What Are the Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Xanax?
Combining alcohol and Xanax is an extremely dangerous practice that can lead to severe short-term and long-term consequences. Xanax (generic name alprazolam) belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which are central nervous system depressants often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant. When taken together, the effects of both substances are intensified, which can slow critical bodily functions to dangerous levels. Understanding the risks and seeking professional treatment is crucial for anyone abusing this combination.
How Xanax and Alcohol Work in the Body
Xanax
Xanax enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which produces a sedating and calming effect.
It binds to GABA receptors and increases GABA activity, slowing down the central nervous system.
Common effects of Xanax include reduced anxiety, relaxation, sedation, and mild euphoria at high doses.
Alcohol
Alcohol also enhances GABA activity and inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate.
It produces effects ranging from relaxation and sedation to intoxication and loss of motor control at high doses.
Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and cognitive functions.
When combined, the depressive effects of both substances on the central nervous system are compounded. The result is dangerous, synergistic interactions that can slow critical bodily functions like breathing and heart rate.
Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Xanax
Taking Xanax with alcohol intensifies the effects of both substances in the body, leading to much higher risks of overdose and life-threatening side effects.
Increased Sedation and Impaired Function
Both alcohol and Xanax cause sedation on their own. When combined, the sedative effects are greatly amplified.
You may experience extreme drowsiness, fatigue, loss of coordination, and an inability to think clearly or make sound judgments.
Your risk of accidents and injuries increases substantially. You should never drive or operate machinery after mixing Xanax and alcohol.
Respiratory Depression
Xanax and alcohol are both capable of slowing breathing rates on their own. Together, they compound this effect and can dangerously slow or even stop breathing altogether.
This lack of oxygen to the brain and other organs can quickly lead to coma, brain damage, or death. Respiratory depression is the primary cause of overdose deaths from mixing Xanax and alcohol.
Loss of Consciousness
The increased sedation caused by combining Xanax and alcohol dramatically raises your risk of losing consciousness.
You may pass out suddenly and it can be impossible to rouse an individual who has mixed Xanax and alcohol.
Loss of consciousness secondary to slowed breathing can lead to death within minutes if left untreated.
Impaired Judgement and Behavior
Both Xanax and alcohol negatively impact reasoning abilities, self-control, and mood.
When combined, judgment and behavior are even more impaired. Some common effects include aggression, impulsiveness, and an inability to control one's actions.
You may engage in dangerous, reckless, or violent behavior that you would normally avoid. Decision-making skills are significantly hindered.
Memory Loss and Blackouts
Xanax and alcohol each cause short-term memory impairment. Together, the amnesic effects are compounded.
It is common to experience extended memory loss or blackouts after mixing the two, where you cannot recall events that occurred while intoxicated.
Memory loss and blackouts while intoxicated raise the likelihood of unintended consequences from poor decision-making.
Difficulty Breathing After Recovery
Even once the alcohol and Xanax appear to have worn off, breathing can remain suppressed for hours or even days.
Sleeping is extremely dangerous during this time, as breathing may continue to slow or stop altogether, leading to death.
Medical monitoring is essential after mixing Xanax and alcohol to ensure breathing and heart rate stabilizes.
Never assume someone who has combined Xanax and alcohol is safe just because the immediate effects seem to have passed. Staying awake and breathing can still be a life-or-death struggle
Side Effects of Combining Alcohol and Xanax
In addition to the major risks above, other side effects commonly occur when Xanax and alcohol interact in the body:
Dizziness - The sedative effects disrupt balance and coordination, causing dizziness and vertigo. This increases the chance of falls and injury.
Nausea and vomiting - Nausea is common with alcohol intoxication. Xanax also causes nausea in some individuals. The combination exacerbates this effect.
Headaches - Hangovers from alcohol often involve headaches. Xanax can independently cause headaches as well. The combined substances worsen headache intensity.
Slowed heart rate - Both Xanax and alcohol depress heart rate and blood pressure. Together, the effects on cardiovascular function are amplified.
Impaired motor coordination - Lack of coordination from the combination markedly increases the risk of accidents. Walking, driving, and other activities requiring balance and motor control become dangerous.
Weakened muscles - Muscles may become weak and soft after taking Xanax and alcohol together. This increases the hazards associated with loss of balance and coordination.
Blurred vision - Eyesight can become blurry or double after taking both substances. Depth perception and visual focus are reduced.
Slurred speech - Speech often becomes slurred, garbled, and difficult to understand after mixing Xanax and alcohol.
Confusion - Thought processes and awareness of surroundings become confused and muddied after taking Xanax and alcohol together.
Stupor - In severe cases of intoxication from the combination, individuals may exhibit a stupor characterized by being conscious but completely unaware and unable to interact with the environment.
The wide range of side effects highlights the broad impact these substances have when combined. Every aspect of functioning can be compromised.
Xanax and Alcohol Overdose
Overdose occurs when the central nervous system is suppressed to the point that breathing stops or the heart rate drops dangerously low.
Overdose symptoms include:
Extreme drowsiness
Loss of consciousness
Dangerously slow, shallow, or absent breathing
Clammy, pale, or bluish skin
Slowed heart rate
An overdose from mixing Xanax and alcohol requires emergency medical treatment. Call 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected.
While waiting for help:
Try to wake the person up
Perform rescue breathing if they are not breathing adequately
Turn them on their side to prevent choking
Monitor breathing and heart rate
Even if the person regains consciousness rapidly with stimulation, emergency evaluation is still required, as effects may recur once stimulation is removed.
Overdose risk is heightened by:
Taking higher doses of Xanax or drinking more alcohol
No prior tolerance to one or both substances
Use of other substances like opiates
Pre-existing medical conditions
Since alcohol enhances the toxicity of Xanax, overdose can occur at lower doses of Xanax when combined with alcohol. The potentiation of life-threatening central nervous system depression makes this mixture particularly dangerous.
Death can occur within minutes of respiratory arrest if an overdose is not treated rapidly. Do not take chances with combined Xanax and alcohol intoxication.
Long-Term Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Xanax
In addition to the immediate hazards of oversedation and overdose, long-term risks arise from chronic use of alcohol and Xanax:
Developing Addiction
Frequent use of Xanax and alcohol leads to tolerance, requiring more of both drugs to feel intoxicated over time. This drives compulsive use and addiction.
Quitting becomes extremely difficult due to dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction to multiple substances makes treatment more complex.
Organ Damage
The liver metabolizes both Xanax and alcohol, so chronic mixed use stresses the liver. Liver damage, disease, and failure can result.
The kidneys are also impacted by toxic byproducts of Xanax and alcohol, increasing the risk of kidney disease.
Heart disease and stroke risk go up due to effects on blood pressure, vessel damage, and circulation.
Mental Health Issues
Long-term Xanax and alcohol abuse can worsen or trigger mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
Cognitive impairments like poor memory and concentration may linger even after detox.
Other Medical Problems
Chronic use of depressants suppresses immunity, weakening resistance to infections like pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal issues can develop, like ulcers, acid reflux, and inflammation of the pancreas.
Sleep apnea risk increases from the combined effects on respiratory drive and muscle tone.
Sexual dysfunction is more likely due to hormonal disruption and circulatory changes.
The cumulative toll of long-term alcohol and Xanax abuse can be massive, potentially leading to permanent organ damage, mental illness, and shortened lifespan.
Withdrawal Dangers
Quitting alcohol and Xanax suddenly after chronic use can trigger potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms:
Seizures - Sudden stoppage often causes seizures. They can be fatal.
Delirium - Confusion, hallucinations, fever, and agitation characterize this life-threatening alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Anxiety and panic - Rebound anxiety and panic are common during Xanax withdrawal.
Insomnia and fatigue - Inability to sleep and profound tiredness occur when removing the depressant effects.
Cardiac distress - Blood pressure spikes, heart rate increases, and heart rhythm abnormalities manifest.
Nausea and vomiting - Gastrointestinal upset is common during withdrawal. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities can result.
Tremors - Shakiness, tremors, and poor coordination reflect the overactivation of the nervous system.
Suicidal thoughts - Depression, hopelessness, and suicidality may emerge during withdrawal.
Because of the risk of medical complications and death, it is critical to undergo gradual detoxification under medical supervision when quitting Xanax and alcohol.
The safest method is inpatient detox at a specialty treatment facility, where symptoms can be managed 24/7.
Treatment for Alcohol and Xanax Addiction
Professional treatment is vital for overcoming an addiction to alcohol and Xanax. Key components of treatment include:
Medically-Supervised Detox
Around-the-clock medical care through detox prevents dangerous complications and provides medications to ease withdrawal.
Inpatient Rehab
24-hour structured care removes all access to substances and focuses fully on recovery through counseling, behavioral therapies, 12-step programs, and other interventions.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma must be addressed simultaneously with the addiction.
Aftercare Programs
Ongoing outpatient treatment, sober living, and support groups help solidify gains made in rehab and maintain long-term sobriety.
Individual and Group Therapy
Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teach techniques for managing cravings, avoiding triggers, altering destructive thought patterns, and developing healthy interpersonal behaviors. Group therapy also reduces feelings of isolation.
Family Counseling
Includes family members in the recovery journey and repairs damaged relationships.
Rehab equips individuals with the tools needed for a lifetime of sobriety. Long-term participation in treatment leads to the best outcomes. Contact a Rancho Cucamonga drug rehab specialist today to explore your options.
Getting Help for Alcohol and Xanax Addiction
The first step in getting help for an addiction to alcohol and Xanax is speaking to your physician for guidance. They can assist with choosing a treatment program and safely starting the detox process.
For help finding a rehab program, contact our facility at pH Wellness at 844-549-2488.
We offer customized dual-diagnosis rehab programs incorporating detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient therapy, and long-term recovery support. Contact us now to get started on your recovery journey.
Some signs that you or someone you know needs help for an alcohol and Xanax addiction include:
Drinking and taking Xanax frequently together
Neglecting responsibilities due to use
Relationship conflict arising from substance use
Unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit
Physical and mental health problems emerging
Risky behaviors like driving impaired
Being unable to function normally without Xanax or alcohol
Continuing use despite negative consequences
The combination of alcohol and Xanax is so dangerous that anyone regularly mixing the two could benefit from professional treatment. Don't wait until a crisis occurs to reach out for help.
Conclusion
Mixing alcohol and Xanax is an extremely risky practice that can easily end in tragedy. The combination intensifies all the effects of both substances, leading to impaired functioning, respiratory depression, overdose, and death.
Long-term use also causes organ damage, mental illness, and addiction. Withdrawal may be life-threatening without medical detox.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with alcohol and Xanax, specialized dual diagnosis treatment offers hope. Recovery is possible with proper treatment, counseling, and ongoing support. To get started, contact the pH Wellness drug rehab in Corona, CA now at 844-459-2488.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5846112/
https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102098-1