different ends of the drug spectrum. Depressants are designed to slow down an individual’s physical and mental functionality, producing a relaxing, tranquilizing side effect. At the same time, stimulants will increase physical and psychological function, which will create increased energy and alertness in the individual. When an individual consumes both drugs simultaneously, the body will receive an overwhelming mix of messages requesting a range of polar opposite functions.

What does happens when you mix depressants with stimulants?

There is a range of depressants and stimulants, which result in a range of results when consumed together. Combining these drugs can be potentially very dangerous, with the body having unpredictable reactions.

Matters will often become much worse when individuals begin mixing illicit substances such as:

  • Cocaine
  • Ecstasy
  • heroin
  • Marijuana

Mixing these illicit substances is thoroughly advised against by medical professionals due to the severe side effects.

Combining depressants and stimulants will put an individual’s body under immense pressure. The respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems are all placed into a frenzy with simultaneous mixed messages to speed up and slow down.

The following consequences of this are often severe and can result in one or more of the following situations:

  • Overdose
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Heart attack or heart failure
  • Slowed or stopped breathing
  • Coma
  • Brain damage
  • Stomach bleeding
  • Heatstroke
  • Death

A closer look at stimulants

Stimulants are prescribed for narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions. Stimulants have been designed to increase an individual’s alertness, energy, and overall attention. Some of the most common forms of prescription and non-prescription stimulants can include but are not limited to:

  • Khat
  • Cocaine
  • Methylphenidate
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Amphetamine
  • Methamphetamine

Side effects can be seen to include but are not limited to:

  • Anxiety
  • Increased breathing
  • Euphoria
  • Increased blood sugar
  • Dehydration
  • Mood swings
  • Overly energetic
  • Fast heart rate

A closer look at depressants

Depressants are considered complete opposites; they give off a sedating, relaxing effect on the individual. Depressants are often used to treat individuals who suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders, muscle spasms, and additional conditions. As with stimulants, depressants come in a variety of forms:

  • Alcohol
  • Opioids
  • Rohypnol
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines

Side effects can be seen to include but are not limited to:

  • Poor concentration
  • Dry mouth
  • Low blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Movement problems
  • Memory problems

Commonly mixed depressants and stimulants

There is an infinite range of combinations for mixing depressants and stimulants, each with its own specific set of side effects when used recreationally by an individual. Regardless of the variety of depressants and stimulants, an individual is still at significant risk of severe health risks. Under no circumstance should an individual begin mixing drugs unless advised by a medical professional who can monitor the situation.

Alcohol and Marijuana

It is relatively common for individuals to begin drinking when under the influence of marijuana. Many individuals who use this mix often brush off the risks when combining these two drugs; however, marijuana is considered a complex substance as it acts as a depressant. Alcohol is mainly considered a depressant when combining both the substances that are opposites; common side effects can include but are not limited to:

  • Blurry vision
  • Nausea
  • Hallucinations
  • Impaired motor skills
  • Intense paranoia
  • Short term memory loss
  • Panic attacks

Cocaine and Alcohol

Cocaine is a highly intense and potent stimulant, and alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant. An individual will often consume alcohol to counteract the effects of cocaine, but in other cases, individuals will use alcohol to wake them up after a night of heavy drinking. Individuals will sometimes mistakenly think that mixing stimulants with alcohol will cancel out the side effects of each substance. This, unfortunately, could not be further from the truth. Combining the two substances can be lethal for an individual.

When an individual begins mixing alcohol and cocaine, the individual’s body will be near on and immediately produce a chemical that fuses both alcohol and cocaine; this chemical is called cocaethylene. After a short duration, this chemical will create a relatively euphoric solid feeling for the individual. Consequently, the individual can also result in feelings such as:

  • Increased aggression
  • Violent thoughts
  • High blood pressure

A build-up of this chemical can lead to severe life-threatening health issues and sudden death in some cases.

Heroin and Meth

The majority of adults are aware that the drug substances heroin and meth are highly addictive and significantly problematic substances on their own, let alone when they are mixed. Combining these two potent substances shows a significant increase in overdoses and death. While heroin will begin to slow down an individual’s breathing, meth, on the other hand, will increase it. Once an individual’s body has been placed under these unearthly pressures, it will create overwhelming stress.

The combined effects of meth will more often then not, the majority of the time will last longer than the side effects of heroin. More times than not, once the impact of the meth wears off, the effects of the cocaine will begin rapidly increasing. This increasing spike can result in an individual experiencing an increased heart rate, resulting in a heart attack, arrhythmias, and a high possibility of sudden death.

Getting help for drug abuse

It is dangerous for an individual’s health and well-being to mix drugs. Individuals who risk their lives for a temporary high place their lives in significant danger and will be identified by a medical professional as having a drug addiction. While no one will purposely take drugs to both themselves or loved ones in danger, occasional fun with drugs will quickly turn into a troublesome addiction.

If you believe you or a loved one has lost control of their drug habit, please call our helpline. Drugs are never something to experiment with, no matter what age you are or what environment you are in. The results can be life-destroying for yourself and the loved ones surrounding you.

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