What Happens When You Drink While on Xanax?
Key Takeaways
- Xanax is a central nervous system depressant used to treat anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
- Mixing Xanax with alcohol can increase the risk of potentially fatal side effects.
- Combining the drug with alcohol also increases the risk of an overdose.
- An overdose caused by alcohol and Xanax requires immediate medical attention.
What are Xanax and Alcohol’s Interactions?
Xanax is the brand name for a benzodiazepine called alprazolam. It’s typically used to treat anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
Similar to alcohol, Xanax depresses the central nervous system (CNS). They both have individual sets of side effects that affect a person’s behavior and mental state.
Mixing Xanax and alcohol can increase the risk of severe side effects. In extreme cases, the combination can lead to a fatal alcohol and Xanax overdose.
Combing these drugs can lead to symptoms, including:
- Dizziness
- Significant drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Reduced motor control
- Falls and other injuries
- Erratic behavior
- Memory loss or impairment
- Difficulty breathing
- Respiratory arrest
Can Mixing Alcohol and Xanax Cause Death?
When someone takes Xanax and alcohol together, the combination of both sedative drugs can lead the brain to fail to signal to the lungs to breathe. In severe cases, breathing stops altogether.
When used with alcohol, Xanax can also affect neural activity or cause one’s heart to stop beating. This risk of death occurs whenever someone takes Xanax in combination with alcohol, other sedatives, opioid prescription drugs, or illicit opiates.
As both alcohol and Xanax have unique sets of side effects that affect a person’s mental state and behavior, they should never be used together.
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Overdose Symptoms of Xanax and Alcohol
An alcohol overdose happens when parts of the brain controlling essential life-support functions become overwhelmed with the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. On the other hand, a Xanax overdose happens when it’s mixed with other substances like alcohol.
An overdose shuts down essential life-support functions like heart rate, breathing, and temperature control. If someone is overdosing from alcohol and Xanax use, they may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Significant confusion
- Severe coordination issues or loss of balance
- Significant drowsiness and an inability to stay awake
- Significantly slowed breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Seizures
- Respiratory depression
If you see someone experiencing symptoms of an alcohol and Xanax overdose, seek immediate medical help.
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Alcohol & Xanax Addiction Treatment Options
If you or someone you know is addicted to Xanax, alcohol, or both, it’s important to seek medical attention. Aside from the risk of an overdose, it can be difficult to overcome an addiction at home due to intense alcohol or Xanax withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for addiction varies depending on your individual needs, some examples include:
- Medical detox: Medically supervised detox used to avoid harmful withdrawal effects.
- Inpatient treatment: Takes place at treatment centers for rehabilitation clinics offering 24/7 care and counseling.
- Outpatient treatment: A similar treatment program to inpatient rehab without needing to stay at a treatment facility.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
- Counseling: Involves meeting a substance abuse therapist for one-on-one or group therapy sessions. Counseling can involve self-help groups or 12-step programs.
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- “Alprazolam (Xanax).” National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024.
- Griffin et al. “Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.” The Oschner Journal, 2013.
- “Xanax.” Food and Drug Administration, 2016.
- Schmitz A. “Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse: A review.” Ment Health Clin, 2016.
- “Results From the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2020.
- “Drugs of abuse: A DEA resource guide.” Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017.
- Aitken et al. “Acute administration of alprazolam, alcohol and their combination on cognitive performance and mood: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” J Psychopharmacol, 2023.
