Cocaine and Xanax

Risks of Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

Cocaine and Xanax are considered relative opposites, with one being an upper and the other a downer. But despite being opposites, mixing cocaine and Xanax is pretty common. This is because people may take one or the other to counteract some of the adverse effects of one of the drugs. For instance, cocaine abuse can make it difficult to sleep and cause a powerful crash that Xanax may seem to help ease out. Cocaine may also increase energy and focus in someone taking Xanax.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) [1], in 2019, among adults aged 26 or older, 1.7 percent (or 3.6 million people) used cocaine in the past year. Unfortunately, it is easy to lose control over cocaine use and become addicted. Additionally, the misuse of prescription drugs – such as sedatives like Xanax – is also a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [2], in2017, an estimated 18 million individuals misused their prescription medications at least once in that year alone.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a severely addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. It increases the natural chemical messenger (dopamine) levels in brain circuits related to the control of movement and reward. Although health care providers can use it for valid medical purposes, such as local anesthesia for some surgeries, recreational cocaine use is illegal. 

No matter how much cocaine is taken, it is dangerous. Some of the most common serious problems include heart attack and stroke. Addiction recovery professionals recommend facing cocaine addiction with a long-term treatment plan that promotes positive decision-making and overall health improvements that include learning coping skills. 

The high a single dose of cocaine produces lasts only a few minutes to an hour, encouraging repeated use. Stopping cocaine can cause withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, and agitation. Cocaine addiction is difficult to recover from, but it can be treated.

Side Effects of Cocaine Use

Cocaine abuse results in abnormally elevated dopamine levels and a brief but intense high. This surge of dopamine induces and alters the brain’s reward center and is often found to be highly desirable to those who frequently use cocaine. This effect, however, can permanently change brain chemistry and lead to the development of tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Side effects of cocaine use may include the following:

What is Xanax?

Xanax, a brand name for alprazolam, is a potent benzodiazepine (benzos) that is only recommended for use for up to six weeks. However, according to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [3], Xanax is the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine. It is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax is also prescribed to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause helplessness, panic, or embarrassment (agoraphobia). 

However, Xanax users are at high risk for addiction when taking the drug:

Taking Xanax can lead to physical dependence and addiction. In addition, withdrawal is one of the most common Xanax side effects. It is experienced when someone reduces or stops using this prescription drug, which can lead to complications such as panic attacks, insomnia, and seizures. Withdrawing from Xanax under a rehab facility specializing in Xanax detox reduces the risk for complications and helps the client experience a safer, more comfortable recovery.

Side Effects of Xanax Abuse

Although Xanax may be initially effective at relieving anxiety and other issues, excessive or extended Xanax use manipulates brain chemistry. Xanax artificially boosts the production of the neurotransmitter called GABA, a brain neurochemical that decreases the activity of nerves that lead to emotionally charged conditions.

Side effects of Xanax abuse use may also include the following:

Benzos can also lower inhibitions, not unlike alcohol, and this effect can lead to reckless driving or unsafe sexual activities.

The Opposing Effects of Cocaine and Xanax

Risk of Overdose from Cocaine and Xanax Abuse

One of the most important risks of combining Cocaine and Xanax is the risk of overdose. Anytime someone abuses cocaine or takes Xanax recreationally, there is a great risk that it could lead to an overdose. The more of a drug that you use, the higher that risk.

When someone takes two separate drugs simultaneously, they’re increasing their effects. They’re also asking the body to process two toxins at the same time. This can overload the system, and it can cause an overdose. An overdose may lead to unpleasant side effects like vomiting, but it can also lead to a coma, potential paralysis, or even death.

Cocaine Overdose

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [4], Drug overdose deaths involving cocaine rose from 3,822 in 1999 to 15,883 in 2019. Even though males are more likely to die from taking too much of the substance, it can happen to someone of any gender.

Overdose from cocaine can result in:

The risk of overdose is increased when it is used with other dangerous substances like other drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and alcohol. The combination of heroin and cocaine called speedball is particularly deadly. This combination creates a serious risk of overdose.

Xanax Overdose

An overdose on Xanax can be deadly, especially if the substance is taken with alcohol. Alcohol is particularly dangerous when mixed with Xanax because they are both Depressants; combining the two can lead to an overdose and respiratory failure.

 Xanax should never be combined with other benzodiazepines like Klonopin, Valium, or Ativan. The effects of each drug can “stack” and increase the chance of overdose. Overdose can also occur if the pills are crushed or chewed, as the drug is designed to be time-released into the system.

Xanax overdose symptoms include: