Pints and packet: This is why alcohol makes you want cocaine

Picture the scene. You’re in the pub with your pals having a couple of quiet pints when suddenly a sneaky thought creeps in. Suddenly you get an urge to get the bags in. Maybe you mention the possibility of picking up cocaine as a joke to your mates. Maybe they also suggest it. It doesn’t matter how it starts as before you know it, it’s 5am, the ceiling’s spinning and what started as a couple of beers turned into an all-night bender. As it happens, there’s actual science behind why alcohol makes you want cocaine.

Taking coke with alcohol can produce a different kind of high

When you drink and take cocaine at the same time, another chemical is produced- cocaethylene. The effects of cocaethylene are similar to that of cocaine, but it can give a stronger and longer-lasting high.

Rayyan Zafar, a PhD Fellow specialising in neuropsychopharmacology, told THE FACE: “Once you have tried that combination a few times, it’s hard for your brain to forget that, because this craving can kick in.”

The urge could be triggered by positive associations with a place like the pub

“Our brains are very good at remembering situations where lots of dopamine is released,” Zafar told THE FACE.

“This is for our survival. But as alcohol and cocaine causes that, the environments we are in when we use it such as a pub or being with certain mates are enough to trigger wanting to get it.”

It’s often just harder to say no

Alcohol makes you disinhibited and more relax. That makes it harder to say no when the idea of coke is floated in conversation.

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Mixing alcohol and cocaine is risky

Cocaine on it’s own increases your heart rate, raises your blood pressure and increases your risk of having a heart attack.

Cocatheylene actually increases your risk of having a heart attack further. Taking coke with booze can also make you want to drink more which brings with it more risks. Stay safe on the sesh x

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