Page 25 - Manage Licenced Premises Learner Workbook

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EFFECTS OF MIXING ALCOHOL WITH DRUGS Illegal drugs – when mixing these with alcohol the user
Medicines or prescription drugs - it can be dangerous often loses judgement about how much they are drinking
to drink alcohol if you are taking prescription or over so they are at greater risk of alcohol poisoning. Refuse to
the counter medicines as they may have more than serve anyone you believe is under the influence of drugs.
one ingredient that can react with it. Effects of mixing Effects of mixing illegal drugs and alcohol include:
medicines and alcohol include:
Illegal drug Possible effects of
Prescription drug Possible effects of mixing with alcohol
mixing with alcohol Marijuana, cannabis • Feeling dizzy and/or

Allergy, cold, flu and cough • Feeling drowsy (sleepy) nauseous. Vomiting.
medicines and/or dizzy (off • Feelings of panic,
balance). anxiety or paranoia
• Increased risk of (mistrust and suspicion
overdose. of others for no
reason).
Pain relief medicines • Stomach upset,
(for muscle aches, fever, bleeding and ulcers. Ecstasy, E (MDMA) • A very bad hangover.
inflammation) • Damage to the liver. • Ecstasy and
• Fast heartbeat. alcohol both cause
dehydration (drying out
of the body), together
High blood pressure • Feeling drowsy and/or
medicines dizzy. Fainting they can cause
• Heart problems such dangerous dehydration
as changes to the and overheating.
regular heartbeat. Alcohol is involved in
most ecstasy related
deaths.
Diabetes medicine • Very low blood sugar
levels.
• Feeling nauseous, ‘P’, amphetamine, speed. • Breathing, blood
sick), vomiting, a pressure and heart
headache. rate all speed up.
• Fast heartbeat, sudden • Increased body
changes in blood temperature can cause
pressure. dehydration.
• Out of control
behaviour caused by
feeling over-confident,
paranoid or aggressive
(angry).
• Puts great stress on
the heart that can
cause death.

Cocaine • Feeling depressed or
aggressive.
• Puts great stress on
the heart and liver for
up to 12 hours.
• A risk of heart attacks
and fits and even
sudden death.

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