Mixing drugs and alcohol in any combination is always dangerous. Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines (benzos) is not only extremely dangerous, but it can also be potentially lethal.
Although many medications provide warnings against taking them together with alcohol, many people disregard the warnings and combine the drugs because they want to increase the effects. The Drug Abuse Handbook reports that the effects of benzodiazepines experienced by individuals with an alcohol addiction are greatly enhanced compared to the effects experienced by those without an alcohol use disorder. Other people combine the drugs because they have the misconception that taking a prescription medication with alcohol is safer than using illicit drugs and alcohol.
Benzodiazepines
According to a Drug Fact Sheet from the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), benzodiazepines are a type of prescribed sedative medication. They are used to treat many conditions, such as anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and seizures. The DEA classification of benzodiazepines is as Schedule IV controlled substances. Alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and temazepam (Restoril) are common benzodiazepines.
When a person takes benzodiazepines, they typically experience extreme drowsiness, headache, weakness, dizziness, and unsteadiness. Their speech may be slurred and their muscle movements slowed. Depression, aggression, and irritability are common.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug. A central nervous system depressant, alcohol slows down neural activity and brain functioning. It also reduces vital body functions such as respiration and heart rate. When a person drinks an excessive amount of alcohol, their reaction time becomes delayed. Their judgment and perceptions become distorted. Depression, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait are common. Inhibitions lessen, increasing the chance of risk-taking.
Excessive drinking affects all of the body’s organs. It can have a severe effect on a person’s health.
What Happens When Benzodiazepines and Alcohol are Taken Together?
Since alcohol is a psychoactive drug, it can trigger changes in a person’s body and mind. When a benzodiazepine is taken with the alcohol, they interact. Both substances are depressants. Both drugs act on a chemical neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This naturally occurring amino acid decreases activity to the central nervous system by blocking specific brain signals, making the person feel calmer. However, when taken together, alcohol and benzodiazepines suppress the central nervous system. They slow down bodily functions to levels that are very dangerous, often resulting in oversedation. The person’s breathing slows down and becomes shallow. They may lose their ability to concentrate and become unconscious. The effects of the drugs can be fatal if their respiratory depression causes cardiac arrest.
The Dangers of Mixing Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
Decrease in Cognitive Abilities
When an individual abuses alcohol and benzodiazepines together, they experience a decrease in their cognitive abilities and inhibitions. They are putting themselves in danger of bodily injury, risky behavior, permanent brain damage, or death. Combining the drugs greatly increases the chance of experiencing memory impairment and blackout periods. During blackout periods, it is not unusual for a person to engage in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex, driving a vehicle under the influence, or not paying attention when crossing a busy street. They are not able to control their emotions and reasoning. Both their response time and motor coordination are severely decreased. Anger and aggression are common. These behaviors can cause harm to themselves or others.
Increased Chance of Overdose
When two central nervous system depressants are combined, the person is at extreme risk of an overdose. The overdose could be from one or both of the drugs. An overdose from either alcohol, benzodiazepine, or both is very serious and can cause significant brain damage, organ damage, or death due to the lack of oxygen from suppressed respiration. When a person drinks alcohol and takes benzodiazepines, the amount of either drug needed to overdose is greatly reduced.
Additional Dangers
- Increased risk of long-term physical conditions such as cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver issues
- Increased risk of mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, stress or trauma-related disorders, anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders
- Increased risk of personal, relationship, financial, legal, employment, or school issues
- Increased possibility of negative side effects such as lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions
- Increased potential of acute conditions such as stroke, heart attack, psychosis, seizures, or suicidal ideation
If You Need Help
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, help is available. At English Mountain Recovery, located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, our team of professionals can help you achieve your goal of living a sober life. Give us a call today.
