Any type of substance abuse or drug or alcohol addiction is going to be harmful to your health. As much as people think they are managing their use of drugs and alcohol, the damage they are doing to various parts of their life is still occurring. When an individual has a drug addiction, sooner or later they can get bored and look for a new high. One way people do this is by mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol. Mixing benzodiazepines, often referred to as benzos, with any other substance can be very dangerous due to the individual not knowing how their body will react to the substances when taken together. Drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers like Serenity Oaks can help you and your loved ones figure out what can be a complicated situation.
If you or someone you love is battling substance use disorders, including mixing benzos and alcohol, give us a call today. We have the treatment options that can help you make a positive change in your life.
Side Effects of Taking Benzos
When someone struggles with substance use disorders there can often be immediate and long-term side effects. Even without mixing benzos and alcohol, there are dangers involved in abusing benzos, including benzodiazepines. Here are some of the more common short-term effects of using benzos:
- Drowsiness
- Light-headedness
- Confusion
- Unsteadiness
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Muscle weakness
- Memory problems
Mixing alcohol and benzos can be dangerous over the long-term because benzodiazepines by themselves often cause some of the same types of side effects as alcohol abuse alone. Here are some of the long-term side effects of abusing benzodiazepines:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mania
- Psychosis
- Sleep disorders
- Sexual dysfunction
- Delirium
- Neurocognitive disorders
Alcohol is an easy substance abuse pairing with any other legally or illegally procured drug, as it is easy to acquire and socially acceptable. Mixing alcohol and benzos enhances the effects a person is feeling which makes it a sought after activity. The side effects can be very serious over both the short and long-term.
Dangerous Alcohol and Drug Combinations
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) considers mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol three of the top most dangerous drug abuse combinations. In addition to the dangers of mixing alcohol and benzodiazepines, alcohol and opiates and alcohol and stimulants join the list. The dangers of mixing any two substances can vary greatly based on the amounts and what exact substance a person is taking while drinking alcohol.
Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Benzos
Benzodiazepines are the most common drug that people add to the mix while drinking alcohol. Alcohol and benzodiazepines overdose can occur due to the way both of the substances affect the central nervous system. Mixing alcohol and benzos can also cause a person to go into a coma, or endanger themselves physically by severely affecting their coordination. There is no silver lining when it comes to substance use disorders and combining the effects of drinking alcohol with other powerful drugs can cause many problems most people would like to avoid.
Serenity Oaks Alcohol and Drug Rehab
Drinking alcohol while taking any other substance can create very dangerous circumstances for the individual and those around them, too. At Serenity Oaks Alcohol and Drug Rehab, we have addiction treatment programs for people struggling with substance abuse. We offer assistance with withdrawal symptoms, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and other specialized treatment options. If you are looking for recovery resources for you or one of your loved ones, call us today. We are dedicated to helping people begin their addiction recovery and begin sober living in a new stage of their life. Get in touch with us today at (833) 720-0708.
