Getting Help For Cocaine and Alcohol Addiction

Worried About Your Cocaine and Alcohol Use? Here’s How to Get Help

If you’ve found yourself using cocaine and alcohol together and you’re starting to worry about where it’s leading, then you’re certainly not alone. Many people mix the two because one seems to balance out the other, alcohol can soften cocaine’s anxious comedown, while cocaine can make you feel less intoxicated after drinking.

But over time, this combination can take a serious toll. The risks to your health, mental wellbeing and relationships often build slowly until they become impossible to ignore. What might have started as a way to relax or have fun can begin to feel like something you can’t control.

This page is for anyone concerned about cocaine and alcohol use and looking for clear information about the risks, the signs to look out for, and how to get help. At Abbington House, we provide safe, confidential and compassionate treatment for people who want to break free from addiction and start building a healthier future.

Why Cocaine and Alcohol Are Used Together

Cocaine’s stimulating effects can make people feel more awake and less drunk than they really are, while alcohol often softens cocaine’s anxious comedown. Together, they create a false sense of control, leading people to believe they can drink or use more without consequence.

In reality, the risks multiply. Impaired judgment and reduced inhibitions make binge use and accidents far more likely, while the body produces cocaethylene, a toxic chemical formed when cocaine and alcohol mix in the liver that is especially harmful to the heart.

What might start as a social or recreational habit can quickly spiral into a pattern that becomes difficult to break without professional help.

Risks and Consequences of Using Cocaine and Alcohol Together

Mixing cocaine and alcohol puts the body under significant strain and can lead to serious, long-term health consequences. Some of the main risks include:

Physical Health Risks

• Heart problems: Cocaethylene, the chemical formed when both substances mix, is toxic to the heart and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Liver damage: The liver has to work harder to process both substances, increasing the risk of long-term liver disease.
• High blood pressure & cardiovascular strain: Using both together puts major stress on the heart and circulatory system.

Mental Health Consequences

• Anxiety and depression: Both substances can worsen underlying mental health conditions or trigger new ones.
• Paranoia and mood swings: Cocaine’s stimulant effects combined with alcohol’s depressant effects often lead to emotional instability.
• Addiction cycle: The contrasting effects make stopping harder, fuelling cravings for both substances.

Impact on Life and Relationships

• Work problems: Absences, mistakes and reduced productivity often follow heavy use.
• Financial strain: Cocaine and alcohol dependency can become expensive quickly.
• Relationship breakdowns: Substance use often damages trust, communication and stability at home.

Signs You Might Need Help

It isn’t always easy to know when recreational use has crossed the line into something more serious. If you’re worried about cocaine and alcohol use – for yourself or someone you care about – here are some warning signs to look out for:

In Yourself:

• Using cocaine and alcohol more frequently or in larger amounts than planned.
• Finding it hard to stop once you start.
• Feeling anxious, low or irritable when you’re not using.
• Noticing health problems such as heart palpitations, memory lapses or mood swings.
• Work, relationships or finances beginning to suffer because of your use.

In a Loved One:

• Sudden changes in behaviour, sleep patterns or appearance.
• Secretive habits or unexplained financial difficulties.
• Mood swings, aggression or withdrawal from family life.
• Frequent hangovers, illnesses or “disappearing” for long periods.

If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to reach out for professional support. Help is available and recovery is possible with the right treatment and guidance.

Why Specialist Treatment Matters

Cocaine and alcohol affect the body and mind in very different ways, and when both are used together, the risks and challenges increase. That’s why trying to quit without professional help can feel impossible.

At Abbington House, we understand that recovery isn’t just about stopping substances; it’s about stabilising your health, understanding the reasons behind your use and learning new ways to cope. Our team provides a safe, structured environment where you can take the time you need to recover properly, with medical support if alcohol detox is required and evidence-based therapies to help break the cycle for good.

Specialist treatment also addresses mental health concerns that often accompany cocaine and alcohol use, such as anxiety, depression or trauma, so you can start to heal on every level physically, mentally and emotionally.

Treatment Pathway at Abbington House

Recovery begins with understanding your situation fully. At Abbington House, every client starts with a comprehensive assessment so we can create a treatment plan that’s tailored to you.

For some people, alcohol detox is the first step. Because alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, our medically supervised detox ensures you are safe and supported throughout the process. Cocaine detox focuses on mental and emotional stabilisation rather than physical withdrawal, so psychological support is key here.

Once detox is complete – or if it isn’t needed – you’ll move into our residential programme. Here, therapy, group work and holistic treatments help you understand the underlying causes of addiction and develop the tools to stay sober long-term.

Families can be part of the process too. We offer family support sessions so loved ones can understand addiction better and feel involved in your recovery. Before you leave, we work with you to create a detailed aftercare and relapse prevention plan, so you’re supported well beyond your time at Abbington House.

Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis

Cocaine and alcohol addiction often go hand in hand with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression or the after-effects of trauma. For some people, substance use begins as a way to cope with these feelings. Over time, though, it can make mental health symptoms worse – creating a cycle that’s hard to break alone.

At Abbington House, we treat mental health and addiction together, because lasting recovery depends on addressing both. Our team includes experienced therapists who can help you work through underlying issues, develop healthier coping strategies and rebuild your emotional wellbeing alongside your physical recovery.

​​Why Families Choose Abbington House

Choosing a treatment centre can feel overwhelming, especially when someone you care about is struggling. Families tell us they chose Abbington House because of our personalised care, our experienced team and the fact that many of our staff have lived experience of recovery themselves.

We understand how addiction affects the whole family, not just the person using substances. That’s why we offer family support throughout the treatment process so loved ones feel informed, involved and reassured every step of the way.

Above all, families value that Abbington House provides a safe, structured and compassionate environment where recovery is possible and people are treated with dignity and respect.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction, help is closer than you think. At Abbington House, we combine professional expertise with compassion and lived experience, offering a safe place to step away from addiction and start building a new future.

Begin Your Recovery today.