Mixing drugs such as benzos and alcohol can have a detrimental effect on your mental, emotional, and physical health. Polysubstance use can cause short and long-term health problems that you may not recover from. Before you allow addiction to destroy your life, get help at a benzo addiction treatment center in Oregon.
Benzos and alcohol are two common substances that people often take for granted. It is not uncommon for someone to consume their prescription and drink a glass of wine, beer, or liquor at the same time. It is only after they experience a side effect that they realize how dangerous the combination is.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
The word benzodiazepines or benzos refers to substances that slow down or relax the central nervous system. Doctors prescribe benzos for patients who struggle with seizure disorders, insomnia, or anxiety. Some of the most common benzos on the marketing include:
- Xanax
- Valium
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Ativan
- Rohypnol
Benzos are among the most commonly abused prescription drugs in America today. The overdose epidemic for benzos is on the same level as prescription opioids and illicit street drugs. While benzos are relatively safe if taken as prescribed, they are potentially dangerous when someone combines them with another substance such as alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or other drugs.
Side Effects of Benzos and Alcohol
Most people are unaware of the dangers of mixing alcohol and benzos. Overdoses often occur when someone increases their benzos dosage and alcohol intake. Side effects may include:
Fatigue and Drowsiness
Both alcohol and benzos contain substances that slow down the central nervous system. When taken together in large amounts, a person may feel fatigued or drowsiness. If used together every day, the user may experience a decline in energy or motivation. They may feel like staying in bed.
Impaired Cognitive Function
Impaired cognitive function can range from memory loss to a lack of focus or inability to concentrate. Just like the rest of the nervous system, the brain starts to slow down the longer the user consumes each substance at the same time. A person may have difficulty recalling information or remembering simple things.
Addiction
People who use alcohol and benzos at the same time may develop an addiction. As a result, they need professional help at an alcohol rehab center with a benzo addiction treatment program. Professional help may include detox, rehab, and aftercare. A comprehensive treatment program can help a person end their addiction to both substances.
Anxiety or Depression
The constant slowing down of the nervous system can put a person in a depressed state. They may feel an emotional cloud hovering over them and can’t seem to shake it. Sometimes the combination of these drugs can trigger anxiety or panic attacks as a reverse side effect.
Treatment for Alcohol and Benzos Addiction
A person who has an addiction to both benzos and alcohol can get the help they need from a substance abuse treatment center. A rehab facility offers a wide range of treatments, such as:
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Men’s and women’s drug rehab
- Evidence-based treatment
- Holistic rehab programs
- Individual, group, and family therapy
A client can receive dual diagnosis treatment to get help for polysubstance addiction as well as any mental disorders they may have. A comprehensive approach to treatment allows someone to heal in all areas of their life – not just the addiction. Dual diagnosis can help treatment specialists get to the heart of the problem and provide a long-term solution to the condition.
Get Help at Sunstone Recovery
If you have an addiction to benzos and alcohol, then now is the time to get help. Sunstone Recovery can help you with your condition. Contact us by calling 855.833.9199 to explore your treatment options at our drug addiction treatment center in Oregon.
