Xanax and Alcohol: Is It Safe? By Michaela

If you have received a Xanax prescription, your first order of business is most likely to see if you can take it safely, given your lifestyle habits. If you are a frequent drinker and have an alcohol dependency, you might be stressed about combining Xanax and alcohol.

In this post, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about Xanax and alcohol. By the end, you’ll know whether they are safe to use together, how to consume them safely, and more general safety information about using Xanax.

You’ll also get some helpful information that you may need if you are someone that is dealing with an alcohol dependency. Let’s get started!

What is Xanax

Before we go any further, let’s talk about what we’re actually dealing with. The first step in all of this is understanding what Xanax is and what the purpose of the medication is.

Xanax is the brand name for a drug called alprazolam. It belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines, which are commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. While benzos do help with those things, they can be habit-forming and should always be taken according to your doctor’s orders.

Overview of Risks Associated With Xanax and Alcohol Use 

When combining Xanax & alcohol, it’s important that you take many precautions to keep yourself safe. It’s generally not recommended to mix Xanax and alcohol, and for that reason, you should only take Xanax when alcohol is out of your system.

This means that if you are going to consume Xanax and alcohol in your life at the same time, you will have to stagger the times that you take your medication.

Failing to do so can have some severe medical consequences. Next, we’ll dive into some of the short and long-term effects of taking Xanax and alcohol.

Short-Term Risks 

When you combine Xanax and alcohol, you are opening yourself up to a variety of short-term risks. These include things like withdrawal symptoms and other irritation side effects that come along with alcohol addiction.

Furthering Dependence on Prescription Drugs 

When mixing alcohol with Xanax, one problem that you run the risk of is perpetuating your dependence on prescription drugs. Xanax addiction is common and Xanax abuse often stems from mixing both alcohol and Xanax. This can happen even if you are taking the medication as prescribed.

If your body develops a tolerance to Xanax, it will require more of the drug in order to achieve the same results that you were once getting with smaller doses. This is called developing a physical dependence on medication and can be very dangerous, often leading to substance abuse. The best way to avoid this is to take your medication as prescribed and only use it when you need to.

Disorientation, Dizziness, and Poor Judgment 

Another short-term side effect that is evidence of the impact on your central nervous system when mixing Xanax with alcohol is dizziness. This is usually caused by the fact that your body is trying to process both drugs simultaneously, leading to confusion and disorientation.

This can lead to poor judgment and can be especially dangerous if you are driving or operating heavy machinery. It’s important to remember that Xanax and alcohol abuse should never be consumed together if you need to complete any task that requires focus and concentration.

Impaired Motor Function 

Impaired motor function is a common side effect for those combining alcohol and Xanax. This can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks like walking or talking, and if left untreated, it could lead to serious physical injury.

It’s important to be aware of this side effect so that you can recognize the signs early on and take appropriate action. This could prevent a safety issue stemming from impaired motor function.

Long-Term Risks 

The short-term effects of Xanax or alcohol addiction and mixing the two are severe, involving alcohol withdrawal or Xanax withdrawal symptoms, but there are also long-term symptoms of drinking alcohol with Xanax.

Development of Anxiety & Depression

One common long-term impact of misusing alcohol with Xanax is anxiety and depression. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but it is believed that when both substances are used together, the effects on one’s mental and emotional health can be particularly damaging.

Difficulty Concentrating and Remembering 

Long-term use of Xanax and alcohol can also lead to difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and confusion. This is because both substances act on the brain in similar ways, causing cognitive impairment.

Damage to Internal Organs 

Excessive consumption of alcohol, when combined with Xanax, can lead to significant damage to the liver and other internal organs. This is especially true in cases where a person has been consuming alcohol and taking Xanax regularly for an extended period of time.

Increase in Overdose Risk 

Finally, it’s important to note that combining Xanax and alcohol can significantly increase one’s risk of overdose. This is because both substances act on the central nervous system in similar ways, causing a person to become sedated more quickly than if they were just consuming one or the other.

Struggling With Alcohol & Xanax?

If you are struggling with your consumption of alcohol & Xanax at the same time, then it’s possible that your issues stem from alcohol dependence. If you cannot take your medication safely, that’s a great indicator that your relationship with alcohol is an unhealthy one.

When you are ready to address this problem, you should take some time to learn more about the plans that The Alcohol Coach has to offer for women struggling with alcohol dependency.

With a focus on positivity and self-empowerment and a conscious effort placed on avoiding labels and shame, many women have found success in The Alcohol Coach’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to conquering alcohol dependency.

Let’s Recap

Mixing Xanax and alcohol is a dangerous combination that can bring on serious side effects. In the short-term, there can be serious disorientation, dizziness, and poor judgment. In the long-term, this combination of substances can lead to anxiety and depression, difficulty concentrating and remembering, organ damage, and an increase in overdose risk.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with alcohol dependence, then please don’t hesitate to reach out for help from The Alcohol Coach. With their personalized approach and focus on self-empowerment, they can help you find the strength and courage needed to beat alcohol dependency once and for all.