Many people who abuse alcohol or drink every day also take one or more medications. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can be dangerous, and Xanax is one of them. Also called alprazolam by its generic name, the drug treats anxiety symptoms and is a sedative. It is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, and it is usually indicated for prescription use to treat anxiety symptoms. Alcohol also acts as a sedative, and mixing it with Xanax can lead to severe risks.1
Who Is Most at Risk for Alcohol and Xanax Misuse?
People who drink may be at a higher risk for misusing Xanax. A California study published in 2019 showed that “problem drinkers” were 15% more likely to use benzodiazepines than moderate drinkers or nondrinkers.2 Although benzodiazepine overdoses are on the rise, little attention is given to them. In 2017, benzodiazepines ranked third as the most misused drugs in the United States.3 It is essential to understand the dangers of alcohol and Xanax and the importance of alcohol detox in Costa Mesa.
How Alcohol and Xanax Interact
Although health experts know that chemical interactions exist between Xanax and alcohol, they are unsure about specific details. One study showed that ethanol (a substance present in alcohol) and alprazolam administered to rats intensified the detectable presence of alprazolam in the brain. As a result, they concluded that mixing the two substances increased toxicity risks.4
Risks of Mixing Xanax and Alcohol
There are several potential effects of mixing alcohol and Xanax since they are both sedatives.5 If the effects of one or both substances intensify because of an interaction, these are some of the symptoms that a person may notice:
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Low blood pressure
- Mood swings
- Loss of coordination
- Memory problems
- Hostility or aggressive behavior
- Seizures
If someone has a seizure or you think they are having one, call 911 immediately. Also, call 911 if someone loses consciousness. While the previous list includes some potential symptoms of combining the two substances, there may be other symptoms that relate individually to either alcohol or Xanax.
As a result, the symptoms people experience may differ. For example, one person may have nausea with some of the above symptoms, and another may experience vomiting. Long-term misuse of both substances may contribute to liver damage, heart disease, cancer, stroke, or other chronic illnesses.
Alcohol Detox in Costa Mesa: An Important First Step
Treating addiction when two substances are involved can be challenging. The first and most important step for someone misusing Xanax and alcohol is alcohol detox. This process rids the body of alcohol.
As a result, it is common to experience some unpleasant symptoms. Since seizures and other serious problems may come from alcohol and Xanax use, it is essential to detox under medical supervision.
Finding Help With an Alcohol Detox in Costa Mesa
At Clear Life Recovery, we’ll support and guide you on the path to recovery. We provide a full set of care from detox to addiction treatment and sober living. Our treatment methods are proven and effective.
We help our patients learn the strategies to beat the cycle of addiction and live fuller, happier lives. Our team also effectively treats people who struggle with addictions to multiple substances. In addition to treating the addiction, we look for underlying mental health treatment needs that are unmet. By treating the whole person, a person’s chance of staying in recovery is higher.
We offer supervised detox to help people feel more comfortable while the alcohol leaves their system. After that, we develop a custom treatment plan to treat alcohol and Xanax addiction. Treatment strategies depend on individual needs. We use several effective therapies and supplemental treatments to improve overall wellness. Please contact us to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one with alcohol detox in Costa Mesa.
Sources:
[1] https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-1/40-54.pdf
[2] https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2019/12/416196/problem-drinkers-have-higher-benzo-use-ucsf-kaiser-permanente-study-shows
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31121495/
[4] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17425255.2018.1483338
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/xanax-and-alcohol#xanax-and-alcohol-side-effects
