Dangers of Mixing Percocet and Alcohol

Combining alcohol with Percocet can lead to serious reactions, ranging from mild to life-threatening symptoms.

Both Percocet and alcohol carry their own set of risks and side effects. However, when combined, they can create a new host of negative reactions. When used in excess, this combination of substances is particularly dangerous. Mixing alcohol with Percocet can lead to mild symptoms, like constipation, or life-threatening issues, like respiratory depression, coma and death.

What are the Side Effects of Percocet and Alcohol?

The side effects of using Percocet or alcohol can include:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Numbness
• Impaired thinking and judgment
• Constipation
• Low blood pressure
• Depressed respiration
• Liver failure
• Heart attack
• Liver problems
• Colon cancer
• Coma
• Death

Any of these effects can exacerbate when alcohol and Percocet are taken together. Mixing these substances can increase the risk of serious side effects and result in death.

Percocet is a combination of oxycodone, a prescription opioid, and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter non-opioid pain reliever. Alcohol interacts with each of these in a unique way.

Alcohol and Oxycodone

Both alcohol and oxycodone induce a sense of relaxation, and alcohol can heighten Percocet’s sedative effects. This can happen to point of being dangerous, leading to respiratory depression. Respiratory depression is where a person’s breathing slows down, becomes shallow or irregular, or even stops, causing oxygen deprivation. Without immediate medical attention, this could lead to death.

Other possible consequences include passing out, which could cause physical injury by falling, or vomiting while unconscious, which could lead to choking.

Alcohol and Acetaminophen

Because Percocet contains acetaminophen, combining the two also runs the risk of liver damage and damage to the stomach linking. This is due to the liver’s role in breaking down both acetaminophen and alcohol. Studies have linked both substances to liver damage, so combining the two can heighten the damage.

Both drugs are addictive on their own, so, in conjunction, they can create a dangerous cycle of dependence that could leave you debilitated in more ways than one.

Dangers of Mixing Percocet and Alcohol

Percocet displays warning labels against combining it with alcohol. While alcohol is a normal part of life for many, it doesn’t come without risks.

In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that 88,000 deaths a year are attributed to alcohol, making it the fourth-largest preventable killer in the United States.

When it is added alongside prescription drugs like Percocet, it is even more lethal. Impaired judgment can make it difficult to remember the last dose of medication and can lead some to overuse both substances.

Using alcohol in combination with the opioid painkiller puts you at higher risk for both overdose and alcohol poisoning, which can lead to death. If you or someone you know has developed an unhealthy relationship to either or both substances, it is important to seek help to overcome potential addiction and misuse.

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help. If you do not have access to a phone contact Web Poison Control Services for online assistance.

Signs of Percocet and Alcohol Addiction

There are various signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse of Percocet and/or alcohol.

Signs and symptoms of Percocet abuse:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Slowed and shallow breathing
• Sweating
• Constricted pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Mood Swings

Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Sexually risky behavior
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Cravings
• Long memory blackouts
• Drinking alone

Treatment for Percocet and Alcohol Addiction

There are a variety of treatment options for alcohol and prescription drug abuse. If you are addicted to either or both substances, the first step toward healing medical detox, a supervised process that allows you to safely and medically transition away from harmful substances. Medically monitored detox can help with the discomfort associated with drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

After a thorough detox, you can transition into a residential or outpatient treatment program to continue therapy and learn how to thrive without the binds of alcohol and Percocet.

The Recovery Village has a collection of centers across the United States specializing in treating drug and alcohol addiction, along with co-occurring disorders (addiction and mental health issues together).

If you need more information about treatment options or are ready to seek help, contact The Recovery Village to speak with an intake coordinator who can help you identify the best course of action.

Editor – Renee Deveney

As a contributor for Advanced Recovery Systems, Renee Deveney is passionate about helping people struggling with substance use disorder. With a family history of addiction, Renee is committed to opening up a proactive dialogue about substance use and mental health. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN

Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles within the ICU and ER settings. Read more