Combining cocaine with other drugs is a dangerous practice that can lead to severe health consequences, including fatal overdoses. Here are some of the commonly paired drugs with cocaine and their associated risks:
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium are sometimes used with cocaine to counteract its adverse side effects or alleviate withdrawal symptoms. However, mixing these drugs greatly increases the risk of a lethal overdose and may enhance the negative side effects associated with each drug.
Opiates
Mixing opiates with cocaine is incredibly dangerous and often done to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This combination greatly increases the risk of a fatal overdose and complicates treatment.
Other Drugs
Cocaine is also often used with other drugs, such as marijuana, MDMA or ecstasy, gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine, and other designer drugs. Combining these drugs with cocaine can have unpredictable and dangerous effects on the body, leading to serious health consequences and potentially fatal outcomes.
Alcohol
Cocaine and alcohol are often used together, which can be a lethal combination. When combined, the risk of sudden death due to heart attack or organ failure increases 20 times. Additionally, a cocaine overdose can occur at just one-tenth of the normal cocaine levels when alcohol is involved. The cocaine high can also impair the user's ability to perceive the effects of alcohol, leading to excessive drinking and alcohol poisoning.