What Happens When You're Drunk AND Stoned (At The Same Time)

What Happens When You’re Drunk AND Stoned (At The Same Time)

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Marijuana

It’s a Friday night and you’re out at the club with friends. The music is pounding, the drinks are flowing, and you’re feeling good – maybe a little too good. As you stumble to the bathroom, you pull out your trusty weed pipe, thinking a little cannabis will help you sober up and get home safely. But is that really the best idea?

Mixing alcohol and marijuana, often referred to as “cross-fading”, can have some serious consequences that many people don’t fully understand. In this in-depth blog post, we’ll dive into the science behind the effects of combining these two substances, the risks involved, and why it’s best to avoid the temptation to indulge in both at the same time.

The Rise of Weed and Alcohol Use

To set the stage, let’s first look at the current landscape of substance use in the United States. According to the data:

There are an estimated 220 million weed users worldwide, more than ever before.
Around 17% of Americans report using cannabis regularly.
Newsweek recently reported that “Americans now smoke weed more than they drink alcohol” – a notable increase over the last few decades.
At the same time, 62% of all U.S. adults still drink alcohol, and 29 million suffer from alcohol abuse disorder.
There are approximately 178,000 alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. each year, as well as 4-5 million alcohol-related ER visits.

So while weed may be seen by some as a “safer” alternative to alcohol, the reality is that both substances are widely used and come with their own unique risks, especially when combined.

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The Cognitive Impacts of Mixing Weed and Alcohol

The primary concern with mixing alcohol and marijuana is not necessarily the physical toll on the body, but rather the psychological and neurological impacts. Let’s break down how each substance affects cognitive function on its own, and what happens when they’re used together.

Weed and Cognitive Function

As any regular weed smoker knows, being high can significantly impact coordination, reaction time, and overall cognitive abilities. Studies have found that “acute cannabis use was associated with slower reaction time” and that “cannabis use has been shown to impair cognitive functions on a number of levels,” including:

The ability to plan and organize
Problem-solving skills
Decision-making
Memory
Emotional control and behavior

Alcohol and Cognitive Function

Similarly, alcohol is well-known to impair higher-level cognitive functions, especially in higher doses. Alcohol affects the cerebral cortex of the brain, essentially reducing reasoning capabilities and inhibitions. In other words, it makes you feel more reckless and less in control.

The Dangerous Combination

Now, when you combine the cognitive-impairing effects of both weed and alcohol, the results can be disastrous. Studies have found that the two substances “enhance each other” – meaning that the level of intoxication and cognitive dysfunction is greater than the sum of its parts.

One study found that when participants consumed both alcohol and cannabis, their THC levels were almost double that of those who only used cannabis. This suggests that alcohol can amplify the psychoactive effects of weed, making the user feel even more impaired.

Additionally, research has consistently shown that the combination of alcohol and cannabis leads to significantly worse cognitive performance compared to using either substance alone. This includes:

Poorer reaction time and coordination
Decreased ability to plan, organize, and problem-solve
Impaired memory and emotional control

In short, the cognitive risks of mixing weed and alcohol are far greater than the risks of using them separately. This has serious implications, especially when it comes to activities like driving.

The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence

One of the most concerning consequences of combining alcohol and marijuana is the impact on driving ability. The statistics are alarming:

In 2022, 37 people a day died in alcohol-impaired driving accidents in the U.S.
From 2000 to 2018, the percentage of U.S. crash deaths involving cannabis went up from 9% to just over 21%.
From 2010 to 2021, marijuana-related traffic accidents that involved an ER visit increased by a whopping 475%.
Studies have found that “deadly car crashes involving both cannabis and alcohol consumption” have more than doubled in the U.S. over the past 20 years.

Researchers in the Netherlands conducted a particularly risky study, sending participants who were high on cannabis out on public highways. The results were terrifying – 16 of the tests had to be shut down for safety reasons, as the stoned drivers were unable to maintain control of their vehicles.

Another study had participants consume varying amounts of alcohol and cannabis, then tested their driving performance. Unsurprisingly, those who had both substances performed the worst, with significantly impaired driving ability compared to those who only used one or the other.

The bottom line is clear: driving under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana is exponentially more dangerous than driving under the influence of either substance alone. The cognitive impairments caused by this combination can be deadly, both for the driver and for anyone else on the road.

Other Risks of Cross-Fading

While the driving risks are perhaps the most concerning, there are several other potential dangers associated with mixing weed and alcohol:

Increased Sensation-Seeking Behavior

Studies have shown that combining alcohol and cannabis can lead to increased “sensation-seeking” behavior. In other words, people tend to take more risks and engage in more reckless activities when they’re cross-faded.

This could manifest in a variety of ways, from unprotected sex to other dangerous behaviors. One study found that people who used both alcohol and marijuana were “about twice as likely to drive drunk than those who just drank.”

Vertigo and Nausea

The combination of alcohol and cannabis can also lead to unpleasant physical effects, such as intense vertigo, dizziness, and nausea. This is sometimes referred to as a “green out” or “whitey” (in the UK).

The “buoyancy hypothesis” suggests that alcohol can disrupt the body’s sense of balance and spatial awareness, which, when combined with the effects of cannabis, can result in severe disorientation and vomiting.

Memory Loss and Blackouts

Both alcohol and cannabis can impair memory function on their own, but when used together, the effects can be even more pronounced. Studies have found that cross-fading is associated with an increased likelihood of memory loss and blackouts.

This can be particularly problematic, as users may not even remember engaging in risky behaviors or making poor decisions while under the influence of both substances.

Increased Aggression and Intimate Partner Violence

The relationship between substance use and aggression is a complex one, but some research suggests that the combination of alcohol and cannabis may be particularly problematic.

While cannabis alone has been shown to decrease subjective feelings of aggression, alcohol intoxication has been linked to increased aggression. When the two are used together, studies have found an “increased likelihood of intimate partner aggression perpetration.”

It’s important to note, however, that the data on this topic is somewhat contradictory, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between cross-fading and violence.

Promoting Safer Substance Use

Given the significant risks associated with mixing alcohol and marijuana, it’s clear that this is a practice that should be avoided. But for those who do choose to indulge in both substances, there are a few important steps that can be taken to promote safer use:

Avoid Driving: Perhaps the most critical piece of advice is to never get behind the wheel after using both alcohol and cannabis. Arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a rideshare service to ensure you get home safely.
Start Low and Go Slow: If you do decide to use both substances, it’s important to start with low doses of each and wait to see how your body reacts before consuming more. Rushing into a cross-faded state can increase the risks of negative effects.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Keeping your body well-hydrated and fueled with nutritious foods can help mitigate some of the physical side effects of mixing weed and alcohol, such as nausea and dizziness.
Avoid Risky Behaviors: Be mindful of your decision-making and avoid engaging in any potentially dangerous or illegal activities while cross-faded, such as unprotected sex or driving.
Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you find that you’re struggling with substance abuse or addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional or addiction treatment program for support.

Remember, the safest approach is to avoid mixing alcohol and marijuana altogether. But if you do choose to indulge, prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you.

Conclusion

Mixing alcohol and marijuana may seem like a fun way to enhance your night out, but the risks simply aren’t worth it. From impaired cognitive function and driving ability to increased aggression and risky behaviors, the combination of these two substances can have serious and even deadly consequences.

If you do choose to use both weed and alcohol, be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. And if you find that you’re struggling with substance abuse, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Your health and safety should always come first.