The Serious Dangers of Mixing Xanax And Alcohol

Nowadays, we are becoming more aware of people misusing prescribed drugs, which has recently grown into an epidemic and is on the rise.

People taking the drug Xanax other than as medically prescribed are at high risk of addiction and possible overdose, but another alarming trend in substance abuse is making headlines, which is mixing alcohol with other drugs, like Xanax, and is a worrying concern in our society today.

Xanax and alcohol are two addictive substances, and when taken at the same time, the damaging effects they have on someone’s health are considerably heightened.

Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, a prescription medication belonging to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepine. This medicine is primarily used as a sedative-hypnotic that helps manage panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

Alcohol is a legal substance that is widely used mainly for social purposes and helps people to relax. As both these substances have similar properties, when mixed, they form a dangerous cocktail with severe consequences.

This blog will cover the dangers and risks of taking the combination of Xanax and alcohol, the reasons why it should be avoided, and where to find help if you or someone you know is affected.

Why Is Mixing Xanax And Alcohol So Dangerous?

First, let’s take a look at Xanax and what it is.

Normal Xanax use is administered to treat a valid medical condition and is prescribed by a medical professional. More often than not, Xanax becomes misused for various reasons and may not always be intentional. Some of these reasons could be:

• Using the medication differently to how it should be taken.
• Consuming larger amounts than prescribed.
• Taking the medication without a medical prescription.
• Mixing the drug with other substances.

For whatever reason, when Xanax is misused, it can have adverse effects on someone’s health. Over time, consumers develop a tolerance and dependence to the presence of the drug, heightening the risk of overdose.

There is an elevated chance of causing harm and injury through accidents when under the influence and a further risk of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when attempting to kick the habit.

Alcohol misuse is a serious health problem and, if left untreated, will inevitably lead to premature death. Most people may be aware of some of the characteristics surrounding alcohol abuse and are better prepared to understand the risks.

However, when alcohol and Xanax are combined, it is known as polysubstance misuse and becomes an extremely dangerous practice that should be avoided at all costs. People commonly combine benzodiazepines like Xanax or other opioid substances with alcohol as a way to maximize the drug’s effects on the body. 

Taking Xanax differently from how it is prescribed can lead to brain damage, liver and heart failure, overdose, and death.

Adverse Effects of Xanax Use With Alcohol

We have already looked at the dangers of mixing alcohol and Xanax when taken together, but what about the effects it has on the body?

There are many factors determining the adverse effects these substances have as each person is different, and these effects may vary, but in general terms, they depend on the following:

• Age
• Gender
• Body Mass
• Genetics
• Overall health

Drinking alcohol has a relaxing effect as it is a depressant, and Xanax also has a sedative effect, both of which impact the central nervous system. When taken together, they counteract each other and can produce mild to severe side effects such as:

• Feeling dizzy or disorientated.
• Drowsiness.
• Reduced or slow breathing.
• Loss of memory.
• Reduced reactions.
• Behavioral alterations.

The biggest and most concerning effect of alcohol and Xanax combined is that they suppress activation within the brain that controls breathing and may cause respiratory depression such as coma. or possible brain damage.

Other Effects Of Alcohol And Xanax Addiction

Not only do the effects of taking Xanax and alcohol at the same time reflect on the body, but they can also have a deep impact on other matters that can also be detrimental to a person’s well-being:

Mental Health

Bouts of depression, low esteem, or blank memory are common effects, but more severe are hallucinations or suicidal thoughts. Increased consumption to reach desired effects or to cope better becomes habitual with less capability to focus on daily activities and loss of self-confidence.

Financial and Legal Issues

Purchasing Xanax illegally can be extremely expensive and can easily burden financial matters. This can also lead to prosecution.

Buying the substance from other people or obtaining it by deceit by visiting different doctors and pharmacies, stealing, or driving whilst under the influence can also lead to arrest and possible jail sentence.

Third-Party Claims

When under the influence of Xanax and/or alcohol, there are increased risks of accidents. Driving poses a threat to other drivers and pedestrians as the chances of accidents are heightened.

Operating machinery in a workplace may also become hazardous to fellow workers. The outcomes could be devastating.

Work and Education

Xanax causes a much-reduced ability to focus and respond efficiently to various tasks, making an individual less productive and slower to finish what they started. Drug test screening can detect traces of the substance even when you think it has left your system, which may result in losing your job.

Social Circle

Xanax or any other substance abuse can strain relationships with family and friends and can lead to cutting off participation in social events and increase feelings of complete isolation.

Risk Of Overdosing On Alcohol And Xanax

We have seen how Xanax and alcohol together can have adverse effects on the body but it should be remembered that this dangerous combination can easily lead to overdose and fatalities.

It is understood that some 18% of benzodiazepine overdoses involve alcohol consumption and these two interactions significantly increase respiratory depression. Slow or shallow breathing is extremely dangerous and can induce coma, leading to severe and irreversible brain damage.

Some signs of overdose to look out for are:

• Any state of confusion or disorientation.
• Slow or hardly any pulse.
• Slow, shallow breathing.
• Falling in and out of consciousness.
• Complete loss of consciousness.

If any of the above warning signs appear, you should seek professional medical help immediately.

As with most drug abuse, it is crucial to get expert help with addiction treatment to address the problem and diagnose any long-term effects. If left untreated, it will increase the risk of overdose when it could be prevented.

Who Should Address The Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol And Xanax?

First and foremost, it is extremely important that you don’t attempt to quit the habit on your own by going cold turkey as you have more chance of relapse but may develop severe withdrawal symptoms that can be harmful.

Unless you have an emergency when it is crucial to seek medical help immediately, the best advice is to find a reputable center that can provide the correct procedure and effective treatment to address substance abuse.

Generally, the first stage is detoxification to eliminate toxins from the body. Still, you should be aware that this process involves unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that may be quite severe and should always be managed by highly qualified medical specialists.

Resilient Recovery is located in Lancaster, California, where our luxury facility provides inpatient and outpatient treatments for victims of substance abuse. We provide specific, tailored addiction treatments, including alcohol addiction and other dangerous substances, all of which are supervised and carried out by our medical team, who are compassionate and dedicated to their work.

We fully understand the challenges and difficulties that patients face as some of our team members are recovering addicts themselves, so our knowledge on the subject has a broader spectrum.

We treat every person as an individual and offer ongoing long-term support to help them on their way to recovery.

If you or you think someone needs help, why don’t you give us a call today? Our friendly staff will be pleased to offer all the assistance you need and will answer any questions you may have. By acting now, you could be preventing someone from falling further into addiction and may even save their life.