Contents
When abused separately, alcohol and Xanax can have dangerous side effects. When the 2 substances are abused in tandem, their individual negative consequences are intensified. To explore the risks of mixing alcohol and Xanax, it is important to understand their independent properties and the dangers that accompany the abuse of these substances. Dual diagnosis helps a therapist identify both your mental disorder, your addiction, and the connection between the two. When you understand why you drink or take drugs, then you can get the right treatment to help you manage your mental health issues.
Xanax was hoped to be a drug that would not be prone to abuse and would produce fewer side effects than Valium, as it has a much shorter half-life and a quicker onset and course of action. Thus, Xanax could be used to treat anxiety or muscle spasms very quickly. The hope was that it would not produce lasting euphoric effects. In addition, Xanax can be used to initiate sleep in individuals who have issues with insomnia, but the hope was that it would not produce lasting effects of relaxation, sedation, and euphoria.
In 2015, more than 50% of the 176,000 benzodiazepine-related emergency room visits also involved other drugs or alcohol. When the drugs combine the sedative effects, it can cause you to feel extremely sleepy or lose consciousness. You may feel physical weakness, relaxed muscles, and heaviness in your extremities.
Alcohol can act as a temporary mood booster in some people and cause depression in others. Xanax can sometimes cause depression as a negative side effect, and some people experience thoughts of suicide. Other rare side effects include rage, aggressive behavior, and irritability. Alcohol also increases risk-taking behavior and impairs your judgment and decision making. Mood and behavior symptoms may increase when the substances are combined.
Xanax
Residential treatment programs also focus on relapse prevention, which is essential if a person is to avoid relapse. You should never attempt to quit alcohol cold turkey on your own. Though rare, some people have died from delirium tremens during alcohol withdrawal. Xanax withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as alcohol withdrawal, but if you’re mixing these two substances, you should always go through medically assisted detox. Detoxing from more than one substance makes the process more complex.
- It has been shown that drinking actually raises the concentration of Xanax in your bloodstream.
- Medical detox is the first step in treatment for alcohol and Xanax abuse.
- This means that drinking alcohol while using Xanax magnifies effects such as drowsiness, lightheadedness, headaches, fatigue, and impaired coordination.
- Do NOT be afraid to seek help.If you do not have access to a phone contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.
- Some people may take Xanax with alcohol in hopes of intensifying these desirable effects.
An abundance of Xanax and alcohol can relax and slow body functions to the point that the user’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing, again resulting in a coma or death. Xanax is the brand name for a drug called Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder , insomnia, other panic and sleeping disorders, and even seizures. eco sober house review Benzodiazepines are considered tranquilizers or sedatives and are the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. The drug’s calming effects and addictive qualities have caused Xanax to be abused by those both with a prescription and those without. It is often misused in combination with another substance, particularly alcohol.
Both substances increase the effects of the other, so the user feels a more extreme sensation. However, both of these substances also suppress your central nervous system and your respiratory system. However, suppose you find yourself in a situation where you think you may have an addiction to mixing Xanax and alcohol. In that case, getting the correct information and helpful guidance on how to safely stop mixing these two substances is important.
It can be legally obtained with a prescription, but many people who abuse Xanax purchase the drug illegally from friends or drug dealers. Certain substances, like prescription drugs or alcohol, take a particular toll on the liver. On its own, Xanax can be used to safely treat certain medical conditions. If you suffer from panic attacks or anxiety, then a physician can prescribe you Xanax to reduce symptoms. However, there’s never a good reason to mix Xanax with other substances, especially alcohol. Xanax and alcohol are a dangerous cocktail with some seriously problematic effects.
When taken as prescribed, Xanax can help individuals manage their anxiety. But when combined with alcohol, this powerful medication can lead to overdose or even death. In this short video, learn about the dangers of combining benzodiazepines and alcohol.
Treatment for co-occurringalcoholandXanax abuseoften requires a period ofmedically supervised detox. You should wait until most of the Xanax has cleared your system before drinking alcohol. The closer to the last dose of Xanax you drink alcohol, the greater the risk of severe side effects from combining alcohol with https://sober-house.net/ Xanax. Identifying a problem is best done by assessing their behavior. Although mood and behavior can change when drinking alcohol or taking Xanax, the change will be even more noticeable if they’re done together. Your loved one may have a problem if they are uncharacteristically depressed, confused, or hostile.
How to stop using Xanax and alcohol
While addiction or abuse of either substance can be harmful, when used together the combination is dangerous and potentially fatal. Residential treatment programs for Xanax addiction typically last 30 to 90 days and include a variety of treatments. Treatment activities may include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Many programs use cognitive behavioral therapy as a primary treatment approach, which can shift a person’s attitudes toward substance abuse and help them develop supportive coping tools.
She explains that the medication dosage and the amount of alcohol involved are important factors. “If it were a small amount of alcohol and a lower dose of the benzo, there would be a lower risk,” she says. Call 911 immediatelyif someone you are with is showing these kinds of symptoms. A person who is overdosing on Xanax and alcohol might not respond to you. Alcohol and Xanax misuse can also contribute to changes in your sex drive, appetite, and weight.
Your body has to process the substances, which takes some time. During that time, it’s possible to ingest too much without realizing it. Prescription medication that is generally used to treat anxiety. It is classified as a benzodiazepine, meaning that it is considered a depressant for its sedative effects.
What do Xanax and alcohol do to your brain?
Drinking alcohol while taking Xanax can lead to excessive sedation, slowing the brain and central nervous system. You may also experience difficulty breathing and slow motor skills. While both substances are depressants, they can work for some conditions, such as seizures and panic disorder. If you are an alcoholic, avoid taking Xanax and treat your alcohol addiction first from one of the top centers in the United States, the Indiana Center for Recovery. Our treatment center helps thousands of addicts to overcome alcohol abuse.
Although there are many, blackouts are one of the most dangerous side effects of mixing Xanax and alcohol. This often means participation in treatment or support groups for years. For many individuals, continued participation in some form of intervention is a lifelong commitment. The risk of overdose from either drug is significantly enhanced as a result of using the two in combination.
Some drugs that people commonly mix with alcohol include nicotine, marijuana, and harder drugs, like cocaine and heroin. Common prescription medications can also be abused when used with alcohol. Opioids are often used in conjunction with alcohol, as well as benzodiazepines, like Xanax. Inpatient treatment is the most intensive treatment for substance abuse.
Xanax and Alcohol Are Depressants
Allow a person to attend therapy as necessary based on their schedules. This form of treatment is also used as a step down from residential treatment since it allows someone to spend their evenings at home instead of a treatment facility. What starts a slightly sedative effect can quickly multiply as the substances will build on each other.
The Dangers of Combining Xanax and Alcohol
The combination can cause severe side effects, including coma, seizures, and even death. This can cause an increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters, which can cause severe cognitive problems and even affect physical movement. If you’re worried about taking both, talk to your doctor before starting a Xanax and alcohol combination. Alcohol and Xanax withdrawal is like detoxing from other depressants.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911. Furthermore, benzodiazepines are increasingly being prescribed for mild to moderate anxiety when they are technically meant for severe or acute anxiety, Lembke says. Along with its drug classification, the normalization of Xanax amongst college students has a lot to do with how friends and peer pressure affect the brain. It is during this age that young people stop turning to their parents and family for attachment and their friends become the focus of their relationships. A young person’s friendships can directly influence their decisions.
Not only will you be monitored by a team of medical professionals around the clock, but you’ll also receive long-term care that will provide you with tools to stay healthy and clean. When taken together, alcohol and Xanax become more potent than if you take either of them on their own. As a result, you’re at risk of excessive sedation, dangerous accidents, respiratory depression, cardiac issues and loss of consciousness. Benzodiazepineslike Xanax can be addictive, despite being prescription medications with legitimate uses. The amount needed to suffer afatal overdose on Xanaxby itself is considerably high. It is much easier to overdose on this medication when combined with other substances, such as alcohol.
Anna Lembke, MD, director of addiction medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. In Interdisciplinary Studies with Behavioral/Social Sciences and Art concentrations along with a Journalism minor from the University of Central Florida. Dedicated to creativity and conciseness, Emily hopes her words can be of service to those affected by addiction. Addiction is usually a sign that you are dealing with deeper mental issues.