It’s different taking Valium after alcohol because alcohol is out of the system at a relatively fast rate. Generally, it takes your body about 1 hour to process 1 standard alcoholic drink. For someone with a slower metabolism, alcohol might be in their system longer.
- In some cases, though notably less common, Valium may be used in combination with other medications to treat seizures.
- “About 570,000 people die annually in the U.S. due to drug use,” (NIDA for Teens).
- But normal may be a term used for feeling relaxed, getting enough sleep, and so on.
- Higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effects as the body becomes accustomed to these substances.
- It’s also worth noting that, for those using Valium as a treatment for alcohol addiction, the drug may cause reactions with other medications used for this purpose.
One of the primary dangers is respiratory depression, where breathing becomes dangerously slow or shallow. The interaction between benzos and alcohol increases the risk of stopping breathing, known as respiratory depression, and other life-threatening conditions such as overdose. Understanding the dangers of mixing Valium and alcohol is important for anyone prescribed this medication and who may consume alcohol. Several other drugs can be dangerous for the same reason that Valium is when mixed with alcohol. Other central nervous system depressants can cause the same potentiation with alcohol that Valium can. This includes other benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sleep aids like Ambien and Lunesta.
Mixing Valium (diazepam) and alcohol is definitely not safe and poses significant dangers due to their combined effects on the central nervous system. Both substances act as depressants, slowing down the activity of the brain and spinal cord. When combined, they can strengthen each other’s sedative properties, leading to profound drowsiness, impaired motor skills, and compromised cognitive function. This heightened sedation can result in dangerous consequences, such as an increased risk of accidents and injuries, as well as a higher likelihood of falls. Statistics suggest that a significant proportion of individuals who misuse alcohol also misuse benzodiazepines like Valium. This polysubstance use can lead to synergistic effects, meaning the combined impact of Valium and alcohol is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
As well as this, we will explain how to recognise the signs of an overdose, and whether mixing alcohol with Valium carries similar dangers. If you are considering diazepam or have concerns about combining it with alcohol, it’s essential to understand these risks fully and to seek medical advice. When people mix these substances, the effects can be potentially deadly, especially because Valium has sedative effects heightened by alcohol. Some side effects of mixing Valium and alcohol include respiratory depression, vertigo, confusion, and consciousness loss. Even despite these risks, it’s estimated that about 1 in 5 people who abuse alcohol also abuse benzodiazepines.
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- Valium, like diazepam, is a benzodiazepine medication, meaning it has similar sedative effects on the central nervous system.
- This action results in sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.
- Meaning, you’ll want to seek out a program that focuses detox from two substances simultaneously.
- Valium increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid and neurotransmitter that acts as a depressant in your central nervous system.
Valium and alcohol are a dangerous combination, and use of both drugs simultaneously could be the sign of a substance abuse disorder. If you or someone you know is habitually using Valium with alcohol or other substances, the best treatment option is one that addresses all substance abuse issues holistically. Meaning, you’ll want to seek out a program that focuses detox from two substances simultaneously. Long-term, heavy use can lead to a more extended withdrawal period and adding alcohol withdrawal to the mix can further complicate the process and makes mixing valium with alcohol it more dangerous as well. Additionally, any time someone drinks alcohol, their system metabolizes the alcohol first, before moving on to other substances in their system.
For that reason, it’s essential to make sure that Valium is taken as directed, under the supervision of a doctor, ideally in an in-patient, alcohol detox environment. Still, Valium is often used in an outpatient setting to help patients manage their alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When you mix diazepam with alcohol, the effects of both substances can intensify, often with serious consequences. Both substances are central nervous system depressants, meaning they work to slow down brain activity according to Talk to Frank.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is involved in over a quarter of all ER visits for benzodiazepine abuse. More troublingly, the CDC found that alcohol played a role in about 20% of deaths attributed to benzodiazepines. Because both drugs suppress breathing, combining alcohol and Valium can trigger a fatal overdose. What’s more, the amount of Valium that can lead to an overdose dramatically decreases when alcohol enters the picture, again, increasing the risk of overdose.
Both substances individually can cause drowsiness, slowed reflexes, and decreased coordination. When taken together, they may synergistically depress the CNS to a greater extent, increasing the risk of severe drowsiness, respiratory depression, and even coma or death. Higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effects as the body becomes accustomed to these substances. This escalation can lead to a higher risk of overdose and more severe withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit. However, when used recreationally or without medical supervision, the drug’s potential for misuse and addiction increases significantly. Long-term use of Valium can lead to tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects, further increasing the risk of dependence and adverse health conditions.
Dangers of Combining Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
When Valium and alcohol are consumed together, they may lead to an increased risk of liver enzyme elevation, a sign of liver stress or damage. Elevated liver enzymes are often discovered through liver function tests, which are part of routine medical examinations. These tests assess the health of the liver and can indicate the need for further investigation into potential liver disease.
Valium and Alcohol: Dangers, Withdrawal, and Side Effects
Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to more severe conditions, such as malnutrition, liver disease, pancreatitis, and cancer. The brain, liver, heart, pancreas, stomach, and kidneys are all susceptible to damage caused by alcohol abuse. However, specific effects vary based on several factors like age, gender, health condition, use of medications, and duration of abuse. Valium is a benzodiazepine often used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and muscle spasms, as well as a sedative given before specific medical procedures (again for anxiety). Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act as tranquilizers and are among the most frequently prescribed substances in the United States. These types of drugs are formulated to have a direct impact on the central nervous system (CNS), reducing anxiety levels and promoting muscle relaxation.
Together, Valium and alcohol can lead to serious health problems and even death. Individuals abusing both drugs may require long-term, in-patient treatment programs to help them safely recover from their addiction and minimize withdrawal symptoms. Valium, generically known as diazepam, is a medication primarily used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and seizures. As a member of the benzodiazepine class of drugs, Valium functions by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. This action results in sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.
Is Alcoholism a Disease or Choice?
When you take a Valium prescription, you may be warned by your doctor or pharmacist to avoid alcohol consumption. Actually, it’s dangerous to mix Valium and alcohol because they have similar effects. When you take two or more drugs that have similar effects on your brain and body, it can do something called potentiation. Potentiation is when drugs combine to cause more intense effects than they normally would because they are both working on your brain in similar ways.
If you are prescribed Valium, it’s essential to discuss any concerns or questions about alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history, current health status, and the specific reasons for your Valium prescription. If you do consume alcohol while taking Valium, it’s important to be aware of the potential for increased sedation, impaired coordination, and other adverse effects. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse disorders, please contact us today. Valium, also known as diazepam, is a prescription sedative used for pre-procedural sedation. Valium comes from the benzodiazepine family, and it’s also used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, and other conditions.
Both substances can suppress breathing, and when taken together, the risk of respiratory depression becomes more pronounced. In extreme cases, this respiratory depression can lead to respiratory failure, a life-threatening condition where the body fails to get enough oxygen. Yes, the same dangers and risks generally apply to mixing alcohol with Valium. Valium, like diazepam, is a benzodiazepine medication, meaning it has similar sedative effects on the central nervous system.