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HomeAddictionPrescription DrugsBenzodiazepine And Alcohol
Benzodiazepine And Alcohol

9 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team
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As central nervous system depressants benzodiazepines and alcohol function by reducing brain activity resulting in sedation effects, medical professionals in the UK prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety and insomnia as well as seizures but people commonly drink alcohol to relax socially.

The data from a Scottish survey shows that alcohol plays a role in 11% of deaths linked to benzodiazepines thus demonstrating a serious hazard. The same survey revealed that opiates or opioids were involved in 94% of deaths caused by benzodiazepines [1]. In the US, the data on this correlation is even more staggering as alcohol is implicated in 1 in 5 Benzo-related deaths [2].

Let’s learn more about how this combination can affect your health.

Benzodiazepines which people refer to as “benzos” represent a group of prescription medications used to manage anxiety symptoms as well as treat insomnia seizures and muscle spasms. These medications produce their calming effect by boosting the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which reduces brain activity.

In the UK benzodiazepines receive short-term prescriptions because they carry a risk of dependence and withdrawal effects [3]. 

Some of the most well-known benzodiazepines include:

  • Diazepam (Valium) – Used for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
  • Lorazepam (Ativan) – Treats both severe anxiety conditions and panic attacks.
  • Though Alprazolam (Xanax) – Treatment for anxiety; its prescription rates remain low in the UK.
  • Clonazepam (Klonopin) – Used for seizure disorders and panic attacks.
  • Temazepam – Prescribed for short-term relief of insomnia.

Benzodiazepines act as safe treatments for specific health issues yet become very risky when not used properly, particularly when alcohol is consumed simultaneously.

The central nervous system receives depressant effects from alcohol which reduces both brain activity and body functions. It affects various neurotransmitters, particularly GABA and glutamate [3], leading to effects such as:

  • The consumption of modest amounts of alcohol generates both relaxation and euphoria as systemic effects.
  • As people consume more alcohol their body motor function and decision-making capabilities start to deteriorate.
  • When people consume large amounts of alcohol, they enter a state of deep sleepiness that can make them lose consciousness in serious situations.

Long-term health problems develop from chronic alcohol use because it damages the liver and memory functions while raising mental health disorder risks. The combination of alcohol with depressants such as benzodiazepines produces dramatically stronger effects which create serious health risks.

Safe Use Of Benzodiazepines: What To Avoid

Healthcare providers prescribe benzodiazepines for only short-term treatment because patients can develop a dependence on these drugs. To ensure safety while taking them, doctors provide strict guidelines, which include:

  • Medical experts recommend total abstinence from alcohol because even minimal consumption can produce dangerous side effects.
  • Patients who exceed their doctor-prescribed dosage of medication create serious health risks such as heavy sedation, movement skill loss, and overdosing levels.
  • Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs including antihistamines and painkillers intensify the sedative effects of benzodiazepines.
  • Patients taking benzodiazepines should avoid driving because alcohol combined with these drugs drastically reduces coordination and reaction time.
  • Patients who stop benzodiazepine medication abruptly after extended periods of use face dangerous withdrawal symptoms that produce anxiety together with tremors and seizures.
  • When benzodiazepines are prescribed health professionals recommend using these drugs only as needed and taper off them step by step with medical support after discontinuation becomes necessary.

Why Even Small Amounts Of Alcohol Can Be Risky

While many believe one alcoholic beverage won’t affect them during benzodiazepine treatment this assumption is incorrect as moderate drinking presents potential dangers. The extent of these effects depends on factors such as:

1. Prescribed benzodiazepine duration affects patient responses because short-acting medications like lorazepam generate immediate drowsiness yet longer-acting forms such as diazepam remain active for hours consequently raising delay risk for drug effects [4].

2. Debilitating effects of depressants like alcohol affect highly sensitive individuals even when only consuming minor amounts.

3. Benzodiazepine and alcohol processing through the body depends on a person’s age as well as their weight and their liver’s functioning capability. People who process medicine at slower rates face a greater danger of extended sedation.

The combination of benzodiazepines with alcohol creates dangerous effects which make any level of alcohol consumption unsafe. Complete avoidance of alcohol remains the safest method to avoid dangerous interactions when taking benzodiazepines.

What Is Likely To Occur If Someone Consumes Alcohol While Also Taking Benzodiazepines?

The combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol results in immediate severe health dangers. Both compounds function as depressants which reduce nervous system activity. When taken together, their effects intensify, leading to:

  • Minimal amounts of these substances together can produce severe sleepiness and mental disorientation.
  • Users who take alcohol together with benzodiazepines endure poor balance and reflex alongside inadequate judgment ability which boosts accident probability [5].
  • People who mix these substances experience episodes of wakefulness combined with memory loss of the events that occurred.
  • Severe breathing problems cause slowed respiratory function that threatens life with oxygen deprivation resulting in unconsciousness and potential death.

Why Benzos And Alcohol Are A Dangerous Combination

Both benzodiazepines and alcohol boost GABA activity which results in decreased brain activity. The combined use of these substances creates extremely high sedation levels which raise the chance of experiencing an overdose. The combination of alcohol with any amount of a previously safe dose becomes life-threatening because this drug interaction remains unpredictable.

The duration benzodiazepines remain active varies between distinct drugs which leads to unpredictable lasting effects. The risk of dangerous sedation remains high when alcohol is consumed several hours after benzodiazepine administration.

Users face a significant danger when they unintentionally take too much due to these interactions. The speed at which alcohol combined with benzodiazepines impairs systemic functions goes unrecognized by many people. Excessively slowed breathing may cause someone to lose consciousness or fall into a coma [5].

The misuse of benzodiazepines continues to rise throughout the UK and becomes especially dangerous when used in conjunction with alcohol. Research indicates that many hospital admissions for drug intoxication result from patients using both alcohol and benzodiazepines. People must understand better the risks associated with this combination.

Immediate Health Risks Of Mixing Alcohol And Benzodiazepines

When alcohol mixes with benzodiazepines it creates immediate severe impairment effects. Even at low doses, people may experience:

  • Intense dizziness paired with confusion results in difficulty performing basic tasks such as walking and creates higher chances of falls and injuries.
  • Digestive distress due to processing both substances simultaneously can manifest as nausea and vomiting.
  • Blurred vision and slowed reflexes create extreme danger for driving activities.
  • The depressant effects sometimes become powerful enough to cause unexpected loss of consciousness [4].
  • When breathing becomes slowed or stopped because of respiratory depression immediate medical treatment becomes essential to prevent fatal outcomes.

The body absorbs alcohol rapidly into the bloodstream so effects show up within minutes after consumption, especially during large drinks or on an empty stomach.

Long-Term Consequences Of Benzos And Alcohol Use

The combined regular use of benzodiazepines and alcohol leads to permanent health problems which extend past immediate impairment effects. Some of the most serious long-term risks include:

  • People face great dependency risks from these substances because both possess strong addictive potential. The simultaneous use of these substances dramatically heightens the chance of developing both physical and psychological addictions.
  • Users who use drugs long-term will experience problems in focusing on routine tasks alongside memory loss and elevated dementia risk.
  • Both alcohol and benzodiazepines require liver processing because the liver breaks them down. Continuous excessive consumption leads to liver disease or complete liver failure.
  • The extended use of these substances triggers mental health problems which intensify anxiety and depression and create paranoia which complicates cessation efforts.
  • As people develop tolerance, they consume larger doses which raises their chance of experiencing a deadly overdose.

When someone uses benzodiazepines and alcohol over an extended period their body and mind develop a dependency on these substances for normal function. Some of the key signs of dependence include:

Physical Signs:

  • The body requires larger amounts of the substance to produce familiar effects.
  • Withdrawal symptoms occur with anxiety and tremors along with sweating, nausea and seizures during cessation attempts [3].
  • Drowsiness that happens often makes you feel persistently fatigued and unable to keep your eyes open.
  • People with this condition show slurred speech together with poor coordination making it hard to speak and walk normally.
  • People experience shallow and slow breathing patterns when they drink alcohol.

Psychological And Behavioural Signs:

  • Memory problems exist because people often cannot remember discussions they have participated in or remember recent events they experienced.
  • People experiencing mood swings face abrupt periods of depressive states alongside anxiety episodes or sudden irritability.
  • People experiencing substance misuse problems often keep their alcohol and medication habits secret from their loved ones.
  • People who use substances tend to skip their work responsibilities and educational classes as well as miss social engagements.
  • People who want to stop substance use but fail to achieve their goal.

Early problem recognition plays an essential role in successful recovery. Any individual dealing with benzodiazepine and alcohol problems should seek professional assistance as their next best action. Here are some signs that intervention may be necessary:

  • Frequent blackouts or loss of control over usage.
  • The body shows physical withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop taking these substances.
  • People who misuse benzodiazepines and alcohol demonstrate dangerous behaviours including intoxicated driving.
  • Substance abuse typically creates tension which damages personal connections.
  • Health conditions deteriorate while mental wellness gets worse.

Treatment options in the UK cover NHS addiction services and private rehabilitation centres together with local community programs. Detox programs combined with therapy and medication-assisted treatment together with ongoing support groups form the basis of treatment options [3].

When someone you care about needs help getting through their difficulties reaching out to a healthcare professional should be the initial action towards recovery.

1. Scottish Government. Benzodiazepine use – current trends: evidence review. https://www.gov.scot/publications/evidence-review-current-trends-benzodiazepine-use-scotland/pages/3/#page-top

2. University of California San Francisco. Problem Drinkers Have Higher ‘Benzo’ Use, UCSF-Kaiser Permanente Study Shows. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2019/12/416196/problem-drinkers-have-higher-benzo-use-ucsf-kaiser-permanente-study-shows

3. NHS Inform. Benzodiazepines (benzos, diazepam, valium). https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/drugs-and-drug-use/common-drugs/benzodiazepines-benzos-diazepam-valium/

4. Hirschtritt ME, Palzes VA, Kline-Simon AH, Kroenke K, Campbell CI, Sterling SA. Benzodiazepine and unhealthy alcohol use among adult outpatients. Am J Manag Care. 2019 Dec 1;25(12):e358-e365. PMID: 31860229; PMCID: PMC7217068. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7217068/

5. Linnoila MI. Benzodiazepines and alcohol. J Psychiatr Res. 1990;24 Suppl 2:121-7Doioi: 10.1016/0022-3956(90)90043-p. PMID: 1980691. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1980691/;

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