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Dr. Alberto Sola is one of the world’s leading experts in medically-based ibogaine treatment; he has more clinical experience with safe and effective ibogaine administration than any other M.D. in the world today.
Xanax and alcohol are dangerous on their own. When mixing Xanax and alcohol, the consequences can be fatal. To better understand the consequences of mixing Xanax and alcohol, let’s take a look at both drugs, how they work, and their short- and long-term side effects.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a short-acting drug that promotes the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, as well as increases the concentration of dopamine in the central nervous system. By doing so, Xanax helps calm the brain and central nervous system.
Xanax is commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe anxiety. It is sometimes used to treat various sleep disorders, too. The drug is available in both immediate- and extended-release formats. Also, Xanax is usually consumed as a pill. But in some instances, Xanax is taken via injection or snorting the drug through the nose.
The dosage of Xanax varies based on the individual. A typical Xanax dosage consists of 0.25 to 0.5 mg of Xanax up to three times a day. However, the risk of Xanax dependence may increase based on the dose and duration of use.
Xanax Side Effects
Common short-term side effects of Xanax include:
- Confusion
- Euphoria
- Numbness
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Impaired coordination
- Memory loss
- Pain relief
Prolonged use of Xanax may result in one or more of the following long-term symptoms:
- Depression
- Psychotic experiences
- Impulsive and/or aggressive behavior
Xanax overdose is also possible. Common Xanax overdose symptoms include:
- Coma
- Fainting
- Extreme drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
If you or someone you know is dealing with a Xanax addiction, medical help is available. By working with expert medical personnel, an individual can treat his or her Xanax addiction and find the best ways to prevent a relapse.
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant that affects both the body and mind. Excess alcohol consumption has been linked to digestive and endocrine gland issues, inflammatory damage, and other long-lasting health problems. Additionally, long-term exposure to alcohol affects a person’s brain and central nervous system function.
The impact of alcohol varies based on a person’s weight, gender, age, and other factors. Generally, alcohol causes minor numbness in the body; this results in a reduced sense of touch and slower body responses. It also inhibits neurotransmitters in the brain and causes a person to feel sluggish. If a person drinks too much alcohol at once, the drug destroys brain cells used to manage memory and cognition as well.
Alcohol Side Effects
Alcohol may cause one or more of the following short-term side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Stomach pain
- Impaired judgement
- Slurred speech
- Headaches
Ongoing use of alcohol may result in one or more of the following long-term symptoms:
- High blood pressure
- Liver and/or nerve damage
- Brain damage
- Ulcers
- Mouth and/or throat cancer
Long-term alcohol use may also lead to an alcohol addiction, aka alcoholism, that puts an individual and his or her loved ones in danger.
Alcohol addiction can affect anyone. It results in changes to a person’s brain and neurochemistry and makes it extremely difficult for an individual to manage the frequency and amount of alcohol that he or she consumes.
Common symptoms of alcohol addiction include:
- Increased consumption of alcohol
- Increased frequency of alcohol consumption
- Little to no interest in activities that an individual previously enjoyed
- Dependence on alcohol to manage everyday life
- Limited contact with loved ones
Alcohol addiction typically worsens over time, and the longer an individual waits to treat his or her alcohol addiction, the tougher it becomes to permanently address this issue. Thankfully, medical professionals are available to help people detox from alcohol. These professionals can help individuals struggling with alcoholism identify the root cause of their alcohol addiction and treat their addiction accordingly.
Mixing Xanax and Alcohol: Here’s What You Need to Know
On its own, therapeutic doses of Xanax are safe for individuals as prescribed by a doctor. Conversely, mixing Xanax and alcohol may cause a variety of health problems.
If a person takes small doses of Xanax and alcohol together, his or her body quickly metabolizes the drugs. Comparatively, consuming high doses of both substances at the same time increases a person’s risk of immediate and long-term health issues.
Mixing Xanax and alcohol usually causes a person to experience side effects from both drugs. Yet the Xanax and alcohol side effects that an individual experiences may vary based on how much of each drug that he or she consumes.
For example, consuming a higher quantity of alcohol relative to Xanax may cause a person to feel lethargic and calm, as well as experience severe depression and irritability. On the other hand, if a person consumes a higher quantity of Xanax relative to alcohol, he or she may pass out or suffer a coma.
Also, if a person consumes an excess amount of alcohol in conjunction with Xanax, it may be difficult for this individual to eliminate Xanax from his or her body. This sometimes results in a build-up of Xanax in the body, increasing an individual’s risk of a Xanax overdose.
The neurological effects of mixing Xanax and alcohol can be significant, too. By consuming both Xanax and alcohol simultaneously, an individual may experience hallucinations, delusions, and seizures.
Of course, an individual could develop an addiction to Xanax, alcohol, or both substances by mixing the drugs as well. Consistently using Xanax and alcohol together may even prove to be fatal.
What Is Ibogaine Therapy for Xanax and Alcohol Addiction?
Clear Sky Recovery offers ibogaine therapy for individuals dealing with Xanax, alcohol, and other drug addictions. Our ibogaine treatment program is personalized for each patient and ensures an individual can get the help that he or she needs to overcome an addiction.
Our ibogaine therapy program helps individuals explore the reasons behind their addictive behaviors. It is backed by friendly, knowledgeable medical professionals who work directly with a patient throughout his or her addiction treatment. We also offer a state-of-the-art ibogaine therapy treatment facility where patients receive comprehensive care and attention at all times.
For those who are mixing Xanax and alcohol or struggling with other addictive behaviors, now is a great time to pursue ibogaine therapy. With the Clear Sky Recovery team at your side, you can take steps to overcome your addiction, and ultimately, enjoy a drug-free life. To learn more about our ibogaine therapy program for Xanax, alcohol, and other types of drug addiction, please contact us today at 305.901.5371.
Sources:
https://www.solutions-recovery.com/xanax-guide/
https://www.rxlist.com/benzodiazepines/drugs-condition.htm
https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/xanax
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9824/xanax-oral/details
https://www.rxlist.com/xanax-drug.htm#dosage
https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body#1
https://alcohol.addictionblog.org/how-does-alcohol-work/
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/xanax-treatment/mixing-with-alcohol