Vicodin and alcohol are psychoactive substances that slow down the function of the central nervous system (CNS). For this reason, these should never be taken together. Combining them may endanger your life by suppressing the areas of the brain that regulate breathing and other life-sustaining functions.
This article will discuss the interaction between Vicodin and alcohol at length and explain the main health risks this drug combination can expose you to.
What Is Vicodin?
Vicodin is a prescription drug containing acetaminophen and hydrocodone, a potent and highly addictive semi-synthetic opioid. Prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain resistant to non-opioid pain relievers, it comes in tablets containing 300 mg acetaminophen and 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of hydrocodone, sold as Vicodin®, Vicodin® ES, and Vicodin® HP, respectively.
The acetaminophen/hydrocodone combination is marketed under other brands, such as Norco® and Lortab®. It is also available as a generic drug, not only as a tablet but also as an oral solution.
Vicodin relieves pain by interacting with the opioid receptors in the CNS, thereby preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
Despite its potency, Vicodin is dangerous and addictive. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction.
For this reason, you should take Vicodin strictly as directed. Given that all hydrocodone products can lead to opioid dependence and addiction even when taken as prescribed, it’s in your best interest to explore other treatment options before opting for opioid therapy.
Vicodin Usage in the USA
Here are some statistics that illustrate the extent of Vicodin usage and abuse in the United States:
- In 2022, 3.7 million Americans above the age of 12 abused Vicodin and other hydrocodone products, making hydrocodone the most commonly misused prescription pain reliever that year.
- More than 81,800 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose involving opioids like Vicodin in 2022. Read our article to learn more about the symptoms and risks of Vicodin overdose.
- Vicodin is the most frequently prescribed opioid medication in the United States. Close to 26.6 million acetaminophen/hydrocodone prescriptions have been issued to more than 8.6 million Americans in 2021 alone.
- Acetaminophen/hydrocodone comprised 41.5% of all opioid prescriptions in 2016 and 2017. Although Vicodin prescription rates are undeniably staggering, they have fallen by 14.1% between 2006 and 2017.
Side Effects of Using Vicodin
Some common side effects of using Vicodin include:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Trouble urinating
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
Furthermore, Vicodin can cause euphoria and deep relaxation by triggering dopamine release. Mixing alcohol with Vicodin can amplify the sedative effects of both drugs, potentially leading to severe dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired motor function.
Vicodin can also cause allergic reactions and other severe side effects that may require immediate medical care. If you experience any unwanted effects after taking your medication, consult with your doctor.
How Long Do Vicodin Effects Last?
Vicodin effects last 4–6 hours on average. However, certain factors may affect the duration of its effects. These include:
- Age
- Metabolism
- Liver function
- The amount, duration, and frequency of Vicodin use
Moreover, polysubstance abuse, i.e., taking Vicodin with other substances without the doctor’s approval, may impact your body’s ability to metabolize opioids. Therefore, the combination of Vicodin and alcohol may also alter the duration and intensity of its effects.
Before diving deeper into the interaction between Vicodin and alcohol, let’s learn more about alcohol and how it works.
What Is Alcohol, and How Does It Work?
Alcohol—also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol—is a depressant drug. It is produced by fermenting the sugars found in grains, vegetables, or fruits with the help of yeasts, resulting in different alcoholic beverages. For instance, grains are used to make beer, whereas wine is made from fermented grapes.
As a depressant drug, alcohol works by slowing down CNS function, leading to relaxation, disinhibition, slowed reaction time, slurred speech, and impaired coordination. While low amounts of alcohol can induce a sense of euphoria and make you more talkative, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to poor judgment, sedation, vomiting, and even unconsciousness.
Most people begin to feel these short-term effects of alcohol within 10–45 minutes, depending on the strength of the beverage and the amount consumed. It typically takes 2–6 hours for the effects of moderate alcohol consumption to wear off.
Moreover, long-term alcohol use may increase the risk of:
- Cancer
- Seizures
- Liver damage
- Weight changes
- High blood pressure
- Cognitive impairment
- Cardiovascular disease
Although alcohol is not considered a controlled substance in the United States, it can lead to abuse and dependence, especially when consumed excessively over a prolonged time. People with a family history of alcohol abuse and dependence may be more susceptible to alcohol use disorder (AUD), as it has a genetic component.
Dangers of Mixing Vicodin and Alcohol
The main dangers of mixing Vicodin and alcohol include the increased risk of serious side effects, respiratory depression, opioid overdose, and death. Mixing Vicodin and alcohol is never safe; this combination can have life-threatening consequences, even in minimal amounts.
The combination of Vicodin and alcohol is extremely risky, as both drugs act as CNS depressants. Since alcohol and Vicodin can enhance each other’s effects, taking them together can dangerously slow down brain function.
At worst, this drug combination can suppress the parts of your brain responsible for vital functions, such as breathing. If your brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, you may sustain permanent brain damage. Mixing Vicodin and alcohol can also impair the function of other organs, including the heart.
Moreover, taking Vicodin with other substances, including alcohol, significantly increases the risk of opioid overdose. Some signs of hydrocodone overdose include respiratory depression (slowed, shallow breathing), skin and nail discoloration, and pinpoint pupils. Without prompt medical help, opioid overdose can result in coma, brain damage, and death.
Combining Vicodin with alcohol can also lead to confusion, impaired cognitive and motor skills, delusions, and poor decision-making, enhancing the risk of accidents and injuries. Alcohol may also alter how your body absorbs and processes opioids, which is why this drug combination can have unpredictable effects.
Effects of Mixing Vicodin and Alcohol
Common short-term effects of mixing Vicodin and alcohol include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Dehydration
- Hallucinations
- Slurred speech
- Slowed reflexes
- Loss of coordination
- Heart rate abnormalities
- Increased blood pressure
- Impaired judgment and cognition
Long-Term Effects of Vicodin and Alcohol Abuse
Some common long-term effects of Vicodin and alcohol abuse include the increased risk of organ damage, cognitive impairment, and substance use disorders (SUD).
Let’s discuss the effects of chronic Vicodin and alcohol abuse in more detail:
- Organ damage. Since Vicodin contains acetaminophen and, like alcohol, is metabolized in the liver, this drug combination can lead to hepatotoxicity and other liver problems. It also increases the risk of heart, gastrointestinal, kidney, and brain damage.
- Cognitive impairment. When taken together, Vicodin and alcohol can hinder your ability to think, use judgment, and make decisions. Long-term abuse of these substances can cause memory loss and other cognitive problems.
- Dependence and addiction. Mixing Vicodin and alcohol can increase the risk of both alcohol and opioid use disorder (OUD).
- Work and relationship problems. Chronic polysubstance abuse can decrease the quality of your life, making it difficult to keep up with familial and professional obligations. It can lead to strained relationships, unemployment, and financial problems, among other negative consequences.
- Exacerbation of mental health conditions. The combination of Vicodin and alcohol can exacerbate any mental health conditions you’re suffering from, such as anxiety or depression.
What Does Vicodin Dependence Look Like?
Vicodin dependence typically looks like the inability to function normally without the drug, yet it is not the same as Vicodin addiction. Opioid dependence differs from opioid addiction in that it is physical.
Repeated exposure to opioids like Vicodin stimulates the production of opioid receptors. As the number of opioid receptors grows, so does opioid tolerance, which is the first sign of dependence. People dependent on Vicodin need increasingly larger doses of it to continue feeling the same effects as before. Needless to say, this often leads to opioid abuse.
Moreover, Vicodin dependence is characterized by the presence of withdrawal symptoms upon drug discontinuation. Vicodin withdrawal symptoms such as fever, body aches, cravings, insomnia, etc., and can be extremely uncomfortable, prompting people to continue taking the drug just to avoid physical and psychological distress.
It is vital to treat Vicodin dependence. Otherwise, it can develop into Vicodin addiction.
Vicodin Addiction
Vicodin addiction is a treatable condition marked by compulsive opioid use. Though heartbreaking, those addicted to Vicodin lose control over their opioid use and keep taking it, even when it damages their relationships, careers, and so forth.
Some tell-tale signs of Vicodin addiction include:
- Struggling to cut down on or stop Vicodin use
- Taking Vicodin despite the negative consequences
- Failing to meet personal or professional obligations
- Showing little to no interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Developing a preoccupation with obtaining or using Vicodin
- Mixing Vicodin with alcohol or other substances to enhance its effects or abusing it in other ways
ANR – The Most Effective Opioid Dependence Treatment
If you’re looking for a safe and effective opioid dependence treatment, look no further—there’s no better option than Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR).
ANR is a groundbreaking treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann that targets the root of opioid dependence. It has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide return to an opioid-free life within a matter of days—the average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts just 36 hours!
ANR is the only treatment that brings the brain back to its pre-addiction state by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system. Since it repairs the damage Vicodin or other opioids cause to the brain, it eliminates opioid withdrawal symptoms—including cravings—and does not lead to relapse. As such, ANR has an extremely high success rate.
Effectiveness isn’t the only advantage of ANR; this treatment is also scientifically proven to be very safe. It is tailored to each patient individually, making it suitable for virtually anyone—even those with complex medical problems.
Moreover, the ANR treatment is performed by highly experienced board-certified medical professionals in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals, ensuring the utmost patient safety.
Ready to free yourself from opioid dependence? Contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
Long-term abuse of Vicodin and alcohol can have devastating—and sometimes even irreversible—effects on your physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being.
That said, taking these substances together just once is enough to put your life on the line. Therefore, you should not drink alcohol while taking Vicodin or other opioids under any circumstances.
Before you leave, let’s reiterate the key points we covered:
- Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) is a potent combination painkiller prescribed to control moderate-to-severe pain.
- Mixing Vicodin and alcohol increases the risk of opioid overdose, accidents, organ damage, serious side effects, and death.
- If you’re struggling with Vicodin dependence, ANR can help you overcome it safely and effectively by bringing your endorphin-receptor system back to balance.
Vicodin and Alcohol FAQ
If you’re taking Vicodin, talk to your healthcare provider to find out how long you should wait before drinking alcohol. Each body metabolizes opioids at a different pace; your metabolism, the extent of opioid use, and other individual factors may affect how long Vicodin stays in your system. Do not combine Vicodin and alcohol, as this may have potentially fatal consequences.
Vicodin is a prescription opioid that also acts as a CNS depressant. It can slow down the function of the brain, heart, and respiratory system, especially when taken in large doses. Taking Vicodin and drinking alcohol can also dramatically increase the risk of opioid overdose, and other life-threatening adverse effects.
Some painkillers that shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol include opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen. If you aren’t sure how the pain medication you’re taking might interact with alcohol, consult with your doctor.
Some examples of substances you should not mix with Vicodin include alcohol, other opioids, and benzodiazepines. Also, do not mix Vicodin with other medications that contain acetaminophen, as this may lead to acetaminophen toxicity and liver injury. For your own safety, do not take Vicodin with any medications or herbal supplements without consulting your doctor.
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