Mixing drugs and alcohol of any kind is a dangerous combination. It can lead to serious health problems, even death. An increasing number of drug and alcohol related deaths involve the use of prescription medications. Abuse of benzodiazepines like Xanax and alcohol are a particularly lethal mix.
Adding alcohol to a potentially addictive drug like Xanax increases the risk of overdose substantially. You should never take Xanax when drinking alcohol, even if the medication is prescribed to you by a physician. Read on to discover the dangers of mixing alcohol and Xanax, along with any side effects you can expect.
Dangers of Xanax and Alcohol
Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug that is a central nervous system depressant. Its most common uses are in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders, but it is also sometimes prescribed to lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It produces a calming effect by slowing the central nervous system. Xanax can be incredibly dangerous when not taken properly or when mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
Alcohol is also a depressant of the central nervous system. Xanax and alcohol both stimulate the neurotransmitter, GABA, in the brain. This neurotransmitter then produces a sedation effect on the user. Mixing the two causes over-sedation, which can be lethal. Taking these two substances together also intensifies their individual effects.
Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Xanax
The combination of Xanax and alcohol can lead to several side effects such as fatigue, weakness, clumsiness, and severe drowsiness. Breathing problems and loss of consciousness are also possible. Unfortunately, death is a genuine possibility when it comes to mixing these substances.
Other side effects of mixing alcohol and Xanax include:
- Slow breathing
- Vertigo
- Slow pulse
- Slurred speech
- Nausea
- Impaired coordination
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Coma
The combination of these two substances greatly slows down the central nervous system, which can have very harmful consequences. Drinking an alcoholic beverage while taking Xanax is a disaster waiting to happen. If you’re taking Xanax for any reason, then it’s best to avoid consuming alcohol.
How Bayview Recovery Can Help
A Xanax addiction rehab center in Tacoma, WA, like Bayview Recovery, can provide you with the support you need to manage Xanax or alcohol dependency. This type of issue can be challenging to overcome on your own; however, the process is made less stressful when you have the right tools.
For example, services that Bayview Recovery offers include:
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Outpatient care
- Aftercare
- Extended care 90-day program
- Dual diagnosis therapy
- Individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you can benefit from getting in touch. This is a scary time, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our trained and expert staff can provide you with the structure and information necessary for a successful recovery. Give us a call today at 855.478.3650 to learn how we can help.
