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Call Us: 0330 111 2015
Call Us: 0330 111 2015
Find out about the dangers of mixing cannabis and alcohol and how to overcome addiction with help from the therapists at Delamere
Alcohol drinkers are more likely to take cannabis than any other drug, other than tobacco (1). People often combine cannabis and alcohol to try to increase, or counteract, their effects. However, because both substances alter physical and mental functions in a similar way, mixing them can prove dangerous. As cannabis and alcohol are two of the most commonly used substances in the world, it’s important to understand the implications of mixing them.
We’re here to explain what cannabis and alcohol can do to the body and what to do if you think you may have developed a dependence. Delamere treats both cannabis addiction and alcohol addiction at our residential wellness retreat in Cheshire. We have a team of holistic therapists who are experts in poly-substance use and can offer a clinical detox treatment to help the withdrawal process go smoothly. We use a combination of the latest therapeutic practices and somatic healing techniques to help our guests overcome addiction and move on with their lives.
The cannabis plant contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a mind-altering chemical that has short and long-term psychotic effects. When smoked, vaped or eaten, the THC in cannabis impacts the parts of the brain responsible for thinking, memory, pleasure coordination and movement. Similarly, alcohol can interfere with the brain’s communication pathways impairing people’s balance, speech, judgement, decision-making and self-control. When cannabis and alcohol are taken together the effects are often intensified.
People experience different reactions to mixing cannabis and alcohol based on a variety of factors, from metabolism to method of administration. If you’ve already started drinking and then decide to smoke cannabis the ‘high’ is stronger than the other way around. This is because alcohol increases the absorption of THC which can cause the user to have a ‘green out’ – an unpleasant episode of feeling sweaty, dizzy and being sick.
On the other hand, smoking cannabis before drinking is thought to slow down the absorption of alcohol which can make the person feel less drunk. This might lead to them wrongly believing they were fit to drive or taking other risks that could be life-threatening. Psychological symptoms can also occur, such as hallucinations and delusions.
Cannabis and alcohol are already both damaging to health. When used together, they not only produce double the high, but also increase the chances of unpleasant side effects and long-term health problems. You’re also at a higher risk of developing a dependence. For instance, cutting down on your alcohol consumption increases the chance of developing a cannabis addiction and vice versa. Abusing both at the same time comes with a variety of negative consequences:
Increased risk of accidents and injury
Alcohol makes you lose your inhibitions. Cannabis calms your brain. Add these two effects together and you’re more likely to put yourself in harm’s way. Whether it’s drink driving or getting involved in fights, it’s easy to take risks when your mind isn’t in full control. Cannabis and alcohol both force you to have poor judgement, slower reflexes, poor coordination, blackouts and memory loss, which is an accident waiting to happen.
Long-term mental health problems
Young males are the most likely cohort to abuse cannabis and alcohol as well as the most common group to seek treatment for mental health problems. Both substances have a psychotic effect on the brain and as a result are synonymous with mental health conditions. If concurrent cannabis and alcohol use starts at a young age, higher levels of anxiety, depression and behavioural problems are reported in adulthood (2).
Overdosing on cannabis and alcohol
When people use cannabis and alcohol together the risk and severity of an alcohol overdose increases. Cannabis not only increases the level of THC in your blood, but it also has an anti-sickness effect which can keep alcohol in your system for longer. While overdosing on cannabis alone is rare, the effect on the central nervous system when combined with alcohol can make overdose symptoms much worse, leading to hospitalisation in many cases.
Withdrawing from cannabis and alcohol
The physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawing from cannabis and alcohol without medical supervision can be deadly. If someone is suffering with both alcohol addiction and cannabis addiction the withdrawal symptoms need to be treated at the same time, preferably in a residential facility. Understanding the reasons for this reliance on a combination of drugs and alcohol is essential for both problems to be tackled at once.
If you’re worried about the effect cannabis and alcohol are having on your life, it’s time to get help. Delamere is the ideal environment to press the reset button and overcome your combined alcohol addiction and cannabis addiction. Set in six acres of forest, our purpose-built retreat has everything you need to overcome your problems in comfortable surroundings.
Many of our staff members are in active recovery themselves so they have an empathic and sensitive approach to your needs. We will support you with a clinical detox treatment to reduce your physical reliance on cannabis and alcohol while lessening any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. You’ll then have access to a wide choice of therapeutic techniques, from one-to-one counselling to somatic healing practices, to makes sense of your dual addiction and overcome it.
Unlike other residential rehab programmes, our unique approach to alcohol addiction and cannabis addiction is holistic, taking into consideration the physical, emotional and psychological impact of your addictive behaviour. We will work together to develop the tools and coping mechanisms you need to stop cravings, start the healing process and grow beyond addiction.
Our Stop Start Grow model is a refreshing approach to recovery and is what makes treatment at Delamere different.
We believe life after addiction should be abundant, so our programmes focus on addressing any underlying issues that underpin your addiction, helping you let go of the past and rewrite your future without addiction holding you back.
Spend time with our therapists to discover what led you to this behaviour in the first place
Delamere treatment model Delamere treatment model
Set healthy boundaries,
exciting new goals and prepare for
life after Delamere
This page has been reviewed by Dr Catherine Carney, Delamere’s psychiatrist
This page has been reviewed by Mike Delaney, Clinical Director at Delamere
Everything we do here is about outcomes. Focusing on getting you back to yourself again in the short term, but then growing beyond that when you leave Delamere. Helping you create the foundations for long-term recovery and growth.
There’s no one-size-fits-all here. We listen, learn and tailor our programmes to meet your personal needs, whatever they may be. Your journey to recovery is yours, so we design our programmes with you in mind.
Nature and creativity often bring out the best in people, especially after a difficult period in their life. We offer equine and art therapy, fire ceremonies, nature walks and more to help you relax, reflect and see the world in a new way.
Martin Preston, Founder & CEO at Delamere
Ask us about our rehab programmes and get back on track.
Discuss a stay with usIf a friend, family member or work colleague is showing signs of cannabis addiction and alcohol addiction, it’s important they get help.
Our admissions team is on hand 24/7 to help answer any questions about our clinical detox treatment programmes and make sure your loved one gets the support they need.
Call the team today on 0330 111 2015 to discuss the different options available.
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