Multiple Substances Found In Liam Payne’s Body At Time Of Death
Initial autopsy reports of Liam Payne, British singer and former member of One Direction, who passed away last week after falling from his third-floor hotel balcony, revealed multiple substances in his system at the time of his death.
These substances included benzodiazepines, crack, and pink cocaine. Bottles of alcohol and other drug paraphernalia were also found at the scene. A full autopsy will be completed in Argentina, with no confirmed timeline or release date.
What Is Pink Cocaine?
Amidst news of Payne’s tragic passing, the unusual term pink cocaine has been circulating, with most people unfamiliar with the drug.
Contradictory to what the name suggests, pink cocaine is not a form of cocaine. It isn’t even a single substance but rather a mixture of drugs, often including ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. Other substances often found in this dangerous concoction include opioids, hallucinogens, caffeine, and cocaine. It has also increasingly been found to be laced with fentanyl. This unpredictable mixture makes it difficult for users to anticipate their experience and heightens the risk of adverse effects.
Originally from Columbia, pink cocaine, also known as “tusi,” has gained popularity in nightclubs worldwide as a party drug, thanks to its euphoric effects. Tusi is also called 2C, 2C-B, 2C-E, and Nexus, among other terms.
European authorities first came across it in 2022 and have noted a rise in popularity, labeling it a luxury drug for the affluent thanks to its prevalence in party locales like Ibiza. Often sold as brightly colored pink tablets thanks to the added food coloring, a gram of the drug is sold from $20-100 in New York.
Users take the drug to experience heightened sensory perception, alertness, and euphoria. However, since it often combines both stimulants and depressants, its effects can be erratic and are followed by a hard crash, with negative effects like anxiety, depression, and paranoia following the high.
To avoid this, users often continue to take the drug, leading to a cycle of misuse and addiction.
Dangers Of Combining Drugs
The practice of combining drugs, whether by combining them into one substance or by taking multiple substances at once, is a hazardous practice that poses significant risks. One of the primary risks is increased toxicity; mixing substances can amplify their physical side effects, leading to severe health complications and overdose. Additionally, the reactions between different drugs can result in unexpected and harmful side effects, with no way to know how an individual will respond.
Similarly, cognitive effects are also a main concern when mixing substances. Cognitive impairment can result in poor judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and engaging in risky behaviors. For example, since pink cocaine often has ketamine in it, users can experience a k-hole, a state of disassociation and detachment from reality. These episodes often result in short-term memory loss and lead to an increased risk of psychosis. Many believe Payne was experiencing one of these episodes when he fell.
Another main concern with mixing substances is the withdrawal symptoms that result from stopping multiple substances at one time. These withdrawal symptoms can be more intense and complicated, making detoxification and recovery more challenging and dangerous.
Find Treatment For Substance Abuse
Payne’s tragic passing is a solemn reminder of the dangers of substance misuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and are looking for help, don’t wait. Contact a treatment provider risk-free to learn more about addiction treatment options and start your recovery journey today.
Last Updated:
Author
Jessica Sherer
Jessica Sherer earned her B.A. in English from Ashford University and has over eight years of copyediting experience in healthcare education. Dedicated to providing clear and useful information, she hopes her work will help to support those affected by addiction.
Palamar JJ. (2023). Tusi: A new ketamine concoction complicating the drug landscape. American Journal of Drug Alcohol Abuse, 49(5), 546-550. Retrieved on October 22, 2024, from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37162319/