What might happen when alcohol is combined with another drug?
- The effects of the alcohol and the drug may both be increased. ✓
- Nothing will happen.
- The effects of the alcohol and the drug may both be reduced.
- The effects of only the alcohol may be reduced.
Answer: A. The effects of the alcohol and the drug may both be increased.
When alcohol is combined with another drug, the effects of both the alcohol and the drug may be increased.
Why this is the answer
The handbook warns against drinking while taking drugs and says that mixing them often multiplies the effects of both. It gives the example that one drink taken with allergy or cold medication can hit you like several drinks. That is why the answer is that the effects of the alcohol and the drug may both be increased, not canceled out or left unchanged.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Nothing will happen. — The handbook says mixing them multiplies the effects, so something does happen — the combination makes both stronger.
- C. The effects of the alcohol and the drug may both be reduced. — The handbook describes the effects being multiplied, not reduced, so combining them does not weaken either one.
- D. The effects of only the alcohol may be reduced. — The handbook says the effects of the alcohol and drugs are multiplied together, so the drug is not left out while only the alcohol changes.
Remember it
Think of one drink plus cold medicine as several drinks — mixing multiplies, it does not cancel.