What many don’t realise is that when you take both cocaine and alcohol together, the liver creates a toxic mix known as cocaethylene. According to drugs charity WithYou, it makes the effects of alcohol and cocaine last longer but be more unpredictable. This chemical stays in the body for a longer period than cocaine alone, increases the chances of suffering a heart attack, and can damage the liver, heart and kidneys. It worryingly also can increase a person’s likelihood of inflicting self-harm or suicide. Millie Gooch, a sobriety advocate and founder of Sober Girl Society, shared her research and concerns about cocaethylene in a recent Tedx Talk. She noted that two former Love Island contestants who died by suicide had cocaine in their systems, something that was reported on at the time. Whilst not blamed for their untimely deaths, it’s vital information as the chances of acting on suicidal thoughts rise by 16 fold in the 24-hour period after taking both alcohol and cocaine. Gooch wants better awareness and understanding. Academics are concerned too, as Dr Rayyan Zafar recently told Mixmag that without realising it “people are more addicted to cocaethylene than they are to cocaine or alcohol,” adding that around 90% of cocaine users take it while drinking. Many cocaine users don’t know what it actually feels like to have it alone, as what’s happening internally is cocaethylene production.
