Opiate is a class of drug that is often combined with alcohol. Opiates include heroin, codeine, morphine, Vicodin and OxyContin. Usually, people take opiate painkillers to manage their pain injuries, but some users find greater relief when it is combined with alcohol. According to National Criminal Justice Reference Service, coupling these two drugs can increase the sedative effects of alcohol which heightens the chances of overdose, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure.

Opiate painkillers combined with alcohol can increase the risk of overdose, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure.

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Deadly combination: the mixture of drugs and alcohol

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