AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Expert: Nigel Simmons Date: 1/15/2008 Subject: Pain Pills and Alcohol
Question QUESTION: I know someone who is addicted to pain pills and takes them daily. She also drinks on top of it. Some of the pills are Vicoden, Percaset (spelling), Oxycoten. What is the effect of taking the pills and drinking? How does it hurt the body and what will it do to her? Hope you you can help.
Thank you,
Megan
ANSWER: Megan
I presume you are referring to Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Percocet and Oxycontin (both forms of Oxycodone). All are synthetic opiates and very prone to developing dependence.
Although your friend may have developed a tolerance to the products, the general advice is that it is best not to take alcohol while using the products. The combination would increase the risk of accident or other loss of controls and if driving, would invalidate any insurance etc.
It sounds as though it would be advisible for your friend to see her doctor (not an online consultation) and get a proper assessment of her need for pain relief. If necessary she may need specialist support in coming off the drugs and replacing them with something more appropriate. Also, if her alcohol consumption is excessive or being used as a means to achieve pain relief, then again specialist help may be needed.
As a friend it will be difficult for you to intervene directly, but you will be showing the strength of your friendship if you can encourage her to get things sorted out. It will be much better for her in the long run, and your support and encouragement will be a big help.
I hope this helps.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: This person is my mom. She is an alcoholic and takes the pills not because of any pain. She is just addicted and likes the feeling. I don't know if you have a differnt answer?
Thank you,
Megan
Answer Megan
I'm very sorry to hear of the problems your mother is having. Your concern for her is highly commendable.
In terms of gereral risks and interactions, my advice is unchanged. However if your mother is a heavy user of these products, any insurances for cars etc. may be automatically invalidated.
Opiate addiction is a very serious problem and requires specialist help to bring under control and reverse. As I said, the synthetic opiates are very addictive and it is a personal concern that they are so easily available legally.
Your mother needs to come to terms with her alcohol and drugs problems and then be prepared to go through the many challenges that coming off would present. Sadly I cannot say it will be easy, indeed she may well struggle as her current situation is more pleasurable to her, but this blinds her to the long term damage she is doing to her health and her family.
If your mother wants to seek help, then your family doctor should be able to point you towards the local specialist services and you can support and encourage her through the first steps.
If you feel your mother cannot come to terms with her problems and will not seek help voluntarily, then you will have to try an alterative approach. Firstly, you need to speak to your doctor and outline the position. Hopefully he is also your mother's doctor and while he cannot directly intervene he will be abe to help. If you can be pointed to your local drug and alcohol misuse services, they will be able to give you the support and help approach your mother about her problems. There are also a range of other organisations such as Al-Anon, the family group of Alcoholics Anonymous which may be able to help with the alcohol problem. You can search their details on the internet but Al-Anon is at www.al-anon.alateen.org
The help is there and I hope you and your mother are able to make best use of them.
