Many drugs (substances of abuse) become more dangerous when they are mixed. People (abusers) may combine drugs intentionally to enhance the effects, or to counteract undesirable side-effects, or they may use a hazardous combination of drugs without intending to do so. For example, they may take sleeping medications after drinking alcohol without being aware that using these drugs together is hazardous. People who use drugs illegally may mix drugs unknowingly because they do not know what they are taking.
Many drugs taken together have the potential to interact with one another to produce greater effects than either substance taken alone. Or, the combination of drugs may produce a new or unexpected effect. For example, alcohol , opioid analgesics (like codeine ), and benzodiazepines (like diazepam) are all depressant drugs. When taken alone, they can cause relaxation, dis-inhibition,…
