One of the dangers of having an addiction is the occasional loss of physical control or bouts of unreasonable thinking. If someone is not sound of mind, they might do things that could be dangerous, like mixing Xanax and alcohol or overdosing.
You don’t want to wait until addiction becomes life-threatening before you get help. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a Xanax addiction, polysubstance addiction, or another substance use disorder, you need a Xanax detox center. Contact Midwest Detox Center online or call 833.647.0392 to learn more about the programs and therapies we offer to our patients.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine that’s often prescribed to treat panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and insomnia. It’s one of the most prescribed psychiatric medications in the United States. However, Xanax is a very powerful drug and can be extremely addictive with long-term use.
Xanax tolerance quickly develops when consistent use, which means that someone with a Xanax addiction could take up to 20–30 pills daily. Should a person like this decide to stop taking Xanax, they will experience bouts of anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and tremors. If convulsions occur, Xanax withdrawal can even be life-threatening.
Due to the withdrawal symptoms associated with Xanax withdrawal, most experts don’t recommend quitting “cold turkey” or without medical supervision. Normally, the Xanax detox process involves slowly reducing the dosage and eventually switching to a longer-acting form of the drug. This gradual tapering is meant to reduce the physical effects of withdrawal.
Why Is Mixing Xanax and Alcohol Dangerous?
Benzodiazepines or benzos like Xanax can be addictive, despite being prescription drugs. However, the amount needed to trigger a fatal overdose on Xanax is very high. It’s much easier to accidentally overdose on Xanax when it’s combined with other substances, like alcohol.
When taken together, Xanax and alcohol can cause various side effects. Some of these can be fatal. Xanax and alcohol increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-A) receptors, which are inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. GABA-A is responsible for slowing the activity of the nervous system, and taking benzos or alcohol can cause a sedative effect. By mixing these two depressants, oversedation occurs. This is a serious condition that may result in death.
Alcohol intensifies the symptoms of benzos and vice versa. Combined, alcohol and Xanax become more potent than if either of them were used by themselves. Each substance can also mask the effects of the other, leading to larger doses. Apart from oversedation, this combination can lead to cardiac problems, respiratory depression, and loss of consciousness.
What Is a Polysubstance Addiction?
Polysubstance abuse happens when someone develops a habit of using multiple substances and then becomes dependent on them. In other words, polysubstance addiction happens when there are two primary substances of abuse.
An addiction like this is not safe because the combination of two substances can result in many unexpected side effects like seizures, heart attacks, organ failure, psychosis, and other severe health complications. Some combinations, like Xanax and alcohol, can even lead to a fatal overdose. Detoxing, treating withdrawal symptoms, or handle other issues becomes more complicated because medical professionals need to keep in mind that two substances are affecting the body.
In long-term polysubstance addiction, people can develop depression and anxiety. They may also experience compounding trauma because of the risky behaviors and inappropriate situations that result from living with the addiction.
Polysubstance Abuse Treatment in Ohio
Clearly, alcohol and Xanax don’t mix. If you suffer these dual addictions, effective treatment is available.
There are a number of treatment options available for people struggling with polysubstance abuse. Inpatient treatment, for example, can provide around-the-clock care and support in a safe and structured environment. This can be especially helpful if you have a severe addiction or if you’re struggling with other mental health disorders as well.
Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, may be a better fit if you have a less severe addiction or you can’t take time away from your responsibilities. In this type of treatment, you’ll typically meet with a therapist or counselor a few times each week.
No matter what type of treatment you choose, though, it’s important to make sure that it address both your alcohol addiction and your Xanax addiction. Otherwise, you’re not likely to achieve lasting sobriety.
If you or someone you love is struggling with polysubstance abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are a number of treatment options available, so you can find the one that’s right for you. With treatment, you can overcome your addiction and start living a sober, healthy life.
Learn More About Midwest Detox Center’s Substance Addiction Treatment Programs
If you or someone you care about is struggling with a Xanax addiction or a polysubstance addiction, contact Midwest Detox Center online or call 833.647.0392 to find out more about the dangers of mixing Xanax and alcohol and how our programs and services can help you.
