Benzodiazepines were prescribed for decades, and then became a commonly abused class of drugs. Mixing benzos and alcohol has serious risks for anyone that mixes these two drugs. Promises Behavioral Health understands the correlation between alcohol and benzos abuse, and the associated risks, and helps clients enter into recovery to get their life back on track. To learn about our benzo or alcohol addiction treatment program, contact Promises Behavioral Health at 844.875.5609 today.
What are Benzos?
Benzodiazepines, or ‘benzos,’ are central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe them for a number of reasons, including insomnia, anxiety, panic disorders, or alcohol withdrawal. There are more than a dozen medications approved in the U.S. that are classified as benzodiazepines. Some of the more well-known benzodiazepines, which are typically some of the most often abused benzos include:
- Xanax
- Valium
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Restoril
People that abuse benzos may get them by getting prescriptions from several doctors, or in the streets. When a person abuses benzodiazepines, they sometimes mix them with alcohol to produce a euphoric effect or better ‘high.’ The addiction treatment staff at Promises Behavioral Health recognizes that people sometimes start abusing benzos and become addicted to them. Individualized treatment programs help people learn to live without addictive substances.
What is the Big Deal About Benzos and Alcohol?
It is interesting to note that although sometimes prescribed for symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal, some people that abuse or have an addiction to alcohol also develop an addiction to benzos. A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published in October 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that in addition to opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol were responsible for a ‘significant increase’ in the number of emergency department visits and deaths over the previous decade.
When you mix benzos and alcohol, this further depresses the central nervous system beyond the impact that each substance does so when used alone. The CDC report indicates that mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol accounted for 27.2 percent of emergency department visits, and 21.4 percent of benzo-related deaths.
Similarly, the CDC released the 2016 National Vital Statistics Report, which indicates that alprazolam and diazepam were two of the ten drugs that people commonly abused the U.S. When considering the death rate associated with these two benzodiazepines, more than 95 percent of deaths involved other drugs.
Side Effects of Mixing Benzos and Alcohol
The side effects of mixing benzos and alcohol include:
- Dizziness
- Increased irritability or agitation
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
Other possible consequences of mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol, according to Medscape, includes respiratory distress and unresponsiveness. Promises Behavioral Health offers comprehensive addiction therapy programs to help you heal and enjoy life again without benzos, alcohol, or other drugs. We tailor each person’s treatment program to address their unique needs. As a result, they are far more likely to use the tools they gain to stay in recovery for a longer period of time. Your treatment program may include an array of evidence-based and holistic therapies, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Art therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
What Can I Do About My Benzos and Alcohol Addiction?
The caring, professional team at Promises Behavioral Health understands your struggles with an addiction to benzos and alcohol. No one sets out to experience the consequences associated with addiction to benzodiazepines, alcohol, opioids, or any other drug for which you may need addiction treatment or mental health treatment services.
Our medical detox centers can help you start on your path to a new lifestyle. It is time to learn to live without benzos and alcohol controlling your life. Contact us at 844.875.5609, and start your recovery today.