Stress and anxiety are a normal part of life. For most people, the pressures flow and then return to normal. In some cases, people with extreme anxiety require medication help to process the pressures, using drugs such as Xanax. If this applies to you, be careful of one thing in particular: Mixing alcohol and Xanax. Mixing alcohol and Xanax can be deadly. Admission into an alcohol rehab center in Los Angeles, CA is the first step towards lasting alcohol addiction recovery.
What is Xanax?
Alcohol and Xanax have similar properties in that they both depress your central nervous system. Alarmingly, when used together, the effects of alcohol and Xanax are intensified. That’s why mixing alcohol and Xanax is such a dangerous idea.
Knowing exactly why it’s so dangerous can help keep you safe and help you process your anxiety in more productive ways. Xanax falls into a category of sedating medicines known as benzodiazepines. Other drugs in this category include Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin. These are controlled substances, available only via prescription. Benzodiazepines like Xanax are used to help people suffering from severe panic attacks or other anxiety disorders. Xanax is also used to treat seizures and has also withdrawal from alcohol, according to Harvard University. More common medications for anxiety include non-habit forming antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil.
Doctors prescribe Xanax with great care as they are known to cause problems with physical dependence and addiction. Due to challenges with physical dependence regarding Xanax, admission into a Xanax addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, CA is necessary to make a lasting recovery from Xanax addiction.
Mixing Alcohol and Xanax
Because of how they interact with each other, mixing alcohol and Xanax is not a good idea. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why, but the two compounds seem to feed off each other. The side effects become intensified, which can lead to many significant problems.
Because both Xanax and alcohol act on the central nervous system, they can lower respiration and other core body functions to dangerous levels. They can make you feel light-headed, dizzy or fatigued.
Further, researchers have received reports of Xanax causing aggression, while alcohol lower inhibitions. Together, this is a recipe for problems.
If you or someone you love is having problems with Xanax, consider reaching out for help at our Xanax addiction treatment center, or a similar facility in your community. They will assess your situation, build a treatment plan and provide detox and counseling as needed.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
An inpatient alcohol rehab center provides comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles, CA for the physical symptoms of alcohol addiction, as well as the underlying co-occurring mental health disorders that contribute to your alcohol addiction. Upon your admission into a drug and alcohol rehab center, the addiction treatment staff will conduct a mental health assessment to compile a personalized drug addiction treatment plan based on the unique co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to your alcohol addiction.
Regain Control of Your Life
Having difficulties with mixing alcohol and Xanax is challenging enough. Sometimes those with substance abuse issues face another obstacle: A concurrent mental illness. About half of the people with substance abuse issues also go on to suffer from anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses. Doctors call this a “dual diagnosis” disorder, and it requires a specialized integrated treatment regimen. If you think this describes you or a loved one, consider seeking help through dual diagnosis treatment. The problems of drug abuse and mental illness can be severe. Luckily you can make lasting alcohol addiction recovery at an alcohol rehab center in Los, Angeles, CA.
