Table of contents:
- Effects of combining alcohol and clonazepam
- Treat alcohol addiction with clonazepam or other benzodiazepines
- Treatment for alcohol and clonazepam use
- How to treat addiction to clonazepam or alcohol
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The effects of mixing clonazepam and alcohol can be quite dangerous. Clonazepam is a drug classified as a benzodiazepine, which acts as a tranquilizer in the body. This drug also slows down 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 the effects of the mixed consumption of these two substances.
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- Rapid 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 disrupt communication between nerve cells, so those who consume alcohol in excess become uncoordinated, weak and slow. Like clonazepam, alcohol slows brain activity and also affects the areas of the brain that control judgment and speech. Like clonazepam, alcohol can create dependency.
Clonazepam has many side effects, and drinking alcohol while taking Clonazepam increases the intensity of these effects. For example, clonazepam slows down your breathing and heart rate.
Taking Clonazepam while drinking alcohol will cause your heart and breathing rate to drop very quickly, and this can cause fainting or loss of consciousness. Other side effects of Clonazepam include seizures and memory problems. Combining clonazepam with alcohol can lead to severe memory loss, and dramatically increases the likelihood of a seizure.
Because clonazepam is used to treat mental illness, it has the potential to worsen mental illness when consumed with alcohol. Also, because of the calming 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 in excess, 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 alcoholism), 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 out of alcohol.
However, it is extremely important for the doctor to carefully monitor the patient for signs of benzodiazepine addiction. These drugs carry their own risk of addiction and abuse. This can be particularly dangerous if the individual relapses and combines a prescription for clonazepam with alcohol consumption.
Treatment for alcohol and clonazepam use
Treatment for alcohol and clonazepam addiction addresses both addictions separately and together.
The 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 in the rehab center.
How to treat addiction to clonazepam or alcohol
Outpatient facilities allow you to stay at home while receiving treatment through counseling and support groups.
With hospital 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 addiction, as well as programs designed to treat other mental health disorders that you may have, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression. The length of treatment depends on the severity of the addiction to clonazepam and alcohol.
This article is merely informative, in 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.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I drink alcohol if I take clonazepam? , we recommend that you enter our category of Psychopharmaceuticals.