Xanax and alcohol are two substances that are very commonly abused together. The more Xanax you take and the more alcohol you drink at the same time, the worse the problem gets. Even a little Xanax with alcohol can be life-threatening. Alcohol can be safely used by many people as a way to relax or unwind from the day. However, many people develop a dependency on alcohol. The same holds for Xanax. If taken as directed by a doctor, Xanax can be very beneficial, but if it is abused it can become deadly.
How Binge Drinking Damages the Body
Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways. This causes impaired judgment, impaired motor skills, and mood problems. When alcohol is abused for a long time it can cause:
- Certain types of cancer
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
- Steatosis or fatty liver
- Alcoholic Hepatitis
- Pancreatitis
Binge drinking is also very dangerous in the short term. Bad short-term effects of alcohol are:
- Blackouts
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Impaired vision
What is Xanax?
Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, is a powerful antianxiety drug. It is also used to treat panic disorders and to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. Xanax/Alprazolam is part of the benzodiazepine drug family. Alprazolam works by affecting the brain and the rest of the central nervous system.
Is Alprazolam Addictive?
Alprazolam also has ill effects when abused. Alprazolam can be very beneficial when it is taken with a physician’s approval and as directed. Xanax reacts poorly to alcohol, and it is very unlikely that your doctor will approve of alcohol use while you are taking it. Many doctors are now hesitant to prescribe Xanax because it is so addictive.
What is a Benzodiazepine?
Other well-known benzodiazepines are, Valium and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines can be short-acting or long-acting. Generally, short-acting benzodiazepines are used as tranquilizers or anti-anxiety medication. Long-acting benzodiazepines are generally used as sleep aids.
Is Mixing Xanax and Alcohol Dangerous?
Mixing alcohol and Xanax can cause someone to experience a euphoric high. Because the person is feeling so good it can become difficult for them to keep track of how many drinks they have consumed and how many Xanax they have taken. Depending on the Alprazolam to alcohol ratio, the high can be uncomfortable. That can lead many people to overdose to try to get the right proportions of Alprazolam to alcohol to create an enjoyable high.
The side effects of mixing Alprazolam and alcohol are:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Loss of alertness
- Aggression/irritability
- Any side effects that Xanax or alcohol might have on their own can also be felt when the substances are mixed
Cognitive problems can occur like:
- Lowered Reasoning skills
- Lessened Critical thinking abilities
- Poor Self-control
- Poor Planning
- Impaired Judgment
It is very important to seek medical help right away if you experience these symptoms while taking Alprazolam whether or not you are taking it with alcohol:
- Any allergy symptoms like
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling, especially of the tongue/throat/face
- Itching
- Severe dizziness
- Yellowing eyes
- Yellowing skin
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors
- Depressed mood
- Uncontrollable movements
- Pounding or fluttering heartbeat
Can the Combination of Xanax and Alcohol Be Deadly?
Yes. The liver processes both the Xanax and the alcohol. However, because the liver puts the priority on processing the alcohol, a dangerous amount of Xanax can build up in the user’s system. It is important to remember that sometimes just because you don’t feel the effects of a drug, it does not mean that it isn’t still in your system.
Can Skipping Doses of Xanax Make it Ok to Drink?
If the drug has built up over a period of time, in instances where you take it every day or nearly every day as prescribed by your physician or for any other reason, it will still be present in your system even if you do not take a dose that day and you can still experience the negative effects if you drink. In other words, just because you didn’t take Xanax the day before does not mean that it will not still be in your system the next day if you skip your medication and to go drink.
What is Polysubstance Abuse?
Taking both Alprazolam and alcohol together is a form of polysubstance abuse. Polysubstance abuse is when an individual abuses two or more drugs or substances at the same time. This condition is notoriously hard to treat. Patients who receive treatment for polysubstance abuse can successfully complete a clinical drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and stay on their road to recovery but their recovery will be a lot more unpredictable than that of people who have only abused one substance.
Is Polysubstance Abuse Hard to Treat?
Many people suffer from polysubstance abuse disorder and many make long-lasting recoveries. Several notorious polysubstance abuse pairs are:
- Cocaine and alcohol
- Heroin and cocaine
- Heroin and alcohol
Polysubstance abuse, including abuse of Xanax and alcohol, is complicated but it is not rare or unresearched. Our professionals are well versed in what you need and how to help you make a long-lasting recovery.
Is it Impossible to Start My Road to Recovery if I Abuse Multiple Drugs?
It is also not uncommon for someone to abuse three or more drugs instead of just two. This also falls under the realm of polysubstance abuse. Once more, while this can be tricky, our team of experts have had experience in helping people with all forms of polysubstance abuse. You will be in good hands.
Are there a lot of Co-occurring Disorders?
If a person has co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis, treatment becomes even more complicated. Co-occurring disorders are when someone has both a substance abuse disorder and another mental health disorder at the same time. 8.4 million adults have co-occurring disorders. 7.4% receive treatment for both disorders while 53.7% receive no treatment at all.
Do I Have to Get Help for Both My Mental Health Condition and Addiction?
If you have co-occurring disorders and you only receive treatment for your substance abuse disorder, you have a very slim chance of maintaining your sobriety after your clinical treatment. This is because your underlying reason for abuse is the same. Many people with addiction disorders start abusing substances to try to self-medicate. If someone has depression but completes a clinical recovery program without addressing their depression and why that drives them to drink, recovery will often not last long.
Can a Mental Disorder Cause Addiction?
If someone gets help for their schizophrenia but not their Alprazolam use disorder the drug abuse will not go away on its own. The underlying mental health issue might start someone on the course of addiction but it is not the only thing keeping them addicted. Addiction is its own distinct mental health disorder. However, the two mental health disorders do feed off each other.
What Mental Health Conditions Commonly Lead to Addiction?
Some common mental health disorders that initiate or worsen substance abuse are:
- Depression
- Bipolar
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Schizophrenia
What is a Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Program?
Whether someone abuses multiple drugs at once or they only abuse one drug alone, the basic treatment plan for polysubstance abuse and single substance abuse are the same. The person goes through:
- Detoxification
- Residential treatment
- PHP (Partial Hospital Program)
- IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)
Some people with addiction disorders do start out in the IOP and progress from there. That is only possible if the patient has abused only certain substances for a short amount of time.
What Can I Expect From a Xanax Detox?
When a person is detoxifying from their substances at a reputable addiction recovery clinic, they will be monitored 24 hours a day. Detoxification from polysubstance abuse can be risky and unpredictable. Fortunately, it is possible with the help of trained medical professionals. Detoxification from alcohol and Xanax cannot and should not be done in a non-clinical setting.
If you suddenly stop taking Xanax you might experience:
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
- Blood pressure changes
- Seizures
What Can I Expect From an Alcohol Detox?
Suddenly stopping alcohol after developing an alcohol dependence can also be unpleasant if it is not supervised by the proper medical personnel. Some side effects of suddenly stopping alcohol are:
- Trembling (Shakes)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
How Long Does it Take to Detoxify from Xanax and Alcohol?
It is important to remember that when you go through detoxification at a reputable clinical drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic you will be given medication that will lessen these symptoms and make recovery a lot easier. You are already suffering from your Xanax and alcohol addictions. Withdrawal from Alprazolam only takes a few days to a week. Alcohol withdrawal takes around 5-7 days for symptoms to lessen.
Can I Start an IOP Right Away if I Have Abused Xanax and Alcohol?
After going through detoxification, the patient will start in residential treatment. It is highly unlikely that someone with a history of abusing two or more drugs would be started in an outpatient program. Going through the residential treatment program, PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), and the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) sequence can be very beneficial. It does take longer but it will help you in the long run. An IOP is best for some people to try first, but our clinic takes a holistic approach and we look at you as an individual and what your needs are.
The Next Step in the Recovery Journey
After your treatment program, you will be discharged to work with a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). NA and AA programs are well known and there are local chapters of the groups around the country. NA and AA do not take funding from outside individuals or companies. All group expenses are paid for by donations from members of the organization. The groups are nationwide and there is likely to be at least one in your community.
When you are ready to begin your clinical journey and path to long term sobriety please contact us or call us at: (xxx) xxx-xxxx
https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-body
https://www.drugs.com/xanax.html
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/alprazolam-(Xanax)
Rebecca Baskett 
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