For many people, anxiety and panic are feelings that they have to wrestle with each day. But managing your panic or anxiety can sometimes feel overwhelming. Anxiety and panic feed off each other, and left unchecked, they can leave you paralyzed. Xanax is a prescription drug that can help anyone suffering from anxiety find relief.
While Xanax isn’t considered to be as dangerous as painkillers or stimulates, the risk of abuse is still high. And the dangers of this drug only grow when it’s combined with alcohol. Even if you don’t take these substances at the same time, Xanax stays in your system for hours after it’s taken.
If you’re feeling the pressure of anxiety bearing down on you, you may think that the relief you might find by combing Xanax and alcohol is worth the risk. It’s understandable to want to do anything to escape intense anxiety, but mixing Xanax and alcohol is not worth the danger or risk.
What Happens When You Combine Xanax and Alcohol?
It’s necessary to understand that Xanax and alcohol are both sedatives. Sedative drugs cause the receptors in your brain to slow down when they communicate with each other. That’s why Xanax is effective at treating anxiety. Forcing those receptors to slow down can help people stop any racing thoughts that are fueling their anxiety.
Combing Xanax and alcohol makes the sedative effects of both substances more powerful. Think of it like adding cream and sugar to a cup of coffee. Both of them make coffee sweeter on their own, but when they’re combined, that sweet taste is amplified.
Understanding Xanax’s Half-life
Xanax is known to be a fast-acting drug. As a result, many people drink after taking it thinking that it’s already out of their system. But unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Every drug has a half-life, which is the measured amount of time a drug stays in your system after taking it.
According to the FDA, Xanax has an average half-life of about 11 hours. Drinking while Xanax is still in your system can immediately cause issues, such as:
• Getting drunk faster than you anticipated
• Severe loss of balance and coordination
• Slowed heartrate and breathing
Why Combining Xanax and Alcohol is Dangerous
As we mentioned above, Xanax and alcohol are both depressants and can amplify each other’s effects on the body. Together, these drugs can slow down your breathing and heartrate to the point where you experience respiratory failure as a result of an overdose. But what makes Xanax and alcohol even more dangerous is how these substances make an overdose more likely.
These Drugs Have a Dangerous Impact on Your Memory
When most people drink, there’s a point where they stop themselves. For example, you know you had three beers in the last hour, so you tell yourself to slow down. But when Xanax and alcohol are combined, that safeguard inside your head is shutoff.
It’s common for you to be unsure if you took your Xanax or be confused about how many drinks you’ve had. If you don’t remember, you could end up drinking more, increasing the risk of an overdose.
Both Substances Stay in Your System Longer
Both alcohol and Xanax are broken down by enzymes in your liver. When you combine Xanax and alcohol, your liver has to work to process both. This means that it will take your body longer to detoxify itself. The longer those two substances are mixed in your body, the higher the risk for negative effects.
Both Substances are Highly Addictive
Xanax and alcohol are both highly addictive substances. While people combine these substances as a way to cope with their anxiety and panic, this decision can lead to addiction. If the individual tries to detox from these substances without expert care, their life may be at risk. Expert detox services, like the ones at Silver Maple Recovery, can help manage withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment.
You Deserve to Be Free from Addiction, and We’re Here to Help
At Silver Maple Recovery, we know that many Xanax and alcohol addictions start by people just trying to cope with their anxiety. You were trying to manage your symptoms, and before you knew it, your behavior grew out of control.
While it might be hard to see right now, we know that you have the potential to break free from addiction. Our addiction treatment center in Cleveland uses evidence-based practices to help you heal.
You can start your journey to recovery today. We have professional caregivers ready to take your call and hear your story. Contact us today and uncover your potential for lasting recovery.
