Mixing drugs, especially when using substances in excess, can have serious effects. In some cases, these interactions can even be fatal. Unfortunately, many people overlook these risks and continue mixing substances to achieve the desired, euphoric feelings.
Understanding the facts is important. Here’s what you need to know about combining alprazolam and alcohol.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine that comes in tablet form. It is often prescribed for anxiety, and it works by decreasing heightened activity within the brain. In other cases, doctors may prescribe Xanax for sleep disorders, depression, and premenstrual syndrome.
When taken as prescribed, this drug is meant to help reduce anxiety symptoms and promote a sense of calmness. However, many people take it in high doses recreationally to experience a high, euphoric feeling.
In addition to taking it recreationally, some people self-medicate their mental health symptoms with Xanax. Many times, instead of coping with the root of their distress, they turn to the drug for immediate relief.
This strategy tends to be short-lived. While Xanax can offer relief and reduce anxiety symptoms, that feeling tends to pass as soon as the drug is out of one’s system. As a result, people often try to take more to feel better about themselves.
Why Do People Abuse Xanax?
Benzodiazepines have become increasingly more common in recent years. Between 1996 and 2013, benzodiazepine prescriptions skyrocketed 67%.
Although physicians legally prescribe Xanax for short-term treatment for insomnia or anxiety, millions of individuals abuse this drug each year. People either take more than prescribed, shop around for different prescriptions, or buy Xanax off the streets.
Many people abuse Xanax because they can’t stop or reduce their use. Xanax. Even when legally prescribed, the drug can be incredibly addictive. Therefore, it’s easy to gain a quick tolerance to its intense effects.
This tolerance often leads people to need to take more of it. The withdrawal effects can be severely unpleasant, and the desire to avoid those effects may reinforce a vicious cycle. Unfortunately, this same cycle can lead (and maintain) a serious addiction.
What Are The Risks of Abusing Xanax?
Even within the medical community, Xanax use remains controversial. The prescription is generally meant to be short-term (about 2-6 weeks), but tolerance can occur faster than that. In addition, many people don’t recognize the full risks associated with taking this drug.
Some of the main risks associated with abusing Xanax include:
- Significant mood changes
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Nausea
- Coordination problems
- Seizures
- Severe confusion or disorientation
- Speech problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling detached from oneself or others
With that in mind, overdose persists as the main threat. Between 2002 to 2015, the number of deaths from benzodiazepine overdoses quadrupled. Subsequently, people are ten times more likely to die from an overdose when mixing benzodiazepines with opioids.
It’s also never considered safe to buy illicit drugs off the street. Today, it’s incredibly common for drugs to be cut with cheaper and more potent substances like fentanyl. Moreover, one can’t inherently detect fake Xanax just by looking at it.
What Are The Risks of Mixing Xanax and Alcohol?
The Xanax alcohol interaction is particularly dangerous. Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly common, as many people use both drugs to enhance certain effects.
Some of the main risks include:
- Respiratory failure
- Acute or permanent brain injuries
- Seizures
- Comas
Impaired Judgment and Memory
Combining Xanax and alcohol can intensify one’s “high,” which can significantly alter one’s consciousness. As a result, people might engage in more risky behavior than they normally would. This can lead to consequences with everything associated with driving under the influence to having unprotected sex to engaging in criminal activity.
Risk of Overdose
Both Xanax and alcohol can impair the central nervous system by slowing it down significantly. When used together, these effects are even more heightened. As a result, the body may become overwhelmed and shut down altogether.
Final Thoughts
Combining Xanax and alcohol can result in severe consequences. The risk is prevalent even after just one use. If you are struggling with substance use, it’s important to seek help.
Professional treatment can offer a beneficial path towards a sustainable recovery. Contact us today at (866) 578-7471to to learn more.
