The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Xanax

Xanax (alprazolam) is a prescription medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It is a central nervous system depressant that is used to treat anxiety conditions like panic disorder. It lessens anxiety by affecting a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).[1]

While Xanax is an effective treatment for anxiety, it is only intended for short-term or occasional use. This is because alprazolam is habit-forming and addictive. If you are taking Xanax as prescribed by your doctor, you might not be aware of its interactions with alcohol.

Since alcohol use has become normalized in our society, it’s easy to forget that mixing it with certain medications can be dangerous. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 80% of people have drunk alcohol at some point in their lifetime.[2]

Unfortunately, combining Xanax and alcohol can be incredibly dangerous. It could cause life-threatening symptoms like respiratory depression or liver damage. Mixing the substances can also increase your risk of developing an addiction to both drugs.

Why Would Someone Drink Alcohol While Taking Xanax?

If you take Xanax to treat your anxiety, you might not think about how it will interact with alcohol. You might find yourself out with friends after taking your Xanax and decide to have a drink or two. Unfortunately, you will quickly discover that you become extremely intoxicated after only a couple of drinks.

It is common for people to mix alcohol and Xanax intentionally as well. You might be curious about the high you will experience when combining these substances. Since alcohol and Xanax are both central nervous system depressants, you could experience sedative effects at dangerous levels.

Whether you combine Xanax and alcohol intentionally or by accident, doing so could be incredibly harmful. The effects of both substances will increase each other, leading to various risks like loss of consciousness, slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, and more. It is possible to overdose when you mix Xanax and alcohol, putting you in danger of life-threatening effects.

The Risks of Combining Alcohol and Xanax

It is dangerous to drink alcohol while you are taking Xanax. That said, it is common for people to ignore the risks when they are suffering from substance abuse issues. If that is the case, you should seek help from an addiction treatment center.

The risks of mixing alcohol and Xanax include:

Increased Sedation

When you take alcohol and Xanax together, the effects of both substances become amplified. This means you will be double the amount of intoxicated if you have only taken one of them. The effects of Xanax and alcohol both include drowsiness, so you could experience complete sedation.

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Cognitive Issues

Another danger to be aware of is that mixing Xanax and alcohol can lead to memory loss. You could find yourself unsure if you took your pills or wondering how many drinks you had. It is also possible that you will wake up the next morning unsure of what happened.

It is also possible for the mixture of Xanax and alcohol to cause cognitive impairments like not thinking clearly or having trouble making decisions. This can be especially dangerous if you get into situations like deciding whether you are sober enough to drive a car.

Injuries

Alcohol and Xanax are both known to cause drowsiness, impaired decision-making, and coordination issues. When you combine them, you are at a significant risk of experiencing injuries. You could try to swim and drown, get into a car accident, or experience significant galls that lead to broken bones.

Addiction

Both alcohol and Xanax are considered to be addictive substances. When you continue to mix them to experience a high, you are at risk of becoming addicted to both of them. Because of the risks associated with combining alcohol and Xanax, this type of polysubstance addiction can be incredibly dangerous.

If you believe that you or a loved one are addicted to Xanax and alcohol, it’s time to seek professional help. Clear signs of addiction include having a hard time controlling how much you consume, experiencing cravings to use Xanax or alcohol, and suffering from withdrawal symptoms when you are not intoxicated.

Liver Damage

Both alcohol and Xanax can cause long-term effects on your liver. Your liver has to metabolize alcohol and Xanax when you consume them. Taking them both at the same time repeatedly will cause unnecessary strain on your liver, potentially leading to permanent damage.

Increased Risk of Overdose

Both Xanax and alcohol affect your central nervous system. Taking them at the same time can lead to CNS and respiratory depression. Combining these substances can lead to a life-threatening overdose.

The symptoms of a Xanax and alcohol overdose include:[3,4]

• Memory issues
• Loss of consciousness and non-responsiveness
• Slowed breathing or heart rate
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Pale or clammy skin
• Blue tint to lips or fingernails

If you or a loved one experiences the symptoms of a Xanax or alcohol overdose, contact 911 immediately. You should also consider enrolling in a drug rehab program after you are treated for overdose symptoms.

Find Help for Alcoholism and Xanax Addiction

Overcoming alcoholism and Xanax addiction can be hard, but addiction treatment programs can make recovery possible. At The South Carolina Addiction Treatment Center, we offer evidence-based services for substance abuse recovery. We can provide you with all of the tools and support you need to regain control over your life.

Contact us today to learn more about our addiction treatment programs.

References:

1. Medline Plus: Alprazolam
2. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction (NIAAA): Alcohol Use in the United States 
3. The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Benzodiazepine Toxicity
4. Stanford University: Alcohol Overdose/Poisoning