Cocaine + Alcohol Facts

What is cocaethylene?

Simply put, Cocaethylene is a product of cocaine and alcohol use that is created in your liver.


Cocaethylene is a psychoactive metabolite formed when alcohol (ethanol) and cocaine are taken together. It develops in the liver as a result of the metabolism of cocaine being altered by the presence of alcohol. As individuals continue to drink alcohol, this continued alcohol consumption begins to disrupt the elimination of Cocaethylene in the liver, and it begins to pass from the liver into the bloodstream where it can affect a number of tissues and organs.


For further information, please watch the video below:


How do I know if Cocaethylene is in my system?

You don't! One of the most frightening things about Cocaethylene, is that you are unaware that it is travelling through your system. But if you take both cocaine and alcohol together, Cocaethylene is created when the two metabolise. You can't see how it is affecting your mind and body and you can't see it affecting someone else either.

How can cocaethylene affect me?

Studies show that Cocaethylene toxicity is 30% more than Cocaine alone. As Cocaethylene begins to spread through your system, it can cause:

  • increased blood pressure & heart rate
  • A greater risk of having a stroke
  • It can prevent the heart muscle from contracting
  • Can lead to liver damage


As Cocaethylene reaches the brain it can cause:

  • Impulsive urges
  • Reckless behaviour
  • Violence
  • Artificial disaster thoughts
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Suicidal impulses
  • SUICIDE


More facts:


  • When cocaine is taken with alcohol, the blood concentration of cocaine increases by approximately 20%. This places even greater strain on blood vessels and the heart, increasing blood pressure and making the heart work harder.


  • As with cocaine, Cocaethylene blocks the re-uptake of dopamine in the brain, associated with the mood-altering affects that can become addictive.


  • Once formed, Cocaethylene stays in the body three to five times longer than cocaine.


  • Alcohol and cocaine increase cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone – over time, elevated cortisol levels can damage the immune system, blood pressure, heart, brain function and more.


  • Increased media attention and reports suggest the suicide risk is much higher – in April 2019, a coroner found that Love Island star, Sophie Gradon, took her own life after consuming alcohol and cocaine. The coroner said that US research indicated that the combination of alcohol and cocaine could increase the risk of suicide by 16 times.


  • A Brown University study in the US in 2016 found that people who misused alcohol and cocaine together had 2.4 times the risk of suicide




Education

We will look to deliver our message in as many ways as we can, via social media, podcast, interviews, conference talks, media engagement - literally we want everybody to not only hear this message but to fully take it on board.

Support

We have support resources and offer a 1:1 free six week coaching and empowerment programme.


We will also advocate for you to ensure you get the help you need from mainstream health services. If you are experiencing trauma and / or grief please do contact us



NOTE: this is not a 24 hour service so if you have an urgent need, please contact emergency services.

Community

Community is the family that goes beyond family. It is the people and places that we come in contact with each and every day. When we strengthen communities, we strengthen individuals.

We are collaborating behind the scenes on a local, national and international level to form strong bonds and engage with research to promote global awareness of the impact of Cocaethylene.


To learn more from the Co-Alc Alliance click the button below.

Co-Alc Alliance
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