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Xanax And Alcohol – A Dangerous Cocktail You Should Avoid

July 18, 2025

Whiskey glass, medicine, cigarettes, Xanax and alcohol

Can I drink alcohol while taking Xanax (Alprazolam)? What happens when you mix alcohol and Xanax? Xanax and Alcohol – Understand why Alprazolam and Alcohol is a dangerous mix you should avoid.

Table of Contents

What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

Xanax is a popular brand name for the drug called ‘Alprazolam’ which belongs to the class of drugs called ‘Benzodiazepines’ that are commonly used as sleeping pills, for treating anxiety symptoms and for treating seizures. Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and those suffering from panic attacks. The latter are sudden attacks of extreme fear and anxiety leading to heart palpitations and other symptoms. Few persons also use alprazolam as a sedative or hypnotic for sleep. This category of medicine is amongst the most widely prescribed medicines.

What happens when you mix Alcohol and Xanax?

Mixing of Xanax and Alcohol can occur under following circumstances:
1. Casual alcohol drinking while on medication
2. Few alcoholics also abuse Benzodiazepines including Xanax
3. Chronic alcoholics often suffer from insomnia for which they might require Xanax.

Research has shown that Xanax (alprazolam), though considered a mild benzodiazepine, shows increased toxicity when combined with alcohol as compared to other drugs (1).

This is because of the following:

Both alcohol and Xanax can increase the levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain which causes synergistic effect on increasing CNS depression.
Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450 enzyme. The latter enzyme also helps in the breakdown of Xanax. This means that both alcohol and Xanax are competing for the same enzyme resulting in slow elimination of both from the body increasing their blood concentrations (2).
Further, it was shown experimentally that ethanol can increase the toxicity of Xanax most likely by inhibiting an enzyme (CYP3A4) responsible for metabolizing the drug. Therefore, Xanax concentration increases in brain, liver and kidneys leading to toxic levels. This is particularly true for central nervous system toxicity where Xanax with Alcohol can cause extreme dizziness leading to severe fall or accidents, mainly during driving.

If large amount of alcohol is consumed, it has significantly higher chance of toxicity leading to passing out or becoming unconscious as compared to smaller quantities of alcohol. In extreme situations, this unconsciousness may lead to coma effects.

Xanax and Alcohol Interactions – What are the side effects or toxic effects of Xanax Increased in presence of Alcohol?

Though there might be feeling of relaxation, reduced anxiety and overall euphoric effects when consuming them together, there could be following dangerous adverse or toxic effects: (1, 3, 4)

Sleepiness and Lightheadedness

Xanax and Alcohol combination can cause fatigue, dizziness, sleepiness and lightheadedness which can be dangerous. Falls and accidents can happen. One must avoid other brain depressants like alcohol with Xanax that can further make you sleepy.

Aggression and Irritability

There are anger outbursts more commonly seen when Alprazolam is combined with alcohol.

Impaired Thinking and Judgement

Due to increased CNS depression from both Xanax and Alcohol, there is confusion and reasoning becomes impaired.

Man having headache after Xanax and Alcohol, Whiskey bottle and glass

Cognitive Impairment

There are issues with learning and memory with all benzodiazepines including Xanax. Alprazolam diminish attention and impairs learning and memory processes. In addition, it interferes with motor coordination affecting daily functions. This aggravates in presence of alcohol.

Respiratory depression

Xanax and Alcohol interaction can result in dangerously slow and shallow breathing. Alcohol can increase the respiratory depressant effects of Xanax or Alprazolam. The effect can be even more pronounced if opioids are taken with Xanax and this can even be fatal.

Unconsciousness and Coma State

If chronically Xanax and Alcohol are consumed together, there is a possibility that it can be deadly leading to unconsciousness, passing out and coma.

Liver and Kidney Damage

Chronic mixing of Xanax and alcohol or their abuse can put more burden on liver and kidneys to metabolise and eliminate them.

Psychiatric Symptoms

If you mix Xanax and Alcohol, some psychiatric symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, or even seizures can occur on higher concentrations of both.

Dependence and Abuse

Both alcohol and Xanax increases dependence and abuse which can negatively affect your mental state and life. Chronic use can cause physical dependence and sudden withdrawal of Xanax can result in withdrawal symptoms.

Other Xanax Interactions

Grapefruit juice is inhibitor of the enzyme responsible for metabolism of Xanax, hence, not only alcohol but simultaneous consumption of grapefruit juice can also lead top Xanax toxicity. A report has shown that there are 563 possible interactions of Xanax with other drugs including alcohol (3).

News on Xanax and Alcohol Related Incidents

Several incidents have been reported in the past which proves the deadly combination of Xanax and Alcohol.

Few examples are:

The popular singer Whitney Houston’s death was linked to Xanax and alcohol abuse. She was found dead in a bathtub, and it was reported to be possibly related to Xanax and alcohol interaction and overdose (5).

A teenager from Canada, Issac Babinski’s death was linked to overdose of Xanax and alcohol. He could not get up in the morning after taking the same at night (6).

Two students from Christian Brother High School were drunk and died in a crash on Valentine’s Day and Xanax was found in their system (7).

When is it safe to take alcohol and how much is safe when on Xanax?

Even 1-2 drinks may not be safe when on Xanax. One should not mix Xanax or Alprazolam with alcohol. It is better to wait for at least 5-6 days to have alcohol after stopping Xanax so that it is eliminated from our system.

Conclusion

Combining Xanax and Alcohol can have life threatening consequences. If you think your friends or family are combining the same, please make them aware of the dangerous interactions. Take the person to emergency if any of the above symptoms occur.

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