Xanax and Alcohol
As anxiety disorder rates in the United States have risen over the years, Xanax has become increasingly popular. However, only 43% of people suffering from anxiety receive treatment. Rather than following a doctor’s directions, some people may choose to self-medicate with drugs such as Xanax or even alcohol.
Because these two substances have similar effects on the central nervous system, mixing them can be extremely harmful, and even life-threatening at high doses. Abusing alcohol and Xanax can also lead to long-term dependence and worsen the mental health problems that Xanax is intended to treat.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name for the prescription medication alprazolam. It is primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It is classified as a benzodiazepine, which is a type of sedative. Its calming and soothing effects make it a very effective short-term anxiety medication.
However, Xanax prescriptions are often abused. People who take it recreationally are not always aware that, in addition to its calming properties. Xanax can have several negative side effects, including:
- Seizures
- Tiredness
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
Is Xanax Addictive?
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Xanax is a Schedule IV drug, which means it has a low risk for dependence and low potential for abuse. Even so, since its introduction into the market in the 1980’s, it has become more apparent that it has addictive properties that have made it a popular drug to misuse.
Between 1996 and 2013, benzo prescriptions including Xanax increased by 67%.
Xanax’ primary appeal is its ability to sedate users. Some individuals find the sedative effect desirable, especially if they suffer from an anxiety or panic disorder.
If taken in high enough doses, Xanax can also create a type of euphoric high. This feeling can make recreational Xanax use appealing to individuals suffering from depression, as they are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol as a means of escape.
Part of the danger associated with addiction is developing a tolerance. A tolerance is the body's adjustment to having a constant supply of a drug.
Similarly to how an alcoholic will have to drink more and more over time to get drunk, individuals suffering from a Xanax or other benzo addiction will have to continually increase their dosage over time to get the same effect. This can be especially dangerous because Xanax is a central nervous system depressant.
Too much of a depressant can cause an overdose. For these reasons, Xanax is almost never prescribed for long-term or regular use. Rather, it is intended to be used to alleviate occasional panic or anxiety attacks, or be taken for a short period of time.
Can You Overdose On Xanax?
Yes. All benzodiazepines (benzos) are central nervous system depressants. Depressants such as Xanax increase the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter which slows brain and nervous system activity. This is partly the reason why depressants cause impairment of motor skills and coordination.
Depressants will also slow critical nerve and organ function. One of the side effects of a depressant overdose is significantly slowed breathing, which can cause long term internal damage.
Other side effects include:
- Slurred speech
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Confusion
- Inability to concentrate
If you consume too much of a depressant, your breathing can slow to a critically low level or even completely stop. Hypoxia, or the lack of oxygen flow to the brain, can cause long-term permanent brain damage and even death.
The primary medication used to treat benzo overdose is Flumazenil or Romazicon. If you think someone you know is experiencing a Xanax overdose, immediately call emergency services so they can administer the proper care.
How Alcohol Affects The Body
There is a misconception that alcohol is a stimulant because it can have a “stimulating, energetic” effect on a person when taken in small doses. The “liquid luck” idea is based on the fact that drinking a small amount of alcohol will make you more social and laidback.
However, alcohol is categorically a depressant because of the effect it has on motor skills and cognitive function. Furthermore, those energetic social highs experienced in the beginning are usually associated with strong crashes and further impairment.
Why You Shouldn’t Mix Xanax and Alcohol
In general, mixing two or more drugs will enhance the negative side effects of both drugs—sometimes dramatically. For example, from 2019 to 2020, benzodiazepine overdose visits increased 23.7%. Opioids are powerful depressants with a high potential for abuse.
Combining alcohol with benzos is especially harmful because they both slow down nerve and organ functions. Your risk of overdose is much higher than it would be with either substance on its own.
Alcohol and Xanax are both depressants. Either substance by itself can be abused to the point of inducing an overdose, so the two mixed together make for a deadly concoction. This is especially true because it is almost impossible to determine how much of each substance would lead to overdose.
Thus, combining two or more depressants always comes with a risk of fatal overdose. Further, the increased mental impairment can increase the chances that you engage in dangerous behavior such as driving or operating heavy machinery.
Getting Help For Prescription Drug Addiction
An estimated 12.6% of American adults used benzos in 2018, and over 17% of that sample were found to have abused them. Xanax addiction is not commonly talked about, since it is often overshadowed by opioid and alcohol use disorders. However, it is a serious condition with dangerous consequences. If you or a loved one are suffering from benzo or alcohol addiction, consider seeking professional help.
Sequoia Health’s holistic treatment programs specialize in treating both substance abuse and underlying mental health conditions. If you or someone you love needs help getting sober, contact us today.