Mixing Lorazepam and Alcohol: Risks and Warnings

Mixing lorazepam and alcohol can result in serious, lethal consequences. Not many people understand the dangers of mixing lorazepam and alcohol. Some of them are:

• Health complications
• Overdose
• Death

Anti-anxiety medications, though very effective, also have the potential for abuse. Apart from misusing them on their own, some people also tend to combine them with other drugs like alcohol, which is highly dangerous.

Benzodiazepines are most commonly abused alongside alcohol and opioids. ChoicePoint specializes in dealing with benzo addiction. Call 844.445.2565 for more information.

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How Do Lorazepam and Alcohol Work Together?

Lorazepam, commonly available as Atvian, is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. When lorazepam is combined with alcohol, both will work to slow down the CNS processes. This means that normal functioning is hindered to a large extent. 

The main issue is that since lorazepam is a benzo when combined with alcohol, it will cause a person to go into deep sleep. This kind of sleep makes it difficult for the patients to breathe properly. The two substances enhance the chemical responsible for inducing calmness and slowing down the nervous system.

Side Effects of Mixing Lorezapm and Alcohol

Alcohol amplifies the side effects of lorazepam because both work on the same receptors of the brain. 

Short-Term Effects

The short-term side effects of lorazepam and alcohol may include but are not limited to:

• Heavy sleep to the point where waking up is difficult despite slow breathing
• Drowsiness
• Slowed breath
• Impaired motor coordination
• Dizziness
• Slowed heart rate
• Seizures

These are only some of the side effects of lorazepam and alcohol. The side mentioned above can also be fatal, such as seizures or vomiting. 

Safely Treating Anxiety and AUD

Long-term Effects

Consistent practice can lead to fatal consequences if the short-term effects are not taken seriously. 

1. Accidental Lorazepam Overdose

All substances are metabolized in the liver. However, since lorazepam and alcohol trigger the same neurotransmitter simultaneously, it puts a strain on the liver. It may not be able to clean it out, increasing the risk of overdose. 

2. Morbidity

In easier words, morbidity refers to severe health complications. It is a major consequence of mixing alcohol and benzos like lorazepam together. Morbidity may refer to:

• Respiratory complications
• Coma
• Brain injury

If you want to mix benzo with alcohol, get in touch with a mental health and addiction specialist to stay safe. 

3. Death

Combining two substances of the same nature is highly hazardous. Alcohol and lorazepam can potentially cause toxicity in the body. There is also an increased risk of death when two depressants, especially benzo and alcohol, are taken together.

Who is at Risk of Combining Lorazepam and Alcohol?

People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who have anxiety may misuse the drug to experiment with something new. This is why special care is required when treating the two conditions simultaneously. 

Those with polysubstance abuse are at risk of combining medications with alcohol despite knowing the harmful consequences. The trend of mixing medications with alcohol is common among individuals who want to experiment with newer substances.

Getting Help for Anxiety and AUD Simultaneously

Anxiety and substance use disorders can co-occur. Treating anxiety with AUD can be challenging but doable with the help of specialized dual-diagnosis treatment. The goals of dual diagnosis include:

• Treating mental health conditions alongside addiction
• Improving physical and mental health
• Educating patients about the best practices for them
• Instilling healthy coping mechanisms in patients

For this, choose a rehab like ChoicePoint that offers dual diagnosis treatment because traditional treatments are not enough for co-occurring disorders. For benzo addiction, you can get rehabilitation in the following settings:

• Inpatient Mental Health Rehab
• Outpatient Mental Health  rehab
• High-Intensity Outpatient Program (HIOP)
• Virtual Mental Health Treatment

Call ChoicePoint at 844.445.2565 or fill out this form to discuss personalized treatments with our addiction specialists. We also accept most state-funded and private insurance. 

Questions on Lorazepam and Alcohol

It is not uncommon to have pre-existing mental health conditions with addiction. However, to ensure safety, it is better to understand the interactions of the medication you are on. 

Can You Take Lorazepam if You Have Been Drinking?

Do not take lorazepam if you have been drinking. It is very dangerous because the combo can put you into deep sleep even when your breathing is slowed to a dangerously low level.

What Is the Lethal Dose of Lorazepam if Taken With Alcohol?

No amount is considered safe when it comes to mixing alcohol and lorazepam. Even one or two cups of alcohol can result in this. It depends on how one’s body reacts to the concoction.

Is 5MG of Lorazepam a Lot?

5mg of lorazepam may or may not be a lot, depending on your tolerance level and other health conditions. It is for your provider to decide. However, the highest dose for lorazepam is 10mg, so 5mg is generally considered the safe and normal amount.

Is Lorazepam a Narcotic?

No. Lorazepam is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety and sleep issues. While it is not a narcotic, there is still potential for abuse. Therefore, it should be used as prescribed. 

Is 10 MG of Ativan and Alcohol Dangerous?

Yes, 10 mg of Ativan (lorazepam) is a very high dose. It is the highest dose one can take in 24 hours. 

If I Took 0.5mg of Ativan 8 Hours Ago, Can I Have One or 2 Glasses of Wine and Be Okay?

0.5mg is a low dose of Ativan, but you should not mix it with alcohol since the latter can increase the sedative properties of lorazepam. 

Can Lorazepam Cause Depression?

One of the side effects of lorazepam is mood changes. These may be negative. Long-term sadness may contribute to depression. Inform your doctor these effects persist.

Can I Take Lorazepam Every Day?

You should take lorazepam as per your prescription. If the doctor has recommended taking lorazepam every day, you may take it. However, taking more than recommended can be problematic because:

• You will run out of medication sooner than you should
• The medication can be addictive
• It can worsen your condition rather than improve it

Sources

1. Terlizzi, E. P., & Norris, T. (2021, December 7). Products – Data Briefs – Number 419 – October 2021. www.cdc.gov.
   https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db419.htm
2. Perelló, M., Rio-Aigé, K., Rius, P., Bagaría, G., Jambrina, A. M., Montse Gironès, Pérez-Cano, F. J., & Rabanal, M. (2023). Changes in prescription drug abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic evidenced in the Catalan pharmacies. Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1116337
3. Ghiasi, N., Bhansali, R. K., & Marwaha, R. (2023, January 31). Lorazepam. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532890/
4. Assessing the role of benzodiazepines in US fatal overdoses | Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current evidence. (2022, August 19). © 2024 Boston University. https://www.bu.edu/aodhealth/2022/08/19/assessing-the-role-of-benzodiazepines-in-us-fatal-overdoses/