Mixing alcohol and Xanax is an often extremely dangerous and even deadly combination. Xanax is a depressant that works by suppressing the brains natural ability to fire off neurons and thus causes a relaxed and calming feeling in the user and will also depress the central nervous system. Alcohol is also a depressant which acts in a similar fashion by depressing the central nervous system. The combined effects of mixing Xanax with alcohol can create a super depressive mood in the body and brain and can even prevent certain key body parts from performing their vital functions such as the brain, kidneys and liver, which are all prone to shutting down if a large enough mixture of both substances are taken.
While taking Xanax, it’s usually highly recommended that the user avoids drinking any alcohol whatsoever as Xanax often dramatically increases the effects of alcohol. People who are usually fine after a couple of drinks may find themselves completely intoxicated after only just one while taking Xanax. This may depend on the users tolerance levels to alcohol as well as other factors including the type of alcohol, their medication dosages or whether or not they are male or female.
Some users who are already taking Xanax feel the need to wash it down with alcohol in order to help them get a certain “buzz” out of the drug. This is a dangerous game that they’re playing and it is highly recommended that no one tries this. Likewise, a lot of party goers will also mix Xanax with a bit of alcohol together in order to create that same buzz and likewise, it is also an extremely dangers concoction to be messing with. Taking Xanax while one has no need for it (I.E, anxiety disorders) is extremely dangers due to the drugs addictive nature. In some people, especially women who have a lower tolerance for chemical substances, one dosage of Xanax can be enough to trigger withdrawal symptoms and even a full blown addiction can occur.
Besides the drugs addictive properties, serious medical conditions and even death can arise when mixing Xanax with alcohol. Passing out are both common side effects and combined, the chances of the user passing out are increased dramatically. Not only that, but vomiting is also a side effect that are shared by Xanax and alcohol. All of this combined can lead to (and has caused many deaths in the past) the user passing out and drowning on their own vomit.
The combination of alcohol with Xanax can cause psychological and medical problems such as, but not limited to:
- Loss of short term memory, or if a large enough amount is consumed, long term memory loss
- Extreme dizziness
- Inability concentrate
- Severe headaches and migraines
- Drowsiness and a constant feeling of wanting to faint
- Unusual behaviors, mostly attributed to alcohols ability to cause judgement impairments in a user, though combined with Xanax these impairments are intensified
- A complete lack of coordination and motor skills
- Nausea and vomiting
These are only a few of the less severe side effects that combining alcohol and Xanax together can cause. If large enough dosages of the substances are ingested, the user can suffer from severe medical conditions such as, but not limited to:
- Coma
- Esophagus damage due to an increase in vomiting
- Seizures
- Permanent brain damage
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Heart attacks
- Death
Doctors will typically look at a persons medical and psychological history to determine if whether or not their patient is likely to abuse the drug by mixing Xanax and alcohol together. Any indication of a previous addiction to any substances, be it alcohol, drugs (prescribed, over the counter or recreational) or any other substances are heavily considered before prescription Xanax to a patient in order to help prevent the abuse of the drug by any means, especially by mixing it with alcohol which is one of the leading causes of death associated with Xanax.
Xanax as well as alcohol are not something that should be mixed together lightly. If you’re a heavy consumer of alcohol and are looking to start a prescription of Xanax, it’s advisable that you tell your doctor to see if they’re able to prescribe something else, or help with any drinking problems you may have. If you do plan on taking Xanax and having the occasional alcoholic beverage, it is extremely important that you tell your doctor before you start taking Xanax. For some people who take a small dosage of Xanax, for example only 0.25mg a day, a light alcoholic beverage after a few hours can be harmless, this all depends however on the person, their size, their sex (males typically have a higher tolerance than females when it comes to alcohol) their dosage of Xanax and the alcoholic beverage.