Xanax and Alcohol Abuse

Because both drugs are central nervous system depressants, you will quickly find that mixing alcohol and Xanax is risky. Especially if you are taking more Xanax than is prescribed or drinking more than a single beverage, you could see serious and even fatal overdoses.

When you take Xanax with alcohol, you increase the effects of Xanax. This can lead to serious side effects like respiratory depression, decreased heart rate, and lower neural activity. Alcohol abuse will only compound these symptoms and lead to drug overdose deaths.

It’s common among people who abuse benzodiazepines and alcohol together, such as with Klonopin and alcohol intake, that their breathing will stop, and they will slip into a coma.

Death is also possible when you’re taking both at higher quantities.

At first, mixing Xanax and alcohol might feel great because it relaxes you and decreases ever-present anxiety. But the risks of taking them together are simply too much to bear.

At a certain point, you may find that mixing alcohol and Xanax simply is not worth the risk it poses to your health and longevity. Your healthcare provider may refer you to an addiction treatment center to detox from both substances and receive help for your substance abuse.

Unfortunately, both Xanax and alcohol can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal when you do finally decide to call it quits on your substance use disorder. Battling two substances is difficult to do on your own. Here’s what you can expect when you decide to kick the habit.

Abusing both alcohol and Xanax increases the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you do decide to put a stop to substance abuse. Both will take several days to clear your system and can result in physical discomfort. A detoxification program may be the best fit for you to find safety and relief.

Physical dependence leads to a physical manifestation of withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, tremors, digestive upset, heart palpitations, and sweating. More extreme symptoms like seizures are also a possibility, which is why a medical professional should be consulted.

However, the real issue for many people is the mental health symptoms they will experience. Xanax and alcohol mask anxiety. As both of them clear your system, you’re likely to experience increased anxiety. It may also seem like you’re more sensitive to lights, sounds, and other sensory input.

Unfortunately, your withdrawal symptoms are going to peak within the first few days of going without both drugs and alcohol. This is why enrolling in a detox center like Ingrained Recovery is essential from the moment you make the decision to get sober and stop abusing substances.

Xanax withdrawal will start about twelve hours after the last dose. Symptoms will peak during the first couple of days without another dose and will slowly taper off over the first week of sobriety.

Alcohol abuse is a bit slower to manifest, with withdrawal coming on about two to three days after your last drink. This can be shorter or longer depending on how much you usually drink and how frequently. Like Xanax, withdrawal usually lasts seven to ten days before the hardest part of detox is over.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you are out of the woods after the first week. Residential care is still a great option because it teaches you how to function without drugs and alcohol and keeps you in a safe space where you know you won’t turn back to your addiction.

Once you move out of the dangerous window of detoxification, you still aren’t done with your treatment. It takes a concerted effort and targeted treatments to stop mixing Xanax with alcohol. Attending a long-term treatment program like that offered at Ingrained Recovery is paramount to success.

Inpatient treatment is often the first step after detox to monitor physical health issues and decrease your risk of Xanax and alcohol misuse. You have already done the heavy lifting of getting sober, and staying that way requires assistance for most people.

Our luxurious treatment center offers everything you need to heal and maintain sobriety. You’ll have 24/7 access to doctors and counselors, individual counseling, group therapy, and access to holistic therapies like equine, art, music, and yoga therapy.

But the most important part of seeking help is that you can rest easily knowing you’re safe from a fatal overdose, respiratory failure, and all of the other risks that come with Xanax and alcohol use. We can even help you explore an alternative medication that has a lower propensity for addiction and abuse.

The good news is that you may not have to pay for your treatment out of pocket. Whether you’re seeking help for Xanax and alcohol use or broader issues like polysubstance abuse, insurance policies that meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act include substance use and mental health issues as a part of their essential health benefits. This means that they must be covered just like a medical issue.

Many policies will cover up to 100 percent of your treatment costs, making it an easy decision to enroll in a treatment center tailored to your needs. Even luxurious options like Ingrained Recovery might be covered under the umbrella of your plan. It never hurts to see what might be covered so you can get the help required.

Our admissions team can verify your insurance benefits in a quick and confidential call today. There is no obligation to enroll, but you’ll have the information you need to make an educated decision either way.