While several substances are being used legally or illegally, alcohol and cannabis are two of the most frequently used drugs across the globe. However, many people take these drugs together to increase their potency and effects. Using both substances at the same time, known as co-use or polysubstance, can lead to higher substance intake and more negative effects than using either one alone.
Although alcohol and weed may seem safe in moderate amounts, combining them can be dangerous. Many enjoy the stronger effects when mixed, but this combination can lead to serious complications ranging from short to long-term.
In this article, we explore how weed and alcohol interact with each other and what are the dangers of mixing these two common substances.
What Is Weed?
Marijuana, or weed as it is known in its’ street term, is a drug that changes how our mind works. It is a natural substance primarily known for its psychoactive component, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes mind-altering effects. This substance comes from the Cannabis sativa plant that grows in many temperate and tropical regions.
Along with tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, it is one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide and has been utilized for some medical purposes. Some people claim that cannabis can help relieve pain, and in some countries, dronabinol is approved for treating nausea in cancer patients. Cannabis products and THC are regulated internationally to prevent drug abuse and misuse.
Why Do Some People Smoke Weed And Drink Alcohol?
Many people often combine alcohol and marijuana. Marijuana is the most popular substance among those who drink. Clinically, when someone combines one substance with another substance, it is called polysubstance use.
Polysubstance use, such as smoking weed and drinking alcohol, can happen for several reasons. People might mix these substances to boost their effects and to deal with unwanted and potential side effects. Some people might also combine them to manage a mental health condition or to experiment and discover how it feels to mix weed and alcohol.
Sometimes, individuals may not realize that certain substances can interact with their medications. For instance, drinking alcohol can affect how antidepressants work, and nicotine can worsen the side effects of birth control. Using multiple substances raises the risk of negative effects from each one.
The Effects Of Marijuana
Marijuana can impair perception and coordination, leading to difficulties in learning and negative effects on some psychomotor skills. In addition, the effects of cannabis in long-term use may result in physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms when stopping, as well as addiction. Typically, marijuana can either be smoked or ingested.
When marijuana is smoked, THC and other compounds enter our bloodstream from the lungs, then they spread to our various organs and quickly reach the brain, causing effects to be felt almost immediately. Several people report both feelings of euphoria and relaxation. In other cases, the substance can also enhance sensory experiences, laughter, a changed sense of time, and increased hunger, though these can vary widely among individuals.
On the other hand, when marijuana or cannabis is ingested in food or drinks, the effects may take longer to appear. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour before the effects manifest because it must go through the digestive system first. Consuming marijuana this way results in less THC entering the bloodstream compared to smoking the same amount. Due to the delayed onset, users might accidentally consume more THC than they intend to.
The Effects Of Mixing Alcohol And Marijuana
What happens when you mix marijuana and alcohol can lead to negative social effects and may increase mental health problems. There is also a higher chance of developing an alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder.
In addition, using these substances at the same time can also result in consuming larger amounts of both and using them more frequently. Eventually, it can make a person feel more intoxicated than if they used either one alone.
Physiologically, mixing alcohol with any drug can cause that drug to stay in a person’s body longer than usual. This happens because the liver processes alcohol first. The liver prioritizes breaking down alcohol over other substances taken at the same time. Typically, the liver can handle about one ounce of pure alcohol each hour. Therefore, until the alcohol is fully processed, other substances, like marijuana, will not be broken down, and their effects will build up.
Short Term Effects
Both alcohol and cannabis are depressants. They work by slowing down the brain and making the user experience difficulties in thinking clearly. When someone uses weed and alcohol together, the effects of both become stronger. Some of the short-term effects of combining these drugs may include but are not limited to the following:
- Slowed reflexes
- Impaired cognitive functions
- Distorted perception of time
- Poor judgment and decision-making
- Vision problems
- Reduced inhibitions
- Memory problems
- Increased risk of psychotic symptoms
Long Term Effects
When these substances are used continuously, there is a higher chance of experiencing long-term effects, which may lead to severe health consequences.
- Addiction to cannabis and alcohol
- Damages to the brain and various internal organs, such as the liver and lungs
- Risk of developing different types of cancer
- Risk of overdose
- Permanent cognitive impairment, such as short and long-term memory loss
- Suicidal ideation
The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol With Marijuana
Combining alcohol consumption and marijuana use can lead to various health problems, impair our decision-making skills, and drive us to do inappropriate behaviors. However, the consequences of using these substances do not end there, as there are other dangers associated with it, such as:
Bad Reaction
Several factors can influence how smoking weed and drinking alcohol affect people. Hence, our body’s reactions to mixing these substances can vary depending on one’s weight, drug tolerance, and substance use history. However, more often than not, people tend to have bad reactions when these substances are combined.
People who use alcohol and marijuana together can experience negative health effects, from simply having sleep problems to suicidal ideation. Mixing weed and alcohol can also increase the risk of drug dependence, potential development of a substance use disorder, impaired thinking, and other physical health issues.
Greening Out
Drinking alcohol before smoking can also lead to greening out, which is one common effect of smoking marijuana. This is more likely to happen if someone has been drinking beforehand.
Greening out refers to the experience that arises when an individual ingests an excessive amount of cannabis, resulting in various physical and mental symptoms. Typically, people may experience symptoms such as looking pale and sweaty, dizziness, feeling nauseous, and possibly vomiting. This often makes the person want to lie down.
Furthermore, elevated heart rate, feelings of anxiety, and episodes of panic can manifest as well. These symptoms represent the body’s response to an overconsumption of THC, the psychoactive element found in marijuana. People may also experience paranoia, which can further exacerbate the discomfort of the experience.
Although it is generally not considered life-threatening, it can be quite distressing and, in extreme situations, may necessitate medical intervention.
Combining marijuana and alcohol can be very dangerous. It increases the chance of drinking too much, which can result in alcohol poisoning and even death.
Alcohol Poisoning
When someone drinks excessively, and there is too much alcohol in their blood, there is a possibility that they may experience alcohol poisoning. If this happens, critical parts of their brain stop working. Those parts manage essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. It can be very dangerous and even fatal.
When you drink alcohol, it affects your body quickly and strongly. It usually takes about an hour for your body to process less than 0.50 ounces of alcohol. This means that alcohol can enter your bloodstream within about 30 minutes of drinking. If you consume a lot of alcohol in a short period, your body cannot keep up with processing it. It also takes time for your body to eliminate the toxins in alcohol, which makes you feel drunk for a longer time.
Other Risks To Consider
Combining weed and alcohol can also increase the rate of road accidents as the effects of these substances can impair psychomotor skills such as brake latency, distance variability, and the ability to view roads visibly.
Recognize When To Seek Medical Help
It’s not advisable to mix alcohol and cannabis. Using both these substances together can pose a serious threat to one’s health. It is also important to note that mixing them can make it difficult to determine if someone is affected by too much alcohol or too much cannabis.
If you think someone might have greening out, alcohol poisoning, or any other symptoms of combining alcohol and marijuana, whether mild or severe, it’s crucial to get professional help as these can lead to severe consequences such as addiction or even life-threatening situations.
Call us today or schedule a visit at our treatment facility to learn more about the treatment we offer for those who are struggling with the effects of alcohol and marijuana. Remember that several treatments are available, such as alcohol detox, drug detox, and residential treatment, among others.
