How Does Lorazepam Interact With Alcohol?

Lorazepam Interaction With Alcohol

People who are experiencing anxiety may be prescribed lorazepam as a way to mitigate the issue. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. Also within this class of medication are Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. These act to enhance the workings of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps suppress the neural activity within the brain that causes feelings of anxiety.

Becoming addicted to Lorazepam

Lorazepam isn’t recommended as a long-term solution to help alleviate the anxiety one experiences. Health professionals only prescribe this drug for several weeks, as long-term usage can lead to addiction.

Even after a short time using Lorazepam, some individuals may exhibit addiction withdrawal symptoms. Also, within the small window of time that one may be prescribed this benzodiazepine, there can be a tendency to abuse the drug.

Lorazepam mimics alcohol

Some of the effects Lorazepam exhibits can be similar to those experienced with alcohol. That is, people may feel a “buzz” or uplift in their mood. Also, there can be a sensation of being inebriated. Some people may want to enhance these effects by drinking alcohol. Yet, consuming alcohol while taking Lorazepam can cause negative side effects and may be fatal.

Drinking while on Lorazepam

Some people may be tempted to consume alcohol while on a prescribed course of Lorazepam. One report states that 41% of those struggling with alcohol addiction abuse benzodiazepines to increase the effect of alcohol or as a way of coping with alcohol withdrawal.

However, seeking to magnify the ecstatic feelings that taking both substances may provide also increases the risk of severe side effects.

The Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Because alcohol has a sedative effect, some people take advantage of this by using alcohol to help them “loosen up” and become more sociable.

Yet, the side effects of alcohol consumption can be:

  • Mood swings
  • Coordination issues
  • Slurring speech
  • Short term memory issues
  • Blackouts
  • Tremors
  • a decrease in heart rate and breathing
  • Feeling tired

Lorazepam’s Effects

As we mentioned earlier, lorazepam has a similar influence on an individual as alcohol does. This is a reason why it is prescribed for individuals who are withdrawing from drinking.

The side effects are also those associated with alcohol, such as tiredness, poor coordination, and an inability to concentrate. Individuals who are on Lorazepam may also experience:

  • Dizziness
  • The sensation of being light-headed
  • Loss of strength

Mixing Alcohol with Lorazepam

Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines can be fatal. Again, the side effects are parallel to those of both alcohol and Lorazepam. Yet, the level is more severe and potentially life-threatening.

The issue is exacerbated by the fact that one can build up an immunity to the desired effect of these substances. This leads to individuals needing to drink more or take more pills to get that “buzz” or the feeling of being intoxicated they are seeking.

The chance of overdosing has increased. Also, the probability of having an adverse reaction to consuming alcohol with Lorazepam has risen.

The symptoms of combining alcohol and benzodiazepines are:

  • extreme drowsiness
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Lack of coordination
  • Erratic and abnormal behavior
  • Poor memory
  • Blackouts
  • Impaired coordination

The central nervous system is also affected. This results in difficulty breathing as well as a slowing down of the heart rate. These problems have fatalistic potential.

Why Do People Drink While Taking Lorazepam?

We have already considered that one reason people combine alcohol with benzodiazepines is to heighten the perceived positive effect of the substances.

Another reason is that people consider using legally prescribed drugs a safer option than mixing alcohol with illicit drugs. So, there is an implication that the individual won’t suffer from any self-conceived side effects.

A final suggestion is that because alcohol is widely available, it makes it an attractive option for those who want to misuse drugs.

Conclusion

Lorazepam belongs to a class of benzodiazepines, which are drugs used to alleviate anxiety. It acts similarly to the sedative nature of alcohol.

Also, like alcohol, those who take Lorazepam feel a buzz. Some individuals seek to add alchemy to the equation to enhance this sensation. This practice increases the negative side effects. The possibility of a fatalistic outcome is also expanded.

Those who are prescribed Lorazepam need to abstain from alcohol throughout treatment. If you feel you have become addicted to this drug, please consult your physician or contact a treatment center.

57 comments
  1. Inasmuch as Lorazepam can help people with anxiety issues, using it for a very long time poses a high risk because it is addictive . It’s even more dangerous to mix
    alcohol with Lorazepam.
    This article really opened my eyes to things I never knew before. Ignorance is dangerous. I will try my best to share this article because I want others to get the knowledge I got from this article..kudos to the writer

  2. In fact, I’d never knew that Mood swings, Coordination issues, Slurring speech are also part of side effects of alcohol. One should always be careful.

  3. Drugs and alcohol never mix. Or do they? I guess they do in compounding your issues that is. Do mot get me wrong occasional drinking aint bad and drugs well they make us better. However abusing them is a different story if you ask me.

  4. It is very important and necessary that those who are prescribed Lorazepam need to abstain from alcohol throughout their treatment. At least this will make the treatment work.

  5. Thus article is highly informative and educative. Nonetheless, the effects of alcohol and lorazepam have been unveiled through this piece of writing.

  6. Recommendation of this kind of medicine shouldn’t made at all considering it effects on the body when excessively used. Better still the patient that needs this should be made to come to the hospital under the supervision of the nurse.

  7. it isn’t bad to take Lorazepam if you are prescribed that by the doctor but it is best not to take it with alcohol since it will come with side effects that will be detrimental to the body.

  8. This is an amazing article and a very well detailed one. Thank you detox fir this It was really helpful.

  9. This article is well detailed and it isn’t in any one best interest to take alcohol with Lorazepam. The probability of having an adverse reaction of consuming alcohol with Lorazepam is always very high.

  10. Having black out as a result of addiction isn’t something palatable. Whatever is tagged bad, let us all flee from it.

  11. As good as lorazepam is to cure anxiety, it should not be abused. If one takes it for too long, it may lead to addiction, which later affects one’s health. This is a lesson for others. It is informative and educative. Thanks for sharing.

  12. The mixture of lorazepam and alcohol is deadly following or considering the above article. People have to do away with this.

  13. This post is so educative. This is the first time I’m hearing of Lorazepam, it’s effect and the result of combining it with alcohol.

  14. I never knew that there’s a relationship between these two. This article has really enlighten me which makes it educative and informative.

  15. Adherence to doctors prescription is very important lest what you should help becomes a danger… Let’s take heed to this write-up and similar content… Thanks Detox.

  16. Alcohol addiction is not helping matters. Combining it with lorazepam will worsen the situation. The article is well structured

  17. I love reading your articles. They’re very informative and comprehensive. It talks so much about individual life.

  18. The effect of this drug is not the solution to the long term effect of anxiety surely. Users of this drug needs to know that it has negative effects when taken with alcohol.

  19. Mixing Lorazepam with alcohol is likened to adding petrol to fire. Do not get addicted and see how life can be on all forts without complications.

  20. Abstinence is the key to alcoholism. Using lorazepam with alcohol has a lot of drastic and bad effects on users. They should try not to take it with alcohol.

  21. Using lorazepam causes fatal effects to users. Most users of alcohol should try to avoid taken lorazepam so that they won’t face such challenges faced with lorazepam usage.

  22. It’s no way safe and good for anyone to consider combining lorazepam and alcohol. These side effects and consequences are way too grave to be risked.

  23. I would definitely keep myself away from drugs. They enslave someone to the extend of impossibility to stop.

  24. This is an Informative Article that needs to be shared so everyone can be cautious of excessive intake of Alcohol.

  25. With these Information on the effects and symptoms of combining alcohol and benzodiazepines,those experiencing such will notice and get help ASAP

    1. Wow, I’ve never heard or read anything about Lorazepam. It’s great learning about its effect and how it reacts with alcohol.

  26. The consequences of alcohol are dangerous and unwholesome. However, it is crucial to avoid its dangers for a healthy lifestyle.

  27. The mixture of lorazepam in the body system is fatal and cause havoc if alcohol is been taken. Thanks for the update.

  28. I think good news to know about lorazepam which is drugs used to alleviate anxiety,so we will not use any more

  29. This kind of drug can cause severe addiction once used for long term. They should consider using xanax instead.

  30. I have never heard of where alcohol goes together with drugs. So definitely there is expected to be adverse effect when taken simultaneously.

  31. The effect of alcohol has been told through this article. this is very informative and educative post.

  32. I could imagine how this mixture can knock you off in a small amount of time. This article helps us, be aware of this. Sharing this with my love ones.

  33. Good read. I hope doctors that are prescribing Lorazepam make it very clear what the side effects are, especially when mixing it with alcohol. I think it would probably benefit the medical field, if they found a less harmful solution to alleviate pain. Obviously, this prescription cannot continue if the number of deaths keep rising. Thanks for the interesting message.

  34. People who consume alcohol are at serious risk of being affected by the interaction of drugs in their system. Alcohol should be avoided. Study has stated that even “moderate amount” of alcohol is also bad for health.

  35. I would advice that the person that uses lorazepam should stay away from alcohol. The side effects of the two is dangerous

  36. Alcohol really is something that people easily get addicted to, especially if it really feels good for them. Lorazepam just takes that high to a new level, or so these people think. They really should understand that anything taken in excess amounts is a dangerous thing to one’s loved ones, and one’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

  37. One should note that taking alcohol with Lorazepam is a very bad combination to be taken by people. This is an important and detailed information. Thanks for sharing this here.

  38. Wow! This article needs to be shared across to those in the addition of Lorazepam with alcohol. There are almost all the negative effects are mentioned in the article. Thank you for sharing this information here for us to see and learn.

  39. Wow! This drug is surely one that should not be messed with. If there is a way to stay off alcohol, for those who drink when taking this medication, is best to avoid it completely. It is better to be safe than sorry.

  40. This drug is surely one that should not be messed with. If there is a way to stay off alcohol, for those who drink when taking this medication, is best to avoid it completely. It is better to be safe than sorry.

  41. mixture of both the two drugs really gives serious health( physical as well mental) problem, and can have have a long term effect. so one should avoid it as far as possible.

  42. I think medical professionals should come up with an alternative for lorazepam. As it is lorazepam is quite addictive.

  43. Better still the patient that needs this should be made to come to the hospital under the supervision of the nurse. There are almost all the negative effects are mentioned in the article. Thank you for sharing this information here for us to see and learn.

  44. Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people.

  45. When taking any medication, the best way to avoid overdose is to stay away from alcohol. It has bad effects when taken together of both substances which can be fatal.

  46. Using this drug for long really will kill oneself. Alcohol with drugs like this also is a no go please, we see how dangerous it could be. God help us

  47. Lorazepam with alcohol is a time bomb, we need share this so that people can read this great article. Once prescribed with Lorazepam,run away from alcohol.

  48. Basically mixing alcohol with any drug is a no no. The case can be particularly dangerous if the drug in question is lorazepam and elaborated in the article.

  49. I am surprised that given how addictive it can be, lorazepam is still prescribed as an anxiety drug. It is high time the medical professionals come up with an alternative.

  50. Prescription drug abuse in many ways can be more dangerous than abuse of illicit drugs. This write up clearly highlights that fact

  51. It’s interesting that lorazepam actually mimics alcohol in its effects. no wonder those who use it have the urge to use alcohol.

  52. Anyone with a lorazepam prescription should be advised to stay away from alcohol as much as possible. It’s the only way they can survive.

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