Final answer:
Cocaethylene is the highly toxic chemical formed when cocaine is taken with alcohol, which increases the drug's euphoric effects and toxicity, posing significant health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highly toxic chemical that is formed when cocaine is taken with alcohol is called cocaethylene. When alcohol and cocaine are consumed together, the liver produces cocaethylene during the metabolism of these substances.
This toxic chemical potentiates the euphoric effects of cocaine while concurrently increasing the strain on the heart and liver. Cocaethylene has a longer duration of action in the brain and is more toxic than either drug alone. This combination heightens the risk of sudden death significantly more than cocaine alone.
Cocaine's addictive properties stem from its effect on dopamine levels in the brain, leading to intense feelings of pleasure. It is commonly used as a recreational drug. However, combining cocaine with alcohol to produce cocaethylene greatly exacerbates health risks, including increased chances of heart attack, liver damage, and other serious complications.