call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) for a free referral.
Treatment can help you overcome the effects of codeine and alcohol.
Dangerous side effects may occur if you drink alcohol while taking codeine. There is even a potential risk of fatal overdose occurring if alcohol and codeine are mixed. It’s important to check all food and medicine labels prior to use if you are prescribed codeine or if you are taking the drug for recreational purposes. This drug can impair your thought processes and reactions so you should avoid driving or operating machinery while you are under the influence of codeine, especially until you know how the drug will affect you.
Certain combinations of substances can be fatal and codeine mixed with alcohol is one of those potentially fatal combos. If you have been prescribed codeine or a drug that has codeine in it, it’s very important that you do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking the codeine. Additionally, many of the medications that have codeine mixed in also have high concentrations of acetaminophen which is another dangerous combination when paired with alcohol. Consuming alcoholic beverages while taking large amounts of acetaminophen can lead to liver and kidney damage or renal failure.
Codeine can impair your thinking and your judgment and when paired with alcohol the effects of the drug are magnified. Additionally, alcohol often tends to lower inhibitions so pairing these two substances together can also lead to many behavioral changes that may not work in your best interests. Those who drink while taking codeine are likely to get into trouble as a result of their intoxication or may take part in risky behaviors that otherwise may be out of characteristic for that individual.
Healthcare professionals urge patients not to drink alcoholic beverages while taking most prescription medications including codeine. If you are a heavy drinker, chances are your doctor will not even prescribe codeine for your pain relief because of the inherent dangers associated with drinking alcohol while taking this medication. If you have been prescribed a medication that includes codeine, stay away from alcohol to prevent your risk of potentially fatal consequences.
If you believe that someone you know has taken codeine along with alcohol, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911. The effects of codeine and alcohol could prove to be a deadly combination if left untreated so it’s better to call for help than to risk serious consequences that cannot be reversed.
If you suspect that someone you care about may need treatment for codeine addiction, call our helpline at 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?)
for help. Counselors can assist you in getting the right treatment and care for yourself or for an individual whom you care about.
5 Effects Codeine Addiction Can Have on Your Life -
1. Codeine Overdose Codeine overdose can be deadly. If a person can be treated early enough, the symptoms can be reversed, but this is not always possible. According to the NIDA, “codeine-promethazine cough syrup has been linked to the overdose deaths of some prominent musicians.” Codeine overdose causes extreme respiratory depression. The risk of respiratory failure ... 
Codeine Withdrawal Timeline -
Long term codeine use takes a toll on the body leaving it dependent on the drug’s effects to function normally. For someone who stops using, the body requires a certain amount of time to repair and restore normal functions. Codeine withdrawal symptoms result from this repair process. With ongoing use, a person’s tolerance level and overall ... 
Dangers of Snorting Codeine -
People who use codeine on a regular basis often find themselves ingesting increasingly larger doses of the drug over time. Like all opiate-type drugs, the brain develops an ongoing tolerance of codeine’s effects, so more of the drug is needed to produce the desired “high” effects. After a certain point, codeine in pill form can ... 
Commonly Overlooked Codeine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms -
Codeine addiction withdrawal is a common problem for those who attempt to get sober following extended use of codeine. Some people will not realize that they are actually suffering from withdrawal because they may have been taking codeine for legitimate pain and then stopped when the pain stopped or the problem healed. If you are ... 
Overdose Symptoms -
In rare but potential cases, codeine overdose can occur. The symptoms of codeine overdose may include: difficulty breathing excessive drowsiness or sleepiness losing consciousness losing muscle tone cold & clammy skin fainting or passing out reduced heartbeat bluish lips weakness weak pulse gastrointestinal problems including spasms low blood pressure seizures Before You Call 911 If ...