The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and SAMHSA report the effects of combining alcohol and benzos can be adverse conditions. The study claims benzos and other prescription pain medications are the most abused drugs, including opioids and alcohol. In addition, mixing drugs without alcohol is dangerous as well. Benzodiazepines are a healthcare provider’s treatment method that should advise not to mix with other drugs or alcohol.
Alcohol can escalate the effects of benzos when used together. However, mixing alcohol and benzos can also be fatal. Further dangers include the possibility of becoming addicted to both substances increases. Therefore, patients with prescription medications must follow the doctor’s directions.
Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Benzos (Xylazine, Xanax)
The effects of combining alcohol and benzos are severe and primarily unknown. Those with prescriptions for benzodiazepines are warned not to take the medication with alcohol from the beginning, but they ignore it. Therefore, the effects are unpredictable because both substances have combined side effects. In other words, the doctors would have difficulty diagnosing and treating the problematic symptoms.
In the short term, mixing Xanax with alcohol will quickly cause intoxication. In addition, the effects of Xanax make it challenging to monitor the amount of alcohol used. Symptoms of mixing alcohol and benzos are a lack of coordination, risk of accidents, and physical injuries. Coupled with driving while intoxicated with Xanax and alcohol, it could be fatal.
Other complications of combining Xanax and alcohol could be any of the following:
- Nausea
- Tired and dizzy or faint
- Severe headaches
- Long-term use can cause stomach problems
- Significant heart, liver, and kidney issues
- Suicidal ideations
- Depression
The effects of combining alcohol and benzos can also be the harm misusing substances can wreak on personal relationships. In addition, substance use can easily take priority over loved ones. It is challenging to repair dysfunctional or damaged relationships. Unfortunately, even an impending overdose is a concern when someone’s cognitive ability is at risk.
Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer not intended for human consumption. The effects of Xylazine mixed with alcohol are hazardous. Xylazine can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Again, there is an increased risk of overdose and death. Therefore, combining drugs with alcohol is never a good idea, and taking drugs designed to treat animals is never acceptable.
Effects of Combining Alcohol and Benzos
Benzodiazepines are a treatment for people withdrawing from alcohol abuse or addiction. However, taking in alcohol while taking benzos increases the risk of overdose and death. Alcohol and benzos have the same effect on the brain, so doubly dosing the brain with similar substances can affect someone emotionally, physically, and mentally. Subsequently, adverse anxiety and depression symptoms can amplify.
The effects of combining alcohol and benzos can include the following consequences:
- Increased risk of overdose and death: In cases of overdose, not including death, brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain can occur because when mixed breathing difficulties are likely to happen, resulting in organ damage
- Decreased physical reactions: Motor coordination is directly affected by mixing alcohol and benzos. High-risk situations can result in bodily injury because simple routine actions are highly affected. Use of any mechanical equipment during this period could result in severe consequences.
- Reduction in cognitive ability: Because of the intensified effect of mixing alcohol and benzos, the ability to make rational decisions is greatly affected. Being in this state can put an individual in dangerous situations they cannot cope with.
- Inability to control emotions: Hostile and aggressive behaviors can result from mixing alcohol and benzos. Being irritable and unreasonable can affect relationships with friends, families, and coworkers.
The University of California San Francisco Medical Center research maintains that long-term use of benzodiazepines correlates with an increased risk of dementia. In addition, mixing alcohol with benzos can intensify the danger. The effects of combining alcohol and benzos can include long-term problems with sustaining consistent brain chemistry. Ultimately, it is always best practice to adhere to a prescription’s warning signs and abstain from using alcohol with medications.
The Date Rape Drug Cocktail: Rohypnol And Alcohol
Taking the date rape drug Rohypnol in high doses can result in many hazardous effects. Moreover, when combined with alcohol, this central nervous system depressant can dangerously slow breathing and heart rate. The effects of combining alcohol and benzos could be respiratory depression leading to severe oxygen deprivation. Continued use of Rohypnol or Ketamine with alcohol causes negative implications for the brain and can result in irreversible brain damage.
Odorless, tasteless, and easily dissolved in liquids, this date rape drug combined with alcohol can cause incapacitating effects to intensify. In addition, Rohypnol misuse can result in amnesia, and if sexually assaulted under its effects, the victim has no memory of the attack. Therefore, awareness of who surrounds someone while drinking alcohol is a protective measure one should adopt. As a result, anyone using substances while drinking alcohol is a danger to stay away from.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox from Alcohol and Benzo Misuse
A person shouldn’t quit using alcohol and Benzos cold turkey alone without medical supervision. The unpredictable effects of mixing alcohol and benzos could adversely affect the body when the substances are no longer in use. However, medically monitored detox is a program designed to address the management of challenging detoxification. Withdrawal from an alcohol use disorder alone is potentially fatal.
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol abuse include susceptibility to seizures and delirium tremens. Delirium tremens will induce hallucinations and paranoia, which can lead to a dangerous increase in heart rate. Potentially, stroke or heart attack could occur during detox from alcohol. However, professional treatment centers are familiar with detox from alcohol and benzos and can adequately monitor the detoxification process.
Medically monitored detox with the possibility of medication-assisted treatment can allow a safe detox to occur. When inquiring with treatment centers, ask questions about their detox program to be sure these options are available. In addition, the effects of combining alcohol and benzos should be at the forefront of the decision-making process when seeking treatment. As a result, detox without medical management could result in an unsafe relapse situation.
Explore Options for Alcohol and Benzo Abuse in Tennessee
Those investigating the possibility of treatment in Tennessee for someone who abuses alcohol and benzos can find help with Detox West. Equally important, our compassionate and professionally trained admissions counselors can answer your questions and describe the programs offered at three locations. We understand how frightening this significant step to accept help and treatment can be, and we want to assure you we have the programs you need.
Contact us today to begin forming the foundation of a successful treatment program.