The Effects of Mixing Drugs and Alcohol

Almost all of the drugs, whether prescribed or over the counter, would adversely interact with alcohol. The doctor would normally advise the patient to avoid drinking alcohol during the period of taking the drug. Antibiotics, anti-fungus, antiviral and antidepressants are all reacting with alcohol to give hazardous side effects to the patient consuming alcohol, while taking drugs. Sticking to the doctor's advice would be the best thing that you could do, in order to get the full benefits of a drug.

Antibiotics are usually broken down by the liver and excreted through stools & urine. The time period for retention of the drug in the body will be decided by the doctor, after considering the medical history of the patient. But, alcohol would interact with the antibiotic and extend this retention time in the body. This would actually reduce the effect of the antibiotic on your body. There have been many cases of unwanted side effects reported in patients who took alcohol and drugs together. Dizziness, vomiting, nausea, increase of heart rate, shortness of breath and upset stomach are some of these side effects.

Alcohol would really hamper the healing process in the body by interacting with the antibiotic or any other kind of drug. The overall energy levels will decrease and the body will be more prone to be re-infected with the disease. If you are desperate in consuming alcohol during the medication period, it is better to inform it to your physician. Then, he would be able to advise you on the quantities of alcohol that you should be consuming, in order to minimize the effects that it would have on the prescribed drug. Most of the mouthwashes and some medicines that are being taken for common colds & coughs also consists of alcohol. You should be aware of this too.

Some of the Problems With Cocaine Use

Cocaine is one of the most popular illegal drugs on the black market today. This incredibly addictive substance has several nicknames and is used by people from all demographics. Cocaine use can cause multiple health problems, some of them irreversible. Many users do not realize how addictive cocaine, often called coke or blow, can be until they are caught in the grips of addiction and realize that quitting is not as simple as they had believed it would be.

Cocaine can be consumed in several ways. The most popular is snorting it although a number of people are introduced to smoking it in a marijuana cigarette. In the mind of someone already on marijuana, this may mask the severity of their choice to add cocaine into their system. Often, addicts will search for ways to increase the feeling of getting high from cocaine. Increasing the amount consumed will do that as will switching to the intravenous method. Also, some addicts who do not want visible signs of their use may even choose to add the cocaine to something they are eating or drinking.

Unfortunately, no matter how the substance is ingested, it can have serious consequences for the user. Increased heart rates can lead to serious heart damage and has been responsible for many heart attacks and related deaths. Users also experience paranoia and brain damage. Often these consequences are not irreversible.

If someone has developed an addiction to cocaine, it probably will have a negative impact on their personal and professional relationships. Divorce and unemployment rates are far higher for those addicted to cocaine than the rest of the population. If you or someone you know has developed a cocaine problem, it is a good idea to seek professional help. This way, the entire addiction can be safely treated and, ideally, the addict can regain a normal life.