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The Effects and Dangers of Mixing Hydrocodone and Alcohol

Medically reviewed by Dr. Po-Chang HsuSeptember 9, 2024
Written by
On September 9, 2024

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • Combining opioids like hydrocodone and alcohol can lead to severe health complications. This makes knowledge of each drug crucial before using either of them
  • Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is known for its mood-altering effects
  • Hydrocodone is a strong opioid that is used for pain relief. It’s often combined with acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Tylenol) or ibuprofen to enhance its effects
  • Hydrocodone does provide pain relief but can also induce drowsiness, respiratory depression, and physical dependence with prolonged use
  • The risks of combining hydrocodone and alcohol include heightened central nervous system depression, increased risk of overdose, liver damage, and potential addiction

Understanding the dangers of mixing opioids like hydrocodone and alcohol is essential for the safe use of these substances. Carelessly combining these drugs can lead to severe health complications. It’s important for you to grasp these risks to make the best decisions about your health and well-being.

Alcohol Defined

Alcohol refers to consumable beverages that contain ethanol, a psychoactive substance that produces the mood-altering effects[1]. Popular alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
Alcohol is consumed socially around the world. It is a popular substance known for its relaxing and mood-altering effects. However, consuming alcohol also carries significant risks, particularly when consumed in excess.

Effects of Consuming Alcohol

Alcohol is known to have a wide range of effects on your body and mind. These effects are dependent on personal factors such as the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed, your tolerance, and your general health. Here are some of the most common effects of consuming alcohol:[2] 

  • Immediate effects:
    • Mood alteration: Alcohol is a depressant that causes relaxation and euphoria. It can also lead to mood swings, irritability, or aggression.
    • Impaired judgment and coordination: Alcohol affects cognitive functions, leading to impaired judgment, decreased inhibitions, and reduced coordination. 
    • Slurred speech: As alcohol impacts your nervous system and motor skills, your speech can become slurred, and thoughts can become difficult to articulate.
    • Drowsiness: Alcohol can cause drowsiness and sedation, making it difficult to stay awake or alert.
  • Delayed effects:
    • Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic. This means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration if insufficient water and other hydrating fluids are consumed.
    • Digestive issues: Alcohol may irritate your gastrointestinal tract. This can result in nausea, vomiting, and gastritis.
    • Hangovers: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in a hangover. A hangover is characterized by a mild to severe headache, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes even a sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Long-term effects:
    • Liver damage: Chronic alcohol use can lead to dangerous liver diseases like fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, specifically, is irreversible and, in some cases, life-threatening.
    • Cardiovascular problems: Long-term heavy drinking is associated with a significantly increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and an increased risk of stroke.
    • Brain damage: Prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to cognitive impairment, memory problems, and changes in brain structure and function. 
    • Mental health issues: Alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. It can also significantly exacerbate existing mental health conditions you may struggle with.
    • Addiction: Continued heavy alcohol use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and alcohol addiction. When suffering from alcohol addiction, you’re unable to function normally without alcohol and will be likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking.

Hydrocodone Drug Facts

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication that is derived from codeine or thebaine. Medical practitioners use it to manage moderate to severe pain in patients. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This dulls your sense of pain and induces feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

Hydrocodone is often combined with acetaminophen or ibuprofen to enhance its analgesic effects. As such, hydrocodone is typically administered orally in various formulations.

Hydrocodone use comes with significant risks, including drowsiness, constipation, and respiratory depression, along with the potential for addiction. Due to these risks, hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.[3] Strict regulation and monitoring are required to ensure safety and use, and medical applications are only allowed.

Effects of Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone, like other opioids, is known to produce a range of effects that can be both therapeutic and potentially harmful. Here are some of the effects of hydrocodone:[4] 

  • Pain relief: Hydrocodone is primarily used by medical professionals to relieve moderate to severe pain. 
  • Euphoria: Hydrocodone can produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. This is useful when recovering from pain but can also contribute to its potential for misuse.
  • Drowsiness: One of the common side effects of hydrocodone is sedation, which can cause drowsiness and impair alertness.
  • Respiratory depression: Hydrocodone can slow down or suppress breathing. This is a significant risk at higher doses or when combined with other depressant substances. This side effect can be life-threatening.
  • Gastrointestinal effects: Like all opioid medications, hydrocodone can cause constipation. It slows down the movement of the digestive system, leading to difficulty in the bathroom.
  • Nausea: You may experience nausea and vomiting as side effects of hydrocodone. 
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness: Hydrocodone can cause you to feel dizziness or lightheadedness. The risk increases if you stand up too quickly.
  • Mood changes: Hydrocodone may affect your mood. You may experience rapid changes like euphoria, irritability, or mood swings.
  • Physical dependence: Prolonged use of hydrocodone can lead to physical dependence. This is when your body adapts to the presence of the drug. When this happens, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when the drug is abruptly stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, sweating, and agitation.
  • Cognitive effects: Hydrocodone can impair cognitive function, including memory, concentration, and judgment.

Risks of Combining Hydrocodone and Alcohol

Combining hydrocodone and alcohol poses multiple significant risks due to their synergistic effects on the central nervous system and other bodily functions. Here are the biggest risks that you take if you mix alcohol and hydrocodone:[5] 

  • Increased central nervous system depression: Both hydrocodone and alcohol are central nervous system depressants. Combining them can lead to a deeper depression of the central nervous system. This may result in slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, and lowered blood pressure, which can itself lead to respiratory depression, coma, or even death.
  • Impaired cognitive function: Hydrocodone and alcohol are known to impair cognitive function, coordination, and judgment ability. When combined, these effects are magnified, which increases the risk of physical injuries.
  • Gastrointestinal Effects: Both substances can irritate your gastrointestinal tract. Combining them may increase your risk of nausea and vomiting.
  • Increased risk of overdose: Mixing hydrocodone and alcohol significantly increases your risk of overdose. Some symptoms of overdose are extreme drowsiness, confusion, shallow breathing, clammy skin, and loss of consciousness. Some overdoses are fatal.
  • Liver damage: Both hydrocodone and alcohol can be toxic to the liver when misused. Combining them increases the risk of liver damage.
  • Addiction and dependence: Both hydrocodone and alcohol have addictive properties. Using them together can increase your likelihood of developing an addiction to one or even to both substances.
  • Behavioral changes: Combining hydrocodone and alcohol can lead to changes in mood and impulsivity. This may cause you to engage in risky behaviors and poor decision-making.

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Medical Content Writer

Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol and Hydrocodone

It is recommended to avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking hydrocodone. If you have taken hydrocodone, it is essential to allow enough time for it to be metabolized and eliminated from your system before you consume any alcohol. The exact time you need to wait is based on factors like your metabolism rate, the dosage of hydrocodone you’ve taken, and many others.

If you consume alcohol while taking hydrocodone, it’s crucial to stop drinking immediately and monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms. Some examples are increased drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. Contact your healthcare provider or seek medical advice promptly, especially if symptoms worsen. Avoid operating machinery or driving. Stay hydrated with water and follow any instructions given by your doctor to navigate this situation safely. Always be cautious with medication use and avoid alcohol when taking hydrocodone or any prescription medication unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Alcohol is known to interact with a wide range of medications beyond hydrocodone. It can amplify or diminish the effects of certain drugs, which can result in unpredictable reactions.[6]

Talk to your healthcare provider or your pharmacist about alcohol’s effects on any prescribed or over-the-counter medications you are taking or plan to take to avoid complications and ensure safe use.

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[1]National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Psychoactive substance. In NCI dictionary of cancer terms. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/psychoactive-substance

[2]National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Appendix D, Table 1. Potential research uses of controlled substances. In Controlled Substances Act (CSA) scheduling. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424847/table/appd.t1/?report=objectonly

[3[4]]National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Introduction to controlled substances. In The Drug Enforcement Administration: History, organization, and operations (p. 1). Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537288/

[5][6]National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Harmful interactions: Mixing alcohol with medicines. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines

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