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Originally Posted On: https://treatmentindiana.com/risks-of-mixing-alcohol-and-xanax/

 

A combination of Alcohol and Xanax should always be avoided. Drinking alcohol while taking Xanax can lead to excessive sedation, slowing the brain and central nervous system. You may also experience difficulty breathing and slow motor skills. While both substances are depressants, they can work for some conditions, such as seizures and panic disorder. If you are an alcoholic, avoid taking Xanax and treat your alcohol addiction first from one of the top centers in the United States, the Indiana Center for Recovery. Our treatment center helps thousands of addicts to overcome alcohol abuse. We understand that you are facing life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, so we provide you with therapy programs, including group or individual.

What is Xanax?

Xanax is a pharmacologically active drug that is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. Xanax is taken three times daily, with one dose taken right before bed. You can take the medication regularly to maintain a steady drug level in the body and increase effectiveness. It is also important to take the medication on the same day every day to reduce the chances of missing a dose. You can set an alarm or timer on your phone to remind you to take your medication. Anti-anxiety medication side effects can be severe if not used properly.

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Xanax

A mixture of alcohol with Xanax can lead to several serious side effects. People who use both substances are at a higher risk of unconsciousness and passing out. A dangerous combination can result in overdose or even death. Below are a few things you must know before mixing Xanax with alcohol.

Xanax and Alcohol Are Depressants

Alcohol and Xanax work by affecting the same brain receptors. Both drugs are depressants, inhibiting brain communication and decreasing overall brain activity. These drugs may also increase feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. However, combining alcohol with Xanax can lead to severe sedation and death. They also increase depression symptoms, including the risk of respiratory depression, which causes slow breathing and insufficient oxygen supply in the lungs. Severe symptoms may result in cardiac arrest and brain damage.

Alcohol and Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

While alcohol and Xanax withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to cope with, they are not life-threatening unless you use extremely high doses of the drug. Symptoms include heart palpitations, high blood pressure, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Both substances can cause extreme sleepiness and loss of consciousness. Other potential side effects may include muscle aches, drowsiness, and heaviness in the extremities.

In addition, the sedative effects of both drugs can affect coordination and lead to accidents. You may also experience hallucinations and confusion. If these symptoms are recurring, seek medical attention.

For this reason, it’s essential to seek treatment if you’re using alcohol and Xanax in conjunction. Indiana Center for Recovery is available 24/7 to provide you therapy with integrated care.

Xanax and Alcohol Affect Your Muscles

Both alcohol and Xanax affect the same receptors in your brain. They can significantly affect muscle function and increase your risk of a fatal overdose. Also, combining the two can lead to respiratory depression, which causes your breathing to become sluggish or even stop. This can cause cardiac problems, as well as a loss of consciousness.

Cause Sleep Disorder

Xanax and alcohol affect your muscle tone and mood. Both are depressant medications and can interfere with sleep. If you’re worried about taking both, talk to your doctor before starting a Xanax and alcohol combination. You could experience withdrawal symptoms.

Xanax and Alcohol Can Cause Overdose

Combining alcohol and Xanax can lead to an overdose, even if the combined dose is small. In addition, alcohol increases the concentration of Xanax in the bloodstream, which may result in respiratory depression. As a result, an overdose can be fatal.

The combination of alcohol and Xanax can lead to an overdose by interfering with each other’s metabolization process. This means that alcohol will not completely break down Xanax, and Xanax will remain in the system for hours. The combined effects can cause a person to go into a coma or lose consciousness.

Effect on The Central Nervous System

Xanax and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include liver enzymes and mental health problems. These drugs inhibit the activity of neurons in the central nervous system, which in turn causes a wide range of physical and psychoactive effects. Both drugs act by decreasing the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain. Both drugs are similar in their actions, but the effects of each depend on the dose.

Cause Suicidal Thoughts

Both drugs have sedative properties, so the combination can cause a severe lack of control over bodily functions. This can lead to a depressed mood and even suicidal thoughts. Additionally, combining the two drugs can cause liver damage, requiring a liver transplant. Although it’s rare to experience an overdose from mixing Xanax and alcohol, it is crucial to avoid it at all costs.

Treatment Options to Overcome Xanax and Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol and Xanax addiction treatment centers offer counseling and programs to help clients overcome addiction. Some of these programs include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which allows individuals to understand the underlying disorder that led to drug addiction. These programs also help individuals work through their emotional traumas and learn how to maintain a sober lifestyle. It is also best to tell our counselor about your medical conditions before starting your treatment program.

Alcohol abuse and Xanax use can lead to dangerous long-term consequences. It is important to note that combining the two drugs will create a synergistic effect and make the withdrawal process more difficult. Addiction treatment centers for alcohol and Xanax addiction will help addicts kick both habits and guide them to lasting recovery. In addition, alcohol and Xanax abuse often require medical detox.

Inpatient or Residential Rehab

Inpatient treatment is the most intensive treatment for substance abuse. It includes a medically supervised detox and intensive therapy that addresses the underlying causes of addiction. The rehab environment removes triggers and outside distractions so patients can focus on recovery. Typically, people who choose to enter an inpatient rehab program spend between 21 and 90 days at the facility.

Our therapist will use various techniques to help clients better manage complex thoughts and emotions. This approach will also help the patient become more aware of their triggers and avoid them. In addition, patients will be given self-help books and relaxing music to help them cope with the stress associated with substance abuse.

Timeline of Residential Treatment Program

Residential treatment programs for Xanax addiction typically last 30 to 90 days and include a variety of treatments. Treatment activities may include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Many programs use cognitive behavioral therapy as a primary treatment approach, which can shift a person’s attitudes toward substance abuse and help them develop supportive coping tools. Residential treatment programs also focus on relapse prevention, which is essential if a person is to avoid relapse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can You Drink 4 Hours After Taking Xanax?

Alcohol and Xanax can cause a combination that potentially negatively affects your brain. Both drugs decrease neural activity, and combining them can cause severe sedation, slow breathing, loss of consciousness, or death. This combination should be avoided if at all possible.

The best way to avoid these side effects is to avoid drinking alcohol for at least four hours after taking Xanax. This is because the two drugs have similar results, and alcohol may increase both effects. According to the FDA, you should only drink alcohol after the last trace of the medication is gone. You should wait several days or weeks after your last dose.

Can You Take Xanax 2 Hours After Drinking?

Alcohol and Xanax are not the best partners in reducing anxiety. Alcohol can exacerbate the effects of Xanax, increasing the risk of an overdose. However, in some cases, alcohol and Xanax can be used in moderation without the risk of addiction. However, it is always best to consult a medical professional before combining the two drugs.

The half-life of Xanax is about 11 hours. This period is more extended than that of most medications. The half-life is the time it takes for half the medication to leave the body. This period can be longer for older adults. However, you should be aware that the half-life of Xanax is different for every individual.

What would happen if you took Xanax while drinking alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while taking Xanax can be a severe mistake. Both substances slow the liver’s ability to break down Xanax, resulting in a prolonged effect. This can lead to unconsciousness, impaired breathing, and seizures. In extreme cases, it can even lead to death.

If you took Xanax and alcohol at the same time, you would have a much higher risk of having an overdose. The withdrawal symptoms of Xanax will be more pronounced than when you take them separately. The side effects can also be more dangerous than if you don’t drink alcohol at all. You could even become addicted to both.

Is it okay to mix a small dose of Xanax with alcohol?

Xanax and alcohol can interact, and this interaction can be life-threatening in high doses. Alcohol metabolizes Xanax more quickly than Xanax, so when the two are combined, toxic amounts can build up in the body. This can lead to an overdose or an addiction.

While it is not illegal to mix alcohol and Xanax, it is not a good idea. The combination can cause severe side effects, including coma, seizures, and even death. Alcohol and Xanax can also decrease blood flow to the brain. This can cause an increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters, which can cause severe cognitive problems and even affect physical movement.

Get Help From Indiana Center for Recovery

Treatment programs for Xanax addiction at Indiana Center for Recovery must address the physical and psychological compulsions that fuel drug dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include agitation, insomnia, and thoughts of suicide. In some cases, an acute detox program is necessary, followed by a structured medication management plan.

However, if the patient’s dependence on drugs has reached the point where treatment is not enough, it’s usually recommended to seek treatment in a residential treatment program. There, patients can receive 24-hour care and supervision.

Get more information about our services by calling us at (844) 650-0064.