Alcohol is a drug. When it’s mixed with other substances, the effects don’t just add up — they can multiply. Many overdoses happen because alcohol was combined with something else.
This table shows how alcohol interacts with different drugs and highlights the main risks of mixing them. Some combinations, like alcohol with opioids, benzodiazepines, or GHB, can be life-threatening even in small amounts. Other mixes, like alcohol with stimulants or cannabis, can cause serious health effects, accidents, or unexpected behavior.
The “Harm Reduction Articles” column offers practical tips to reduce risk, such as going slow, staying hydrated, avoiding using alone, and knowing when to seek emergency help.
| Combination | Main Risks | Harm Reduction Notes |
| Alcohol + Opioids (heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone) |
• Slowed or stopped breathing • Loss of consciousness • Very high overdose risk |
• One of the deadliest combinations • Risk even at low amounts • Carry naloxone and don’t use alone |
| Alcohol + Benzos (Xanax, Valium, Ativan) |
• Blackouts and memory loss • Breathing can slow or stop |
• Often mistaken as “safe” • Common cause of accidental death |
| Alcohol + GHB / GBL |
• Sudden unconsciousness • Vomiting while passed out |
• Effects can escalate quickly • High overdose risk |
| Alcohol + Stimulants (cocaine, meth, MDMA) |
• Heart strain • Dehydration and overheating |
• Alcohol feels weaker than it is • Can lead to drinking much more than planned |
| Alcohol + Cocaine |
• Increased risk of heart attack • Liver damage |
• Creates a toxic substance in the body • More dangerous than either alone |
| Alcohol + Ketamine |
• Confusion and accidents • Vomiting and choking risk |
• Risk increases fast with alcohol • Many hospital visits involve this mix |
| Alcohol + Cannabis |
• Dizziness and nausea (“the spins”) • Anxiety or panic |
• Alcohol can increase weed effects • Lower risk than many mixes, but not risk-free |
See more Harm Reduction articles here.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
Discover additional reports, market trends, and crime analysis on DarkDotWeb to stay informed about the latest dark web operations.
