Cocaine use is on the rise again in Leeds and the UK, with Cocaine deaths at the highest rates since records began. This recent report from the ONS shows that cocaine deaths since 2010 are increasingly becoming higher in the 40-69 age range.
As we are ageing we’re still taking cocaine increasingly as the drug gets cheaper and the strength reportedly increasing to purity levels rarely seen before in the UK.
But as we age our bodies and brains are not as efficient at dealing with the effects of the cocaine and alcohol, especially the potentially lethal chemical cocaethylene which is the separate substance produced when cocaine and alcohol are taken together.
Research shows when we mix cocaine and alcohol together, we may be 18-25 times more likely to die suddenly than if we take cocaine without any alcohol. The problem is that often coke and alcohol go hand in hand, and we can drink much more alcohol when we take cocaine, as the effect of the drug effects some of the feelings of being intoxicated on alcohol alone. Furthermore, the production of cocaethylene may actually cause us to drink more alcohol!
People who do take cocaine in Leeds should be made fully aware that mixing cocaine with alcohol is such a potentially lethal combination. This is especially important to the over forties and those who have had any previous problems with their heart. When we add up the availability with the current strength of cocaine, and an ageing population of users who like to party in Leeds, it would be wise to be mindful of the potential consequences! At Start Recovery, we help individuals in Leeds struggling with any addictive behaviours, including problems with alcohol or cocaine.
Start Recovery is a private drug and alcohol counselling service based in North Leeds. If you or a loved one are having problems with alcohol or cocaine addiction, you can get in touch here.