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Tag: Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called “benzos”, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. As depressants—drugs which lower brain activity—they are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

Adderall side effects in females

TL;DR – Adderall can cause similar side effects in females as in males, including insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss, anxiety, dizziness, and nausea. Hormonal fluctuations may also affect its efficacy and side effects in females.

Even though Adderall effectively treats ADHD, men and women alike can experience a wide range of side effects. However, some Adderall side effects are unique to females, which is why it’s essential to understand what these side effects are and what to do if you experience them.

Any woman who abuses Adderall and similar stimulants should seek treatment as quickly as possible. Before you start taking Adderall, keep in mind that this particular drug is considered highly addictive by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The following offers a more comprehensive overview of Adderall’s side effects commonly found in women.

What You Should Know About Adderall

Adderall is the primary drug used to treat ADHD, a chronic health condition that results in hyperactivity and attention difficulty. While the drug is mainly designed to reduce ADHD symptoms, it’s also regularly used by people looking to lose weight.

This medication is trendy on college campuses by students who believe that they will obtain higher grades with the enhanced concentration that Adderall can provide. A small number of people who abuse the drug will inject or snort the drug, which is designed to make the effects of the drug more potent.

How Adderall Affects Females

The amount of Adderall that a woman should take depends on her body weight. If doses aren’t varied based on body weight, the total amount of processed amphetamine within the body increases by upwards of 30%. Keep in mind that estrogen will also determine how effective Adderall is when taken by females.

When estrogen is at an elevated level, the effects of Adderall are heightened. Estrogen can be at elevated levels during menopause, puberty, or pregnancy. When a woman takes a standard dose of Adderall during pregnancy or menopause, she can experience a “high” sensation. The body may even become physically dependent on the drug, which is dangerous and can lead to addiction.

Primary Side Effects of Adderall in Females

Some of the side effects that a person can experience after taking Adderall are more common among women, mainly the result of how a woman processes this substance. The main side effects that you could experience when taking a standard dose of Adderall include:

  • Decreased libido
  • Increased anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Issues with bowel movements
  • Sleeping difficulties, which can consist of having trouble staying asleep

How Adderall Can Affect a Pregnancy

If you are currently pregnant and are considering taking Adderall for ADHD or to lose weight, you should avoid using this medication for the duration of your pregnancy. Even though there haven’t been many studies centered around the effects of Adderall on pregnancy, the limited amount of research indicates that taking any form of amphetamines could be unsafe during pregnancy.

Taking illegal amphetamines like methamphetamine could result in relatively low birth weight, withdrawal symptoms following the birth, premature birth, and physical harm to infants or fetuses. Infant mortality is also a possibility. On the other hand, Adderall has proven to be somewhat effective at treating the adverse symptoms associated with menopause.

Adderall

Severe Side Effects Associated with Adderall

Because women have a higher chance of experiencing side effects when taking Adderall, the possibility of going through severe side effects is also increased. Stimulants like Adderall will invariably increase body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. You’re also more likely to lose your appetite and have issues with falling asleep at night.

It’s important to understand that standard usage of Adderall can still lead to changes being made within your brain in regards to how emotions are regulated. When taken for a prolonged period, Adderall could cause damage to the heart muscles, lungs, vascular system, and similar internal organs, which could worsen your health considerably.

Possibility of Adderall Leading to Shortness of Breath

Some of the more severe Adderall side effects that females may experience include fainting, shortness of breath, and difficulties with breathing. These side effects could create additional health complications and potentially death if left untreated. If you go through any of these symptoms, it’s highly recommended to obtain medical treatment as soon as possible.

Possibility of Adderall Leading to High Blood Pressure

Because Adderall is considered a stimulant, it can cause high blood pressure in women. While most people will experience elevated blood pressure at one time or another, this side effect can pose a problem if you’re also suffering from a severe cardiac issue or heart abnormality. When you take Adderall, the medication may cause your heart rate to increase at a rate of 3-6 beats every minute. This increase may be even higher depending on your current health. If you have been diagnosed with any heart condition, you must speak with your doctor before you decide to use Adderall for your ADHD.

Possibility of Adderall Leading to a Heart Attack

Adderall is a powerful stimulant that everyone shouldn’t take. Even a single use of this medication could result in cardiac arrest, which isn’t necessarily as severe as a heart attack. A cardiac arrest can develop without forewarning and occurs when a person’s heartbeat suddenly stops. If you don’t use Adderall as prescribed, the possibility that you experience a cardiac arrest increases substantially. The side effects that might occur when you take a higher dose of Adderall than you were prescribed include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Hypertension 
  • Stroke
  • Chest pain
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Heart attack
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Insomnia

Signs that a Loved One Is Abusing Adderall

Unlike some drugs, it’s not always easy to identify that someone is abusing Adderall. Some students and younger people will take Adderall to increase their concentration levels and productivity. The main signs of being on the lookout for if you believe that someone close to you is abusing Adderall include:

  • Excitability that’s uncharacteristic
  • Secretive behavior
  • Aggression
  • Working or concentrating too hard
  • Withdrawing from social situations
  • Talking too much
  • Not finishing thoughts
  • Mania
  • Unexplained financial issues
  • Taking pills frequently
  • Need to refill prescriptions at a quicker rate than anticipated
  • Memory problems
  • Fast weight loss

Treatment Options Available to Females

There is a wide range of effective treatments available to women abusing Adderall or who have become addicted to the medication. These treatments can primarily be broken down into medical detoxification, outpatient treatment, and inpatient rehab, all of which can help you work towards recovery and are available at ReCreate Life Counseling.

Medical Detoxification

Medical detox programs are designed to help any woman dependent on Adderall progress safely through the withdrawal symptoms that naturally occur. When a body becomes dependent on any drug or medication, when deciding to stop taking medicine, you will experience withdrawal symptoms that can worsen your health and make relapse more likely. Medical detox allows you to go through this process under 24/7 medical supervision. You will also likely receive small doses of medications that can ease the withdrawal symptoms and help you progress to the next stage of treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient programs are designed to help you learn how to manage your addiction and lead a sober lifestyle without requiring you to stay in a residential facility. This form of treatment is available on a part-day or full-day basis and usually takes place several days each week. During treatment, you should still meet all of your work or school responsibilities.

Women who attend this treatment program will be in an environment tailored to fit their specific needs. The treatments administered during an outpatient rehab program include family therapy, group counseling, behavioral therapy, and individual therapy.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab provides you with all of the same treatments available in outpatient rehab. However, the main difference is that these therapies are provided in a residential setting, which you will be required to stay at on a 24/7 basis for the duration of the program. This is the most intensive form of treatment and is designed to accommodate women going through a severe addiction to Adderall. You’ll be in a drug-free environment among other people who are going through the same journey as you.

Even if you take Adderall as prescribed, the side effects among females can be severe and lead to abuse or addiction. When this occurs, you or your loved one must admit that treatment is needed. Call ReCreate Life Counseling today if you have any questions about our programs or would like to begin your path towards recovery.

Published on: 2021-11-26
Updated on: 2024-04-07

What is the Fastest-Acting Benzodiazepine?

Benzodiazepines are one of the most potent prescription medications and treat anxiety and panic disorders and sleep-related disorders. They are also commonly used to treat the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal while in medical detox.

Also commonly called benzos, this kind of prescription tranquilizer has a very high likelihood of abuse and addiction. Since they can be so habit-forming, they are rarely prescribed for long-term use. The strength of benzos ranges quite a bit. One of the lowest potency benzos being Valium, and one of the highest is Xanax.

What is the Fastest-Acting Benzodiazepine?

The Fastest Acting Benzodiazepine

There are two benzodiazepines available that tie for the quickest acting. They are Valium, or diazepam, and Tranxene, or clorazepate. These prescription medications will begin working within the first 15-30 minutes after taking them. Ativan and Xanax are very close second and typically begin working 30 minutes to an hour.

The method of use will also determine how quickly you will feel the effects. The numbers above are related to taking the dose orally. Many benzos are available or are often abused via injection. In this case, the effects will happen almost immediately after they enter your system because they reach your brain much faster.

How Long Do Benzodiazepines Stay in Your System?

All benzodiazepines act similarly on the body but with different strengths and reaction times. They work on the body by affecting a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending messaged throughout the brain and the spinal cord. GABA is an inhibitor. This means it suppresses the functions of the spinal cord and brain. Essentially it is a central nervous system depressant that causes a calm and relaxed feeling on the body when taken. This is why they are so helpful in treating the symptoms of anxiety disorders and seizures.

Valium, one of the fastest-acting benzos, can stay in a person’s system for up to 10 days after taking it, but that is just true for the drug itself. The agents that are metabolized by the liver can stick around for much longer. The runner-up Xanax only stays in your system for approximately ten days.

High Risk Associated With Benzo Use

Like mentioned before, there is a very high risk associated with benzo use resulting in abuse and addiction. It does not matter which one is being taken. Once dependence and abuse have happened, stopping the drug can be very painful and even dangerous. This is called withdrawal. At this point, your body has become used to having the drug in your system and no longer knows how to function without it anymore properly. In its most severe form, it can cause seizures, strokes, coma, and even death.

When withdrawal is a possibility, we highly recommend getting help through a medically assisted detox. Here, a team of medical professionals, doctors, and addiction specialists will be able to treat your symptoms of withdrawal as soon as they occur. The main goal of detox is to provide a pain-free and safe process for you in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Overcome Benzo Abuse at Recreate Life Counseling

Once detox has been completed, we recommend you participate in one or more of our treatment programs; During this time, we will help you understand the cause of your abuse and addiction and provide you the tools you need to avoid these drugs in the future once you have returned home.

If you or a loved one is suffering from benzodiazepine abuse or addiction, just remember that there is a way out, and you do not have to go through this alone. Reach out to Recreate Life Counseling as we have addiction specialists ready to answer all your questions and help you find the best treatment option.

Published on: 2021-08-20
Updated on: 2024-04-18

What Drugs Did Lil Peep Overdose On?

Substance abuse has always been a major player when it comes to rap music and rap culture. There are very few rap artists who have never written and rapped about their struggles with substance abuse, or about the role that chemical substances play in their lives. While many rap artists romanticize drug misuse, some portray drug addiction in a realistic light. Eminem, for example, has openly rapped about his struggles with addiction and his subsequent recovery.

What Drugs Did Lil Peep Overdose On?

Did Drug Abuse Cause Lil Peep’s Death?

Not all rap artists can overcome addiction, however – Lil Peep, for example, lost his battle with drug addiction in 2017. The young musician was born in Pennsylvania in 1996, and he was raised in New York, which is where he first began releasing music. He quickly moved from SoundCloud (a free platform) to performing in clubs, and soon he had gained rampant popularity for his unique style of rap-rock.

Like many other people across the country who struggle with addiction, Lil Peep simultaneously struggled with mental illness. He was diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder at a young age, his mental illnesses undeniably played into his substance use. Most people know that Lil Peep passed away at a young age, whether or not they are fans. However, not many people know what drugs he overdosed on.

What Drugs Did Lil Peep Overdose On?

Lil Peep was on tour in Arizona when he experienced a fatal drug-related overdose. Before his death, he had posted about drug use on several social media outlets, letting his fans know that he was taking prescription medication (specifically Xanax), cannabis concentrate, and cocaine. He alluded to the fact that he took psilocybin mushrooms as well (magic mushrooms).

His manager found him unresponsive on his tour bus, and even though he called emergency first responders immediately Lil Peep was later pronounced dead at the scene. The toxicology report concluded that the young rap artist had a combination of chemical substances present in his system at the time of death.

The actual cause of death, however (the drugs that lead to his overdose), was a combination of Xanax and fentanyl. Fentanyl is a notoriously deadly synthetic opioid, one that is between 50 and 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl has been solely responsible for the deaths of many well-loved musicians and celebrities. However, combining fentanyl with a benzodiazepine like Xanax is far more dangerous, and more often than not doing so results in overdose or overdose-related death.

What are the Numbers and Statistics About Overdoes in America?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a study conducted in 2019 found that 16 percent of all overdose deaths that involved opioid narcotics also involved benzodiazepines. Every day, an average of 136 Americans over the age of 12 lose their lives to accidental opioid overdose. Rates of opioid abuse are higher among men and women who struggle with underlying mental health conditions – just like Lil Peep.

The good news, however, is that recovery is always possible. If you or someone you love has been struggling with an opioid abuse disorder of any type or severity, you must seek professional help immediately to prevent overdose. Call Recreate Life Counseling today to learn more about how to get started with a program of recovery.

Recreate Life Counseling and Drug Addiction Recovery

At Recreate Life Counseling we offer age and gender-specific treatment options for people of all ages and walks of life who are struggling with drug addiction and who might be at risk of overdose. Our main priority is ensuring that all of our clients leave our treatment program with the tools they need to stay sober long-term. To learn more about our comprehensive drug addiction treatment program, call us at any point in time – we are standing by to help in any way that we can.

Published on: 2021-05-28
Updated on: 2024-04-18

What is the Most Euphoric Benzodiazepine?

TL;DR – Ativan is the most is the most euphoric Benzodiazepine.

Benzodiazepines are a drug that belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. They work on the central nervous system by enhancing the effects of a receptor called GABA. Benzodiazepines attach themselves to these GABA receptors which in turn slows down nerve stimulation and produces a calming effect. Benzos affect areas of the brain that are responsible for memory, sleep, emotions, rational thought, and some breathing functions too.

Benzodiazepines are often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders, or epilepsy. Some of the effects on Benzos can be reduced anxiety, sedation, and muscle relaxation.

Benzo

Types of Benzodiazepines Available

Benzodiazepines are classified into three different categories based on their half-life: short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. To determine a Benzodiazepine’s strength, you must consider the drug’s potency and half-life. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug to break down and completely exit the body.

The Benzodiazepines with a shorter half-life are often felt more intensely and take effect more rapidly, which often attracts these drugs to abusers.

High-Potency Benzodiazepines

Short Half-Life

Long Half-Life

Low-Potency Benzodiazepines

Short Half-Life

Long Half-Life

  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Clorazepate (Tranxene)
  • Flurazepam

Lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax) are the most potent Benzodiazepines. Both of these drugs produce a rapid and intense high or euphoria. Another high potency Benzodiazepine, which is not prescribed in the U.S., is flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Rohypnol has a relatively long half-life and is often used as a date rape drug. This drug is an illicit substance that is sold only on the streets.

doctor

Benzodiazepine Abuse and Addiction

Benzodiazepine abuse is when an individual takes doses larger and more frequently than prescribed to experience the euphoria it produces. Sometimes abusers will crush the medication so it can be snorted, smoked, or injected.

According to the National Institutes of Health:

BZD misuse and abuse is a growing problem. Approximately 2.3% to 18% of Americans have misused sedatives or tranquilizers for nonmedical use in their lifetime. Nearly 10% of these individuals met the criteria for abuse or dependence. In 2010, there were an estimated 186 000 new BZD abusers. Emergency departments (EDs) have seen a sharp 139% increase in BZD-related visits. Older age and the presence of other drugs were associated with more serious outcomes, including death. The number of admissions to treatment programs for BZD abuse nearly tripled from 1998 to 2008. During this same time, the number of all substance abuse treatment program admissions only increased by 11%. (NIH)

Benzodiazepine abuse can lead to addiction and cause several adverse effects and dangers. Some of these effects can include: dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, motor vehicle accidents, confusion, falls and injuries, vertigo, and birth defects. It has also been linked to suicidal ideation and suicide.

One of the biggest and most dangerous effects of Benzodiazepine addiction is the acute withdrawal that comes with abruptly stopping the medication. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause grand mal seizures, which can be deadly, and delirium tremens. The safest way to detox off of Benzodiazepines is in a medically supervised treatment environment. These facilities can monitor you and give you the appropriate medications to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, our addiction specialists are available around the clock to assist you. Recreate Life Counseling offers evidence-based addiction treatment programs. Our cutting edge addiction treatment will lead you on a road to long-lasting recovery. Our mission is to offer our clients individualized treatment plans to help recreate their lives. You don’t have to suffer any longer, call us today.

FAQ

  • What is the Most Euphoric Benzodiazepine?

Published on: 2020-11-06
Updated on: 2024-04-18

How Long Are Benzos Detected in Urine?

Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, like Xanax and Valium are central nervous system depressants that are used to treat things such as anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and used as a muscle relaxant. Benzos act on specific receptors called gamma-aminobutyric acid- A, or GABA – A, receptors. They work by attaching to these GABA – A receptors and make the nerves in the brain less sensitive to outside stimulation.

How Long Are Benzos Detected in Urine?

How Does a Urine Test Work for Benzodiazepines

A positive urine test for benzodiazepines will show up as early 2 hours after a person has taken the drug. The length of time a Benzodiazepine will stay in your system is dependent upon the type of benzo you take. Long-acting benzos like Valium can stay in your urine for up to 10 days. Intermediate-acting benzos like Xanax, Ativan, Restoril, Klonopin, and Rohypnol can show up in your urine for up to 5 days. Short-acting such as Halcion and Dalmane only show up in your urine for up to 2 days.

Taking a urine test with urinalysis is the most common way to check for benzodiazepines. The amount of hydration does affect a urine test. Higher fluid intake can dilute the drugs in your system and even create a result that is a false negative.

How Long Do Benzos Stay in Your System?

A person’s metabolism also affects the outcome of a urine test. Every person’s metabolism rate is different and can vary depending on their age, gender, ethnicity, and whether the person has a liver or kidney problem. A person who has a slower metabolism means they metabolize the drug slower and it will take a longer time to leave the body. People with a faster metabolism break down the drug much quicker. Other factors also play a part in how long benzos that in a person’s urine such as:

  • Body mass
  • Duration of use
  • Amount used
  • Urine’s pH
  • The properties of the drug

Multiple other tests can be done to detect benzodiazepines in a person’s system. Blood tests are more invasive than urine tests, however, blood tests have a shorter window of time that a urine test. A hair test can also be done. Drugs accumulate in the outgrowths of a person’s hair follicles. Saliva tests can detect drugs like Xanax up to 3 days after ingestion. Saliva tests have a longer window than blood tests but shorter than urine tests.

Long-term misuse of benzodiazepines will lead to dependency and addiction. After someone has become dependent on this drug, and the drug is removed from the body, the brain will severely struggle to restore its normal balance. This results in a very uncomfortable and even dangerous withdrawal process. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after as little as 1 month of use. The severity of withdrawal relies on a range of variants.

Treatment for Benzo Addiction

If you or someone you love is ready to take the necessary steps to get sober, the best way to start is with a medically assisted detox process. Due to the brains rewiring after prolonged use, withdrawal symptoms can be extremely intense. Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off Benzodiazepines is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling.

Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.

FAQ

  • How long does Xanax stay in your system?

Published on: 2020-10-07
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Is Benzo Detox More Painful Than Heroin Withdrawal?

Detox, which is also known as detoxification, is the process of expelling drugs from your system. This is the first step in the recovery of nearly all drug and alcohol addictions. It is your body’s ways of cleansing itself from the dangerous substances that are polluting it. Withdrawal is the physical and mental effects that happen to a person when they either lower their intake of a substance or stop taking it altogether.

Is Benzo Detox More Painful Than Heroin Withdrawal

How Painful is Opiate Withdrawal?

While the experience will vary from person to person, most people will say that the most painful experience is opiate withdrawal, which includes heroin. Heroin withdrawal can begin as early as a few hours from the last dose and will often feel like a very serious case of the flu, peaking during the second or third day. The symptoms can last even up to a couple of weeks. Common symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Cold sweats
  • Anxiety
  • Crawling skin
  • Body cramping
  • Muscle aches

Even after the initial withdrawal symptoms from detoxing wears off, Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is very common with heroin addiction. PAWS can last for up to 24 months after drug use has stopped and includes symptoms like poor sleep and concentration, heightened anxiety, panic attacks, depression, mood swings, restlessness, and even memory loss.

How Painful is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?

This does not mean that benzodiazepine withdrawal and detox is less important or painful if the circumstances are different. Benzo withdrawal also comes with a list of symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, muscle discomfort, sweating, cravings, and tremors. In more severe cases, a person can even experience hallucinations and seizures. The big difference between benzos and heroin is that benzos have a shorter half-life. This means the length of time the substance stays in the body after consumption ultimately resulting in a shorter withdrawal timeline.

Withdrawal is Different from Person to Person

While it is said that withdrawal from heroin is more painful than detox from benzodiazepines, all withdrawal and detox from a drug are different from person to person and different factors go into what each person will go through. These factors include:

  • How often you have been using the drug
  • How long you have been using it
  • How much you take at a time
  • If you mix different drugs
  • Any underlying mental health conditions
  • Your personal medical history
  • Your age
  • Your gender

Detoxing from drugs on your own is very risky no matter what the drug is. Medically assisted detox becomes necessary when a person becomes physically, mentally, and emotionally dependent upon a drug. It involves a supervised detox process where medical professionals and doctors create a personalized detox program specifically for you and monitor you to help ease the side effects to a minimum while your withdrawal from the drugs.

Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off of your drug of choice is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling. We offer many different treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs.

Treatment for Drug Addiction

Addiction treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. We want to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid relapse in the real world. If you want the help then we are here to assist you in any way we can.

FAQ

  • Is Benzo Detox More Painful Than Heroin Withdrawal?

Published on: 2020-08-25
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Mixing Klonopin and Xanax

Xanax, which is the brand name for alprazolam, belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax is commonly used to treat panic disorders and anxiety. Klonopin, or the brand name of Clonazepam, is normally used to control seizures as an anticonvulsant and is also used to treat panic attacks and anxiety. This drug also belongs to the same group of drugs, benzodiazepines. Both act as tranquilizers that work on the central nervous system by causing the brain to be less sensitive to outside stimulation, creating a calming effect on the person.

Both of these drugs can be very dangerous on their own as they both have a high likelihood of dependency and also abuse. When mixing Xanax and Klonopin, the dangers of each drug are even greater. Often, people mix substances to enhance the effects of the other drug. These two drugs are often mixed, but this even more so heightens the likelihood of an overdose.

Mixing Klonopin and Xanax

Why Are Xanax and Klonopin Mixed Together?

Since Xanax and Klonopin both cause the same kind of effects, people mix and use the two drugs together simultaneously to enhance the effects of each drug. Xanax has a shorter half-life, which means the effect begins to take place much quicker on the body whereas Klonopin lasts longer than Xanax does. Mixing the two gives long-lasting effects as well as quick-acting results. People who abuse benzodiazepines want the relaxed feeling that they cause. These drugs mixed also cause the following desired symptoms:

  • Sedation
  • Muscle relaxation
  • Reduced worry and anxiety
  • Extreme relaxation
  • Confusion

It is also possible that people mix Xanax and Klonopin because they have already developed a tolerance for one of the drugs, so taking the two together is an attempt to feel the same effects they once felt before they built up a tolerance. They may also just want to extend the time that the high lasts.

Risks of Mixing Xanax and Klonopin

Mixing Xanax and Klonopin on a regular, long term, basis potentially increases the severity of the long term effects of benzodiazepine abuse. Chronis and prolonged abuse of this class of drugs can cause brain deficits. For example, those who abuse these two substances together may have permanent difficulty with focusing and concentration, memory impairment, and difficulty speaking.

When mixed, these drugs also have the potential to cause brain damage to a person. Those who regularly abuse these together can enter states of delirium, develop depression, have psychotic experiences, have aggressive episodes, mood swings, and poor impulse behavior.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin will very quickly cause physical dependence. This occurs after a person builds up a tolerance to the substances. This means a person will continually require more and more of the drugs to achieve the same effects. Once a person is physically dependent on benzos, reducing the dosage, or stopping immediately can result in extremely life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The risks for a dangerous withdrawal process are even higher when you combine the to benzodiazepines. Without the drugs in the person’s body, the brain goes into overdrive to compensate causing convulsions, seizures, and can even lead to death.

Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction

Once you have detoxed, the best and safest option to get off of and stay off Benzodiazepines is by the use of one of the many treatment programs we offer at Recreate Life Counseling We offer many different treatment programs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society.

With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs. Benzodiazepine treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. We want to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid relapse in the real world.

  • Is it safe to alternate between Clonazapam and Xanax?

Published on: 2020-06-30
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Mixing Percocet and Xanax

When an individual takes two prescription medications at the same time, it is considered polydrug abuse. Polydrug abuse is extremely dangerous, seeing as many drugs interact with one another in a variety of adverse ways. When it comes to Percocet and Xanax, combining the two is exceptionally unsafe, and can often prove to be life-threatening. Percocet is a potent pain medication – an opioid narcotic.

Xanax is a prescription tranquilizer – a medication used to treat severe symptoms of anxiety-related disorders. Combining these two drugs leads to central nervous system depression and slowed breathing, which can ultimately lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death. Medical professionals will never prescribe these two medications at the same time because the potentially fatal interactions are well-known.

Still, some individuals take both medications at one time to enhance the “high” that drug abuse provides. Individually, Xanax abuse and Percocet abuse are very dangerous and will require intensive professional treatment. Those who combine the two medications are at greater risk of an overdose every single time they use, and professional intervention will need to occur right away to prevent accidental death. If you or someone you love has been struggling with polydrug abuse of any kind, call Recreate Life Counseling today. We will help get you started on your journey of addiction recovery.

Mixing Percocet and Xanax

More on Percocet Addiction

Percocet is a medication consisting of a combination of oxycodone, a potent opioid narcotic, and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you believe that you or someone close to you has been struggling with an addiction to Percocet, there are several signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for. These include (but are not limited to):

  • Gastrointestinal issues, usually marked by extreme and persistent constipation.
  • Insomnia and other sleep-related issues.
  • Mood swings, often marked by long periods of significant depression.
  • Profuse sweating.
  • Respiratory depression and difficulties breathing.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Issues with coordination and concentration.

Those struggling with an addiction to Percocet, Xanax, or both will often engage in certain behavioral symptoms of addiction as well. One of the predominant symptoms is doctor shopping, which refers to making appointments with multiple doctors in an attempt to get a larger quantity of the medication in question.

More on Xanax Addiction

Xanax is a potent prescription benzodiazepine, one that is widely prescribed and responsible for a significant amount of overdose-related deaths on an annual basis. It was reported that in the year 2015 alone, there were over 8,000 deaths in the US that were directly linked to benzodiazepine abuse. The majority of men and women that acquire this drug will not receive a prescription but instead receive the medication from a close friend or relative (55% of all users, in fact). On the other hand, only 17.3 percent of American adults who abuse Xanax originally received the prescription from a medical professional.

In the year 2013, there were over 50 million Xanax prescriptions written nationwide. This drug is frequently abused and readily accessible. In many cases, an individual will begin to abuse Xanax, develop a physical tolerance, and then begin combining this drug with other prescription medications like Percocet. Again, combining Xanax and Percocet increases the risk of overdose and several other health-related complications.

Get the Help You Need

Recreate Life Counseling is dedicated to helping men and women of all ages overcome Percocet and Xanax addiction and go on to lead happy and fulfilling lives. We understand that those who have been struggling with polydrug abuse will require a more intensive level of care. Abusing two drugs at one time does excessive damage to the mind and the body. Fortunately, our comprehensive recovery program caters to those who have been grappling with addictive disorders of all severities. To learn more, simply pick up the phone and give us a call.

Published on: 2020-06-24
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Mixing Valium and Vodka

Valium, also known as Diazepam, is used to treat anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, as well as sedation before medical procedures. It works by calming the nerves and the brain. Valium belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

Benzos are central nervous system depressants, and so is alcohol, such as Vodka.  These two substances work the same on the brain. So when they are mixed and taken at the same time, this can be very dangerous and can lead to overdose and death. According to SAMHSA:

In 2014, approximately 20.2 million adults aged 18 or older had a past year SUD. Of these adults, 16.3 million had an alcohol use disorder and 6.2 million had an illicit drug use disorder (Figure 1). An estimated 2.3 million adults had both an alcohol use disorder and an illicit drug use disorder in the past year. Of the adults with a past year SUD, 4 out of 5 had an alcohol use disorder, nearly 3 out of 10 had an illicit drug use disorder, and 1 out of 9 had both an alcohol use disorder and an illicit drug use disorder.

Because both vodka and Valium work on the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, they both stimulate similar effects especially when taken in high doses. Both vodka and Valium increase the bioavailability of the drugs so when they are taken together, it increases the risk of an overdose. When you mix them, it increases the potency of both substances.

Valium and Vodka

Side Effects of Mixing Valium and Alcohol

Separately, both Valium and vodka create alarming side effects. When combined, this synergetic effect can be even more dangerous. Common side effects with Valium abuse include:

  • Nausea
  • Tremors
  • Hyperactivity
  • Restlessness
  • Vertigo
  • Fatigue
  • Seizures
  • Psychosis
  • Panic attacks

Common side effects of alcohol abuse include:

  • Memory loss
  • Impaired muscle coordination
  • High blood pressure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Unconsciousness/ blackouts
  • Impaired judgment
  • Vomiting

When vodka and Valium are mixed, there can be plenty of dangerous and unpleasant side effects such as:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Disorientation
  • Sedation
  • Stumbling
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in appetite
  • Restlessness and/or excitement
  • Memory problems
  • Drowsiness
  • Depression
  • Decreased mental ability
  • Loss of motor function
  • Poor coordination
  • Loss of consciousness

Is Valium Safe? What About Alcohol?

Valium is considered a relatively safe prescription drug when taken as prescribed. Some people mix Valium with vodka to purposely intensify the effects of the calming effects of each substance. It isn’t always easy to tell when someone is abusing these two substances. If you or someone you love are ready to take the steps to get sober, the best way is, to begin with, a medically assisted detox. The withdrawal symptoms from alcohol like vodka and Valium can be extremely dangerous and painful. These symptoms include muscle pain and cramps, seizures, and even coma, just to name a few. Medically assisted detox is very much recommended to safely get the substances from your system.

Once you’ve detoxed from Vodka and Valium, the best way to remain sober and avoid relapse is the use of one of our many treatment programs offered at Recreate Life Counseling. We offer many different treatment programs so we can ensure that you will find a program that fits best for you. We combine our treatment programs with therapeutic education and guidance to help each patient safely reintegrate into your life.

Overcome Addiction With Drug Treatment

Addiction isn’t an easy thing to face. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let Recreate Life Counseling help you do it.

Published on: 2020-06-23
Updated on: 2024-04-18

Find Out How We Can Help You

At Recreate Life Counseling, we understand that the journey to recovery can be daunting without the proper support. We're here to listen, understand your challenges, and offer personalized guidance as you consider a life free from drugs and alcohol. Our admissions team is ready to assist you, whether you're looking for treatment, need advice, or simply want someone to talk to!

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