A method of reducing the risk of medication-related overdose, death, or other injury associated with inappropriate consumption of alcohol in conjunction with prescription opioid analgesics, comprising: administering a combination medication having an effective amount of one or more opioid medications, and an effective amount of one or more aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, in order to provide the powerful analgesic effects of the opioid in conjunction with a substance that prevents concomitant alcohol consumption, thereby reducing the risk of alcohol mediated opioid overdose or death. A combination medication, including an effective amount of one or more opioid medications, and an effective amount of one or more aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
