The effects of mixing clonazepam and alcohol They can be quite dangerous. Clonazepam is a medication classified as a benzodiazepine, which acts as a tranquilizer in the body. This drug also slows brain activity and can cause increased anxiety, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. If I take clonazepam, can I drink alcohol? In this Psychology-Online article, we tell you about the effects of mixed consumption of these two substances.
Signs and symptoms of taking clonazepam and alcohol
Clonazepam is used to treat panic disorders, compulsive disorders, depression and psychological disorders. Once an individual takes Clonazepam, the drug begins to work very quickly. Because Clonazepam treats chronic disorders without curing them, people who are prescribed this medication often take it for long periods of time and it is extremely adept at relaxing muscles quickly and producing a hypnotic effect.
If I take Clonazepam, can I drink alcohol?
Clonazepam consumption It produces tolerance, and this has a higher risk of occurring when combined with alcohol. When abusing alcohol, we lack proper judgment, and we are likely to take more Clonazepam while drinking than we normally would. This causes the rapid development of greater drug tolerance.
Furthermore, if the prescription for clonazepam is no longer obtained, illegal methods can be sought to obtain it, that is, despite the dangers of the medication, its consumption cannot be controlled, causing the person to lose their job or have financial problems.
Additionally, when a person with physical dependence on clonazepam stops taking the medication, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- fast heartbeat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tingling or numbness
- Dizziness
Effects of combining alcohol and clonazepam
Both clonazepam and alcohol are immune system depressants. When alcohol enters the body, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. It immediately begins to interrupt communication between nerve cells, so those people who consume alcohol excessively become uncoordinated, weak and slow. Like clonazepam, alcohol decreases brain activity and also affects the areas of the brain that control judgment and speech. Like clonazepam, alcohol can be addictive.
Clonazepam has many side effects, and drinking alcohol while taking Clonazepam increases the intensity of these effects. For example, clonazepam slows breathing and heart rate.
Taking Clonazepam while drinking alcohol will cause your heart and breathing rate to slow down very quickly, and this may cause fainting or loss of consciousness. Other side effects of Clonazepam include seizures and memory problems. Combining clonazepam with alcohol can lead to serious memory loss, and dramatically increases the chance of a seizure.
Because clonazepam is used to treat mental illnesses, it has the potential to worsen mental illnesses when consumed with alcohol. Additionally, because of the tranquilizing effect that both clonazepam and alcohol have on the body, people who abuse alcohol are likely to abuse clonazepam after they have been prescribed this drug. It is not uncommon for people addicted to clonazepam and alcohol to consume alcohol excessively, especially when they are temporarily not using the drug.
Treat alcohol addiction with clonazepam or other benzodiazepines
If a person suffers from alcohol addiction (also known as ), when seeking treatment to stop abusing this drug, the doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine medication such as clonazepam to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety and seizures are two symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and benzodiazepines have been shown to be very effective in reducing these symptoms. This can help ease the person’s transition away from alcohol.
However, it is extremely important for the doctor to carefully monitor the patient for signs of benzodiazepine addiction. These medications carry your own risk of addiction and abuse. This can be particularly dangerous if the individual relapses and combines a clonazepam prescription with alcohol consumption.
Treatment for alcohol consumption and clonazepam
Clonazepam treatment for alcohol and addiction targets both addictions separately and together.
Rehabilitation options are varied, depending on the individual and the treatment that is most appropriate for each case. They include outpatient and inpatient treatments, as well as residential treatments for a longer stay at the rehab center.
How to treat clonazepam or alcohol addiction
Outpatient facilities allow you to stay at home while receiving treatment through counseling and support groups.
With inpatient care, the person remains in the facility with constant supervision while receiving different therapies. If you need to stay longer, you can choose a residential treatment center.
Treatment programs include individual therapy with someone who specializes in addictions, as well as programs designed to treat other mental health disorders you may have, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the addiction to clonazepam and alcohol.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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