Alprazolam, more commonly known by the brand name Xanax, is an anti-anxiety and panic disorder medication. Alprazolam is part of a class of drug called benzodiazepines, which have the potential to be addictive. However, mixing them can also lead to more serious effects, including an increased risk of overdose from slowed breathing.
Interactions
It does this by boosting the effects of a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain known as gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). GABA helps https://sober-home.org/aetna-insurance-coverage-for-drug-addiction/ calm the brain’s activity, making a person feel more relaxed. It’s also sold in the generic form under its chemical name, alprazolam.
Mixing Xanax and Alcohol: Side Effects, Dangers, and Treatment
Combining both substances increases your risk for a blackout. In other words, after taking Xanax and alcohol together, you might not remember what happened. For some people it causes a temporary mood boost, although it’s a depressant. Others may experience negative side effects, like feelings of sadness. The drink isn’t known for its good taste; many say it tastes like a bitter, earthy drink, though most say the effects are worth it, even in mocktails. And although it’s not a regulated drug in the United States like alcohol or marijuana, it’s still recommended that patrons wait until they are 18 to consume it.
- Xanax is classified as a benzodiazepine, meaning that it has a sedative effect.
- Alcohol also has a sedative effect on the body, which is why the makers of Xanax warn against mixing the prescription medication with alcohol.
- Normal Xanax use involves taking the medication as prescribed by a medical professional, for a valid medical diagnosis.
- Taking these medications together for this purpose as prescribed by a doctor is not known to be harmful.
- These sedative effects increase when Xanax and alcohol are taken together.
Serious side effects
In particular, users who suddenly cease Xanax often experience intense levels of anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms may come to include intense aches and pains, insomnia, vomiting, uncontrollable shaking, mental instability and anxiety, and even life-threatening seizures. Persons who administer Xanax and alcohol should understand that the resulting reactions to the combination will be subject to individual variation.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
During black outs caused by alcohol, people usually make poor decisions because they’re drunk. Blacking out from Xanax and alcohol usually causes the same chain of events. Normal Xanax use involves taking the medication as prescribed by a medical professional, for a valid medical diagnosis.
If you no longer need to take Xanax and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. A generic drug is an exact medications for alcohol use disorder copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. To find out how the cost of alprazolam compares to the cost of Xanax, see this article.
Intriguingly, researchers did not find evidence to support a synergistic effect resulting from co-ingestion of alprazolam and alcohol. That said, the dosages of each substance may have been too for a synergistic effect to have been observed from co-administration. Further research is warranted before a synergistic effect between Xanax and alcohol can be dismissed. Standalone alprazolam also reduced blood pressure, but did not affect heart rate nor concentrations of plasma norepinephrine. Comparatively, the combination of alprazolam plus alcohol led to more significant impairment on a subset of tests, suggesting greater physiologic intoxication.
Benzodiazepine medication is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorder and occasionally alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines’ mechanism of action ultimately slows the activity of the central nervous system and produces a subjective calming effect. When alprazolam is taken as prescribed, it can be a safe and effective anxiolytic. When it’s misused or abused, dangerous detrimental side effects may occur and addiction may develop. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The manufacturer does not provide information on taking Xanax this way. If you have trouble swallowing Xanax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech.
Our addiction treatment advisors can go over different options with you. If you or a loved one is addicted to alprazolam and alcohol, there are many different recovery programs https://sober-house.net/new-life-house-path-recovery-and-new-life/ available to help people achieve and maintain sobriety. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
But together, the effects of each drug build upon one another. Additionally, that alcohol.org treatment directory can connect you with thousands of rehabs across the country. This powerful online tool allows you to search by zip code, helping you find local or out-of-state rehabs that suit your needs. You may also consider calling the American Addiction Centers (AAC) addiction helpline.
When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. Whether an inpatient or outpatient rehab, patients may attend individual and group therapy sessions. Nearly 17.7 million patients aged 12 or older used Xanax in 2018. Of this group, 5.1 million people misused Xanax in the same year.