Mixing Xanax And Cocaine: Symptoms, Consequences, And Treatment

You might be tempted to mix Xanax and cocaine, thinking that Xanax can help you control the ‘high’ associated with cocaine use. However, Mixing Xanax and cocaine masks each other’s effect, leading to:

1. Increased risk of overdose 
2. Heart or cardiovascular complications 
3. Polysubstance addiction as both substances have abuse potential
4. Increased risk of co-occurring disorders

Learn the symptoms of Xanax and cocaine use, take an addiction self-evaluation test for assessment, and know the latest treatment strategies to stop using this combo once and for all. Contact ChoicePoint for help from DEA-certified practitioners and experts in treating dual disorders.

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Xanax is a depressant and belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. On the other hand, cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant. People often take Xanax to counteract the high associated with cocaine. Both these substances, even if abused separately, have fatal side effects.

If you mix these substances, you may experience:

1. Risk of overdose
2. High
3. Cognitive impairment
4. Headache 
5. Depression
6. Heart diseases such as increased heart rate and blood pressure
7. Heighten irritability
8. Paranoia
9. Restlessness
10. Worsening of mental health conditions

The effect also depends on which drug was taken in more doses. If the cocaine dose exceeds Xanax, you may experience more alertness and euphoria. In case of overdose, it may lead to hallucinations, paranoia, irrationality, and violent behavior. 

Furthermore, Xanax lasts longer in the body than cocaine, so side effects of Xanax overuse, such as dizziness and slower response, will linger in the body.

Can You Die From Taking Too Much Xanax And Cocaine?

Yes, death from taking Xanax and Cocaine is possible. Taking too much of this drug can cause an overdose, which may result in the following:

1. Shallow breathing
2. Unconsciousness
3. Death

How Does Cocaine And Xanax Interact?

The exact mechanism by which cocaine and Xanax interact is not known. But, Cocaine being a stimulant and Xanax being a depressant does not cancel each other’s effect. They are metabolized through different pathways. 

Taking both these drugs together is known to cause a series of reactions that can have fatal side consequences. 

Facts About Xanax & Cocaine. Why Treatment is a Must!

Long-Term Consequences Of Mixing Xanax With Cocaine

Cocaine is a mind-altering drug. Both Xanax and cocaine significantly impact the normal function of the body, leading to the following:

Number 1: Drug Overdose: Why Risk Of Overdose Is Greater In Polysubstance Abuse?

Cocaine is often mixed or cut with various dangerous substances, enabling the dealers to sell at a higher volume, leading to more profits. Cutting agents usually include:

1. Fentanyl (100 times more potent than Morphine)
2. Anesthetics
3. Amphetamines.

The buyer does not know the cutting agents used. If you are using cocaine cut with anesthetics or analgesics and you further mix it with a depressant, the results are catastrophic, and an overdose might be inevitable.

The signs of cocaine and Xanax overdose include:

1. Breathing difficulty
2. Shaking
3. Confusion
4. Passing out
5. Heart attack
6. Stroke
7. Death

Number 2: Side-Effects Of Polysubstance Abuse On Physical Health 

The biggest side effect of cocaine addiction is on the heart. Cocaine addiction can lead to adverse physical side effects such as:

1. Coronary artery vasoconstriction: A condition in which the diameter of the heart vessels is reduced
2. Atherosclerotic phenomena: Build up of plaque inside the arteries 
3. Thrombus formation: Blood clot formation inside the vessels or heart 
4. Heart attack 
5. Heart failure

Side effects of long-term use of Xanax are:

1. Being forgetful
2. Difficulty with coordination
3. Lack of appetite
4. Fatigue
5. Slurred speech
6. Poor mental health 
7. Agitation

Number 3: Mental Health And Co-Occurring Disorders 

Xanax is originally prescribed to reduce panic attacks. However, long-term use is associated with poor mental health. Some long-term effects on mental health are:

1. Depression
2. Confusion
3. Cognitive impairment
4. Insomnia
5. Suicidal ideation

Moreover, cocaine is also linked with serious mental health disorders such as:

1. Paranoia
2. Violent behavior
3. Homicide
4. Suicide
5. Depression

If you are suffering from addiction and you are diagnosed with mental health issues, then the formal term used is dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is a serious and common side effect of polysubstance addiction and requires timely intervention for treatment.

Number 4: Cross-Tolerance, Dependency, and Addiction

A major side effect of long-term use of Xanax and cocaine is developing cross-tolerance, dependency, and addiction.

Tolerance: Tolerance occurs when the effect of the initial dose diminishes and more dose to required to produce the same effects.

Cross Tolerance: Cross tolerance occurs when one drug’s effect produces tolerance to another drug. 

Addiction: Addiction is a chronic disease. It occurs when you can’t stop using the substance despite knowing its physical, social, and psychological side effects.

Find Out If You Are Suffering From Addiction In Less Than 5 Minutes!

A great and quick way to find out if you are suffering from addiction is through self-evaluation addiction treatment tests. Feel free to share the test with your friends and family If you suspect they are suffering from addiction.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Let’s Talk About Your Recovery Options! 

Addiction is treatable. All you have to do is gather the courage to ask for help, commit to the program, and trust the treatment process. Usually, the plan of action includes the following treatments:

Recovery Step 1# Detox Program And Maintainance Programs 

While there are tons of drug detox options available, a medical detox is the best approach to addiction treatment. When you start to withdraw from cocaine or Xanax detox, you may feel some uncomfortable symptoms known as withdrawal symptoms. A medical detox will help to manage these withdrawal symptoms:

1. Cravings
2. Fatigue
3. Muscle aches and pain
4. Irritability
5. Difficulty sleeping
6. Hallucinations
7. Cognitive changes
8. Insomnia

For polysubstance abuse recovery, you may be recommended:

1. Counseling: Guide you step-by-step on how to withdraw from cocaine
2. Tapering off plan: Your Xanax dose will gradually be reduced to help you wean off with minimal withdrawal symptoms
3. Recovery maintenance program: You may be given medication along with behavioral therapy to maintain sobriety
4. Aftercare: You will work with our clinical staff to create a custom relapse prevention program to seal the recovery deal.

Recovery Step 2# Mental Health Improvement 

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you feel low, depressed, lonely, and do not have any desire for productivity, chances are you are suffering from a mental health condition. It is important to get an evaluation.

If you are suffering from mental health consequences of mixing cocaine and Xanax, your counselor may recommend a therapy program which usually includes:

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
3. Individual Therapy
4. Group Therapy 
5. Family Therapy

Recovery Step 3# Dual Diagnosis Treatment 

Dual diagnosis is a combination of mental health and addiction problems. According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), 7.7 million adults suffer from co-occurring mental health and addiction problems. An even more problematic fact is that 52.5% of these individuals did not receive mental health or addiction problems. 

A dual diagnosis is treated just like every other condition. However, special emphasis is placed on creating custom plans for your unique diagnosis. For example, if you are diagnosed with paranoia and polysubstance addiction, you may be recommended behavioral therapy along with medication-assisted treatment.

Begin Your Sobriety Journey Today With ChoicePoint In Fairlawn, New Jersey!

Don’t let the past steal your present – Terri Guillemets 

Suffering from addiction may seem like the end of the world. Let us reassure you that your life does not end here. Addiction treatment is the start of a new beginning. ChoicePoint has an exceptional team of licensed doctors, nurses, and top-of-the-field counselors. We stand out because we provide the following:

1. An option to choose between inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth addiction treatment programs.
2. All aspects of recovery, including therapy, counseling, and treatments, are present on one platform.
3. Most insurance accepted, including Tricare, Medicare, and Medicaid

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Our Doctors Answering Your Most Asked Questions

Read answers to the most asked questions by our clients:

Can I Take Xanax After Cocaine To Reduce The Euphoria?

No, both Xanax and Cocaine are processed differently in the body. If you take both of these substances, you may:

1. Develop an addiction
2. Increase the risk of overdose
3. Experience amplified negative side effects

How To Pass A Drug Test For Cocaine And Xanax?

While many at-home detox kits are advertised to deliver sober results, there is no scientific research backing them. A safe way to pass the drug test is a medical detox under the supervision of licensed medical staff.

Is It OK to Mix Low Dose Xanax And Cocaine?

Neither taking Xanax (without a doctor’s advice) nor taking Cocaine is recommended at any dose. Taking these drugs alone or mixed can have negative side effects such as:

1. Heart problems
2. Addiction
3. Poor mental health
4. Poor reasoning and memory
5. Risk of overdose

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Xanax And Cocaine?

Detox from Xanax and cocaine usually takes 2-4 weeks. The withdrawal symptoms begin after 8-12 hours and may peak during 2-4 days. After a week, symptoms begin to decrease. However, protracted withdrawal, also known as prolonged withdrawal symptoms, may last for a month. 

Sources

1. Effects of alprazolam on intravenous cocaine self-administration in rats, Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8446681
2. Kang, M. (2023) Benzodiazepine toxicity, StatPearls [Internet]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238
3.  Alprazolam is relatively more toxic than other benzodiazepines in overdose, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884537
4. Cocaine toxicity, StatPearls [Internet]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430976
5. Cocaine (2024) National Institutes of Health. Available at: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine