Common Drug Combinations
Despite warning labels and advice from doctors, Xanax is commonly combined with opioids, barbiturates, hypnotic drugs, heroin, methadone, and alcohol. Combining Xanax with any of these drugs can result in respiratory difficulties, fatigue, unconsciousness, and death.
Xanax has been known as a date rape drug because it can dramatically reduce a body’s natural ability to resist sexual aggression (1). Xanax is often dissolved into drinks that contain alcohol and can be hard to taste. Whether Xanax is combined with alcohol for date rape purposes or other uses the combination can result in severe damage to the body.
Both Xanax and alcohol are cleared from the body by the liver. Since they are both cleared by the liver both substances will stay in the body for longer and with higher effects as they amplify each other.
Effects of combining Xanax and alcohol include:
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Sleeplessness
- Excessive sedation
- Cardiac problems
Prolonged use of both Xanax and alcohol may increase symptoms of withdrawal to the point of seizures and delirium if both substances are not gradually reduced.