Xanax and alcohol both come into the category of depressants. They both slow down nervous system activity. Now you know that both the products cause nervous system activity to slow down so what happens when they both combine.
Let’s Find Out The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol And Xanax
Xanax consists of 1mg alprazolam blue, a drug used for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax comes into the category of anti-anxiety drugs known as benzodiazepines.
Let’s see what side effects are caused by Xanax alone:
- Seizures
- Memory problems
- Loss of coordination
Now see some serious side effects of having too much alcohol alone:
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Impaired coordination
- Alcohol poisoning
With both having already quite enough side effects when used alone. Now imagine the intensity of side effects when they are used together in combined form. It’s a lethal combination as the individual effects intensify when combined.
Do have a look at the side effects, overdose, and also the long-term effects on the body when Alcohol and Xanax are used together in a combination.
Alcohol And Xanax Interaction
Using Alcohol with Xanax will escalate the side effects of both substances. The interesting part is that researchers from around the globe don’t know why this happens exactly. A usual conclusion is that it happens due to the chemical reactions between Xanax and Alcohol in the body.
An animal research study of 2018 concludes that ethanol present in alcoholic beverages is the main ingredient of the substance. It can raise the maximum concentration of Xanax in the bloodstream.
Combining them both can give you an intense high or buzz. But do not forget that it will result in amplified side effects as well. Your liver has to do the maximum work as only it can break down both Xanax and Alcohol in the body.
Sedation
Most of you might know that both Xanax and alcohol show sedative effects. And the substances that have sedative effects may give you fatigue, impairment, or drowsiness. Using any one of them can make you feel sleepy.
Sedative-like substances also affect your muscles that can alter your muscle control, balance, and coordination. You might stumble while walking or mumble your speech.
All these sedative effects drastically increase when Alcohol and Xanax are used together.
Mood And Behavioral Effects
Xanax may give you a depressed mood as well as confusion and irritability. Some people may experience suicidal thoughts when they use Xanax but it’s not a common phenomenon. There are some other rare side effects also such as:
- Hostile behavior
- Rage
- Aggression
Alcohol affects people’s moods in a wide range of behavior. Even though it’s a depressant, in some people it gives them a temporary mood boost while others may have negative side effects such as feelings of sadness.
After having Alcohol people lose their inhibitions and undermine judgment due to which they do things or activities that normally they wouldn’t do.
And these behavioral effects and mood changes increase drastically when Xanax and alcohol are taken together.
Memory Impairments
Alcohol and Xanax are both substances that can make you lose your memory for some time. Now, think for yourself how they will affect your memory when taken together. The combined effect of both the substances may give you a blackout that is you won’t remember a thing that happened after taking Xanax and Alcohol together.
Physical Side Effects
Fatigue and drowsiness are the common side effects of Xanax, below are some more physical side effects:
- Headaches
- Low blood pressure
- Blurred vision
Xanax can also give you some gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Excessive consumption of alcohol can also lead to gastrointestinal issues combined with headaches and blurred vision. Now analyze for yourself the combined effect of these two substances will drastically increase the risk of physical side effects.
Long-Term Effects
Long-term use of Alcohol and Xanax is connected with the development of psychological and physical dependence. This means the body gets habitual to both substances and depends on them for proper functioning without getting any withdrawal side effects. Withdrawal symptoms that can occur are irritability, anxiety, and in some cases seizures also.
Long term usage of Xanax and Alcohol significantly escalate the high risk for problems given below :
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Memory and cognitive impairments
- Reduced sex drive
- Depression
- Liver failure or damage
- Personality changes
- Cancer
- Stroke and heart disease
- Other chronic illnesses
- Overdose of Xanax and alcohol
Xanax and Alcohol may result in life-threatening overdose when they are taken together.
Call for emergency medical services if someone is at immediate risk for suicide.
Overdose symptoms of Xanax and Alcohol
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Immediately call the doctor or emergency medical help, if someone has taken both the substances together and is showing the following symptoms of overdose:
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Damaged coordination
- Bad reflexes
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
Taking high doses of any of these substances can be dangerous. When they are combined, side effects can be lethal and even cause death.
Lethal Dose of Xanax And Alcohol
Xanax Dosage varies from person to person and also in the form of Xanax such as immediate or extended-release. The dose may vary from a range of 1 to 10 milligrams daily. You may be taking Xanax for some time with no side effects at all. But the addition of alcohol and its combined effects can give serious and unpredictable side effects.
A lethal dose is dependent on a lot of factors, which are:
- Your weight, age, sex.
- Your body’s potential to metabolize both Xanax and Alcohol
- Your tolerance to either of the substance
- Other health issues, such as liver, heart, or kidney conditions
- If you have taken other drugs or additional medication.
The conclusion is that the effect of these substances is not the same for all. A safe dose for someone could be very dangerous for someone else. So. There is no fixed recommended dose or a safe dose. You should remember that taking Xanax 1mg and Alcohol together will always be unsafe and dangerous.
When To Know It’s An Emergency
If you feel someone has taken an overdose and showing symptoms of it. Call the doctor or emergency medical help immediately. Do not make the mistake of waiting for the overdose symptoms to get worse as it could be life-threatening.
Until the emergency help arrives, talk to the doctor and follow the instructions as it can stabilize the person till the help arrives.
Seeking Medical Assistance For An Addiction
If you are under doubt about using Xanax and alcohol and don’t know how to track the overdose, some ways can help.
The first step you can take is to speak to your doctor (general physician) to know about your health options. Your doctor’s advice can hugely benefit you and can drastically reduce the risk of severe side effects. For further assistance, you must find an addiction specialist.
Your doctor can also help you in finding a professional addiction specialist. You can even find a list of professionals and deaddiction centers from a local health department.
Conclusion
Xanax and Alcohol amplify each other’s effects on the body. Their combination may cause overdose and is not safe at all. Everyone who is using them together should be aware of their side effects that can even lead to death.
Prevention is always better than cure so beware.
