Mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol is extremely dangerous. Both substances slow down the brain and body. When combined, they can cause life-threatening health problems like slowed breathing, unconsciousness, and even death.
Despite these risks, people sometimes mix them intentionally. Others may not realize how dangerous this combination is. Benzodiazepines are also used in medical settings to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but only under supervision.
This article explores the dangers of mixing benzos and alcohol, how these substances interact, and how benzodiazepines are used safely in alcohol withdrawal treatment programs.
Questions answered in this article:
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What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are medications that act on the central nervous system. They help reduce anxiety, control seizures, and treat insomnia. Common benzodiazepines include:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
These drugs produce similar effects: sedation, muscle relaxation, and a calming effect on the brain. Doctors prescribe them for short-term use due to the risk of dependence.
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity. This leads to feelings of calmness, but also causes drowsiness and slowed reflexes.
Benzodiazepines for Alcohol Withdrawal
Benzos have an important, medically supervised role in treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When someone stops drinking after heavy or prolonged use, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be painful and dangerous if not managed properly.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
Benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal are a proven treatment method. They help reduce symptoms, prevent seizures, and make detox more manageable. Lorazepam (Ativan) and Diazepam (Valium) are commonly used because they are effective in calming the brain during withdrawal.
However, this treatment must be closely monitored. Patients in medical detox programs receive carefully controlled doses. The goal is to prevent complications and reduce the risk of substance use disorder.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Benzos?
Both alcohol and benzodiazepines act on the brain by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows down brain activity. This shared mechanism means that combining alcohol and benzos produces compounded effects that are much stronger than taking either substance alone.
When mixing benzos like alprazolam (Xanax) or lorazepam (Ativan) with alcohol, the body experiences:
- Extreme drowsiness and sedation
- Impaired motor coordination and slurred speech
- Memory problems and blackouts
- Confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Slowed breathing, which can progress to respiratory depression
- Increased risk of overdose and coma
The central nervous system becomes dangerously suppressed, making it difficult for the body to maintain vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.
The amount of time alcohol and benzodiazepines remain active in the body varies by the specific drug and dose, but their effects can overlap for hours, increasing the risk of adverse reactions even if alcohol is consumed hours after taking a benzo.
Dangers of Mixing Benzos with Alcohol
Mixing benzos and alcohol is particularly hazardous because their combined depressant effects can lead to life-threatening conditions. The primary dangers include:
- Respiratory depression: Both substances slow breathing. When combined, slowed breathing can become dangerously shallow or stop entirely, leading to brain damage or death.
- Increased overdose risk: The synergistic effect means even small amounts can cause overdose symptoms such as loss of consciousness, coma, or death.
- Impaired judgment and coordination: This raises the likelihood of accidents, falls, and risky behaviors like drunk driving or unsafe sexual activity.
- Memory blackouts: Mixing can cause amnesia for events during intoxication, increasing vulnerability to harm.
- Addiction and substance use disorder: Long-term mixing can accelerate physical dependence on both alcohol and benzos, complicating treatment and recovery.
- Mental health disorders: Chronic use and mixing exacerbate anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
- Long-term health problems: These include cognitive decline, increased risk of dementia, liver damage, and other organ issues.
Even people who believe they have developed tolerance to one substance can be overwhelmed by the combined effects, as the threshold for intoxication is lowered when mixing.
How To Tell When Someone is Experiencing an Overdose
If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose from combining alcohol and benzodiazepines, it is critical to recognize the warning signs immediately and seek emergency help. Common symptoms include:
- Severe drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Slurred speech and impaired coordination
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Slowed or labored breathing
- Weak or irregular pulse
- Pale or bluish skin, lips, or fingertips
- Coma
These symptoms occur because both alcohol and benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system, amplifying each other’s effects and potentially causing life-threatening respiratory failure and brain damage.
In case someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 or emergency services immediately. Stay with the person and try to keep them awake and breathing if possible. Place the person on their side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.
Why Do People Combine Benzos and Alcohol?
People mix these substances for various reasons. Some want to increase the effects of one or both drugs. Others may not understand how dangerous the combination is.
Mixing substances also often goes hand in hand with mental health disorders. Anxiety, PTSD, and depression are common in people who misuse drugs and alcohol. In other cases, someone with a substance use disorder might use any available drug or drink. This behavior increases the risk of overdose and long-term addiction.
Unfortunately, using alcohol and benzos together only worsens mental health symptoms over time. Both substances may offer short-term relief, but in the long term, they contribute to depression, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts.
Treatment Programs for Polydrug Abuse
Overcoming a pattern of combining alcohol and benzos requires professional help. Trying to quit on your own can be dangerous due to severe alcohol withdrawal and benzo withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment programs offer:
- Medical detox: Supervised withdrawal with medications like lorazepam (Ativan) to manage symptoms
- Inpatient rehab: Structured environment with 24/7 care
- Outpatient therapy: Continued support for long-term recovery
- Dual diagnosis treatment: Addresses both mental health disorders and addiction
- Aftercare: Relapse prevention plans, support groups, and therapy
Programs are tailored to individual needs. Medical teams monitor vitals, manage medications, and address underlying causes of addiction.
Importance of Medical Supervision
Abrupt cessation of drinking alcohol and taking benzodiazepines can be life-threatening. Unsupervised detox may cause health issues like seizures, heart problems, and severe muscle spasms. That’s why medically assisted withdrawal is the safest option.
During detox, doctors use medications like alprazolam (Xanax) or lorazepam (Ativan) in controlled doses. These reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms and protect against complications.
Recovery and Long-Term Care
Recovery from substance use disorder involving alcohol and benzos takes time. It also requires lifestyle changes and continued care. People in recovery benefit from:
- Individual therapy
- Support groups like AA or SMART Recovery
- Medication management
- Holistic care (yoga, meditation, exercise)
- Rebuilding relationships and support systems
Avoiding relapse includes understanding triggers, managing stress, and never mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol again, even once.
If you or a loved one is misusing alcohol and benzos, seek help immediately. Many treatment programs offer safe detox, therapy, and support for long-term healing.
Don’t wait for a crisis. Recovery is possible, and help is available.
