Ahead of this Halloween weekend - Becky Risley UWE’S specialist drug and alcohol practitioner has put together some trick and treats surrounding drug and alcohol consumption. Avoid the tricks, use the treats!

Trick:

Cocaine and Alcohol used together will produce a third substance called Cocaethylene.
Cocaethylene can force your heart rate and blood pressure to higher levels than cocaine would alone. Cocaethylene is also associated with aggressive behaviour and can ruin sexual performance for both men and women.

Treat:

Drinking water or a soft drink in between each alcoholic drink will slow down the pace you’re drinking at and hydrate your brain and body – drinking water doesn’t sober you up it just prevents you from dehydrating.

Trick
 

It can be hard to tell by looking at MDMA if it is what you think it is. They only way to really know what it is your taking is by checking your substances either at home with reagent kits or by sending them off to WEDINOS. PMA is sometimes sold as MDMA so people take it without knowing it. You can overdose on it at lower doses than MDMA. It also takes longer to kick in so people may think it hasn’t worked and take more which is very dangerous.

Treat

Start with a quarter, sip some water – ecstasy pills can vary in strength, that’s why starting with a quarter is a useful way to protect yourself from taking too much too soon. Drinking water is essential when using MDMA but you don’t want to drink too much.  500ml per hour if you’re on the dance floor.

Trick

Ketamine used with alcohol can be dangerous, ketamine will impact the gag reflex and alcohol is notorious for making you want to be sick, this combination could have severe consequences. If you’re using these 2 substances #startlowgoslow

Treat 

Eating before using drugs or alcohol is the least you can do to take care of yourself. Food will help protect the stomach and give you the energy to get through the rest of the evening. Before a big night out our anxiety can increase which can suppress our appetite, don’t get caught out by not eating dinner because you’re too hyped for the night out.

Trick 

Using more than one drug at a time can increase the risks and change the experience. If you plan to use more than one drug (including alcohol) do your research in to what to expect and how to reduce the risks around this combination.

Treat

Log on to the Drugs + Me website to learn more about drug combinations.

You can watch our 'Let's Talk About Drugs video here https://youtu.be/0_6JP3ndAVc