Its sedative and relaxing effects on neurotransmitters can make those with severe anxiety or stress reliant on it. Another factor that increases the likelihood of addiction is the length of time you take it. It will, of course, be easier to wean off if you have a support structure in place, such as therapy. One of the most uncomfortable and all-encompassing side effects of alcohol withdrawal is anxiety. Increased anxiety, agitation, and nervousness may result from neurotransmitter imbalances that occur as the brain readjusts to life without alcohol.
Possible outcomes include irreparable liver damage, addiction, and overdose. Alcohol also interacts with GABA and depresses activity in the central nervous system. As such, since Librium and alcohol have a similar mechanism of action, combining them can overwhelm the body how to talk to an alcoholic in denial and lead to severe side effects, including toxicity and death. When you commit to a professional, medically supervised detox, your team of doctors will know how to best treat you as an individual in a way that’s safe and effective. They will create and guide a treatment plan that’s built for your unique situation. There are other benzodiazepines that are used to treat alcohol withdrawal, but Librium is preferred because of its long half-life of 24–48 hours.
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. If you or someone you know is addicted to Librium and alcohol, help is only a phone call away. A toll-free, national helpline is your first step toward getting the support you need.
What Are the Dangers of Mixing Librium With Alcohol?
This can cause an overdose much faster than taking these substances individually. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. Family members may notice side effects like new or worsening anxiety disorders, paranoia, insomnia, and loss of appetite. The dangers of mixing Librium and alcohol are so prevalent that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alcohol and mirtazapine issued an official warning about combining the two substances. In most cases, this entails taking Librium in amounts ranging from 20 mg to 40 mg at regular intervals throughout the day. Despite the therapeutic benefits of Librium, you can develop a tolerance to it, making it potentially addictive.
- Although alcohol is legal throughout the United States, alcohol abuse represents a significant national health problem.
- One of the major dangers of using Librium with alcohol is the development of respiratory depression, which may be fatal if left untreated.
- Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.
- Librium is a powerful prescription benzodiazepine drug most commonly used to treat anxiety and manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What Are The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Librium?
Patients benefit from medical direction and supervision at all stages of treatment and recovery. There are a number of mental health disorders that often coincide with alcohol or substance use disorders. If you need help finding treatment for your specific needs, contact Alcohol Awareness today. We understand the complexities of dual diagnoses and partner with a wide range of treatment providers. When people who regularly drink alcohol suddenly cut down or stop drinking altogether, they enter a complicated psychological and physiological process known as alcohol withdrawal.
Common Side Effects of Librium
Librium, being a benzodiazepine, works by increasing the levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). By decreasing neuronal excitability and increasing GABAergic activity, the CNS can relax, which has sedative, muscle-relaxing, and anxiolytic effects. For those addicted to Librium and alcohol, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Like most powerful medicines, chlordiazepoxide can cause allergic reactions in addition to undesirable symptoms. There are many side effects that are the direct result of mixing Librium and alcohol. Symptoms and side effects can be physical, psychological, and behavioral. Side effects range in severity and can be further broken down into short-term and long-term side effects. No matter why a person mixes Librium with alcohol, celebrities who drink every night it is a type of substance misuse that can rapidly lead to addiction.
When Librium users mix this drug with other powerful depressants like alcohol, heart rate and breathing can be negatively affected. Patients may experience drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty in breathing for extended periods of time. If they continue drinking, or their body absorbs more alcohol that is already in their system, their case may be severe; they may lapse into coma and death.