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[Cocaine and alcohol: an explosive cocktail!]
C Giroud1, T Colassis, L Rivier
1Laboratoire de toxicologie analytique, Université de Lausanne.
Schweizerische Rundschau Fur Medizin Praxis = Revue Suisse De Medecine Praxis
|April 13, 1993
Summary
Concurrent cocaine and alcohol abuse is common and dangerous. Ethylcocaine, a cocaine metabolite formed with alcohol, is highly lethal, increasing risks of accidents and death.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Forensic Science
Context:
- Cocaine is a widely abused drug that affects the dopaminergic system.
- Concurrent use of cocaine and alcohol leads to the formation of ethylcocaine, a potent metabolite.
- Ethylcocaine has been shown to be more lethal than cocaine itself.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and impact of combined cocaine and alcohol abuse.
- To analyze the detection of cocaine and its metabolites in impaired driving cases.
- To highlight the risks associated with ethylcocaine formation and its contribution to toxicity.
Summary:
- Cocaine inhibits dopamine reuptake, leading to overstimulation. Co-ingestion with alcohol produces ethylcocaine, a highly lethal metabolite.
- Radioimmunoassays and GC/MS are used to detect cocaine abuse.
- Recent cases involved individuals with high blood alcohol content detected with cocaine and ethylcocaine, indicating a dangerous combination.
Impact:
- Concurrent alcohol and cocaine use significantly increases morbidity and mortality.
- Physicians should advise patients against using this lethal mixture.
- Further epidemiological studies are needed in Switzerland to understand the full impact of this drug combination.