Alcohol & Benzodiazepine tranquilizers
The combination of alcohol and benzodiazepine tranquilizers can be dangerous because both alcohol and benzodiazepines act as central nervous system depressants. And the combination of substances of the same direction of action almost always carries dangers.
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and quickly distributed throughout the body, including the brain. Once in the brain, alcohol interferes with the normal functioning of neurotransmitters. In particular, alcohol affects the GABA, which is responsible for inhibiting certain brain activities and producing feelings of relaxation and sedation. Alcohol enhances the effects of GABA and leads to increased inhibition of brain activity.
Benzos are a type of medication that is commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Like alcohol, benzodiazepines work by interfering with the normal functioning of neurotransmitters in the brain. Specifically, they enhance the effects of the same GABA. By enhancing the effects of GABA, benzodiazepines help to reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
When combined, these substances create a situation of increased risk. The effects of each are amplified. The person may experience excessive muscle relaxation, serious problems with coordination, overwhelming drowsiness, thought distortions, amnesia, suppression of respiratory activity, nausea, and vomiting.
All this can lead to falls and serious injuries, blackouts, vomiting during the loss of consciousness, and respiratory arrest. Combining alcohol and benzodiazepines is dangerous. Moreover, if a person is alone, does not know what they doing, and getting medical care quickly can be difficult.
There is an opinion that benzodiazepines can be combined in small doses with soft drinks to achieve relaxation with some euphoria. This may be true, but even with a sparing approach, there are risks of excessive intoxication with memory loss. This is less talked about, but there is a possibility of development and paradoxical reactions, that include hostility, aggressive outbursts, and anterograde amnesia. And some consumers have stomach and digestive problems. Also, the combination of alcohol and benzos dramatically increases the chances of developing a combined addiction.
We urge you to approach recreational use consciously and weigh the risks.
Last edited by a moderator: