The Dangers of Mixing Ativan and Alcohol

Alcohol, being one of the most common intoxicating substances consumed in the United States, can be dangerous, especially when taken excessively. Heavy alcohol drinking can lead to dependence and alcohol use disorder.  This will lead to more negative effects on your own health, and accidents and misfortune for the people around you. Studies show that alcohol is involved in one out of ten deaths among adults.

Ativan is a prescription medication used to treat sleep and anxiety disorders. It can help with a lot of health and mental issues, but it can also be abused. One of the most common substance to be abused with Ativan is alcohol. Many people ask if you can drink alcohol and take Ativan at the same time. Ativan and alcohol are very dangerous when combined because both of these substances are used to slow the nervous system down, and when mixed together, can cause extreme drowsiness and be life threatening.

Drinking on Ativan is dangerous. If you know someone who is prescribed Ativan, make sure that they never mix it with alcohol because the result can be severe and irreversible.

Why are Ativan and Alcohol Mixed Together?   

When taken in large doses, Ativan is known to bring immense euphoria. When mixed with alcohol, the calming feeling is magnified and makes the user feel a sense of high. Those people who have substance abuse disorder may aim to achieve this sensation through an Ativan and alcohol experience, but not everybody mixes them together on purpose.

Why are These Substances Dangerous When Combined?   

Since alcohol and Ativan are both used to depress the central nervous system, it can affect the part of the brain responsible for producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps neurons communicate and keeps the risks of convulsion, seizure, and panic attacks at bay. The more GABA there is in the brain, the happier a person will feel. This is where Ativan comes in. Its components can help a person relax.

But what happens when you mix Ativan and alcohol? It can lead to suppressed breathing, tolerance, abuse, addiction, and overdose. Research shows that almost one million Ativan abuse cases were in combination with alcohol. It is actually very rare to see an overdose case that involves Ativan alone. Ativan and alcohol combination is one of the many reasons for overdose and death reports.

What are the Side-Effects of Mixing Ativan with Alcohol?

Ativan, being a mood-altering medication, can cause side effects that can affect the brain. When mixed with alcohol, it can cause the following side-effects:

• Intense headache
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Memory Loss
• Outbalance  
• Heightened risk of overdose

What are the Symptoms of  Ativan and Alcohol Overdose?

It is possible to overdose from Ativan alone, but it is more likely to happen if there are other substances involved. Studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration show that overdoses from Ativan and alcohol include   depression of the central nervous system and may range from slight drowsiness to coma.

In more serious cases, the symptoms may include confusion, hallucinations, paradoxical reactions, and lethargy.  For severe cases, you may find the patient  suffering from cardiovascular depression, difficulty breathing, hypotension, coma, and even death.

Ativan and alcohol overdose is a serious case, and must therefore be avoided as much as possible. If you know somebody who might be going through substance abuse, make sure to seek help for professional treatment.

Treating Ativan and Alcohol Abuse Disorder

Substance abuse and disorder can lead to a lot of dangerous things. A person suffering from this type of abuse can do things they normally wouldn’t do, like experiment with more drug mixtures. This type of abuse can lead to more serious problems when not treated immediately.

Luckily, there are a lot of addiction treatment facilities that specialize in treating substance abuse patients. By giving them a lot of patience and understanding, teaching them self-awareness and stress management, and guiding them to recovery, abuse disorders can be overcome.

Ativan and alcohol withdrawal can cause serious problems to the people around the patient, and it may be hard for the family to cope with all the adjustments and changes they will have to endure.

Haven House Recovery Center, a drug rehab near Murfreesboro, specializes in helping men who have been struggling with substance abuse for a long time. We provide treatment, counseling, and guidance for both the patient and their families. Let us help you move forward with your loved one and encourage growth and change with our treatment programs and aftercare packages. For more information about our services, visit our website and contact us now.