xanax-and-cocaine

Risks of Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

While some people enjoy the high and buzz that a drug can provide, others prefer to feel mellow and relaxed. However, there are some people who enjoy both and mix various substances to chase the feeling that they want at the time. 

Recently, there’s been a rise in the number of people mixing Xanax and cocaine. These two drugs offer very different feelings. Cocaine is a stimulant while Xanax is a sedative. Some are mixing cocaine and Xanax to come down from the high more smoothly. 

However, mixing cocaine and Xanax can bring out the worst side effects in both drugs and present a real danger to the user. Discover the effects and dangers of the combination of cocaine and Xanax. 

What Is Xanax? 

Xanax is a depressant in the family of benzodiazepines, and it’s commonly prescribed by a doctor to alleviate a variety of medical conditions, such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Panic disorders
  • Seizures
  • And others

Xanax helps a person feel calmer or more relaxed by reducing nerve activity, which makes it a great option for someone struggling with anxiety or who needs help falling asleep. When prescribed by a doctor and used correctly, Xanax can be a useful medication for the user. 

However, it isn’t uncommon for people to take Xanax when it isn’t prescribed for them. In the United States, there’s a growing number of adults who misuse Xanax and other benzodiazepines, which is leading to a rising number of overdoses. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction? 

As with any other depressant, a person can become addicted to Xanax, especially if they’re misusing the medication or buying it without a prescription. There are clear signs and symptoms of using and being addicted to Xanax, such as:

  • Withdrawal symptoms when the person doesn’t take Xanax, such as:
    • A rise in blood pressure
    • Uncontrolled shaking
    • Hallucinations
    • Rapid heartbeat
    • Sweating
    • Seizures
    • Irritability
  • Signs while under the influence of Xanax include:
    • Lower blood pressure and heart rate
    • Dizziness
    • Instances of forgetfulness
    • Depression
    • Isolation
    • Hampered coordination
    • Slower breathing
    • Periods of disorientation and confusion
    • Slurred speech
    • Unable to perform routine activities

When a person crosses the threshold of required medication into an addiction to Xanax, they need to seek help. 

What Is Cocaine? 

Cocaine, commonly called coke, is a stimulant that brings the user feelings of euphoria and extra energy. It’s commonly found as a white or yellowish powder, which is snorted. Sometimes, a person processes coke by rubbing it on their gums or adding it to a liquid to inject it into the body. 

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. In the United States, cocaine is illegal to possess and use. In the 1970s and 1980s, cocaine rose in popularity and became a symbol of wealth and making it. 

Most people who use cocaine enjoy a pleasant euphoric feeling, but the drug can produce unwelcome effects, such as paranoia and hallucinations. As a stimulant, coke can lead to unexpected heart issues, leading to unexpected death. 

What Are the Effects of Cocaine? 

While cocaine is a stimulant, it does more than making a person feel hyper or euphoric. Some common signs and symptoms of coke use include:

  • Uncontrollable twitching of the muscles
  • Increased alertness
  • Vertigo and dizziness
  • Excess energy
  • Tremors in various areas
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Extreme anxiety and paranoia
  • Rapid breathing
  • Excessive irritability
  • Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
  • Violent and erratic behavior
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased body temperature

When someone uses coke, the effects begin quickly. However, the addiction to coke can be just as quick. Cocaine presents a clear danger to a person’s health and can lead to accidental death. 

What Are the Effects of Mixing Cocaine and Xanax? 

Sometimes a person will take Xanax to make the exit from the cocaine high smoother, and it’s becoming more popular among drug users. However, while cocaine and Xanax display different effects when they combine with each other, it can create unexpected results. 

When a person takes these two drugs together, they don’t simply eliminate the effects of each other even though the drugs are designed to do the opposite of each other. The combination of cocaine and Xanax can lead to health issues and overdose deaths.

Also, the person is combining two highly-addictive drugs and building a new dependency. This person needs to seek immediate help to overcome their addiction and rebuild their life. 

Common Treatments for an Addiction to Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

When someone believes that they have an addiction from mixing cocaine and Xanax, they need to seek immediate treatment. Since there are serious health risks involved with this type of addiction, the person might consider starting with their personal doctor. 

In many cases, due to the extreme withdrawal symptoms, the person might need to be placed in an in-patient facility. This is so doctors and other professionals can ensure that they withdraw from the cocaine and Xanax safely. 

With the drug out of their systems, the next step of treatment involves therapy. This therapy can be done on an in-patient or out-patient basis, although most people start therapy on an in-patient basis to protect them from outside influences as they recover. 

During the therapy phase, the patient and doctor might discover that there are underlying conditions to their addiction. These conditions are addressed to help the person recover fully. 

How to Get Help for an Addiction to Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

When a person needs help with an addiction to mixing cocaine and Xanax, it always starts by asking for help. The person can start by asking a doctor or therapist for help. It’s also possible for the person struggling with addiction to check themselves into a recovery center for detox and therapy. 

Treatment for Mixing Cocaine and Xanax

At Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center, our team has years of experience helping people overcome their addiction to mixing cocaine and Xanax. We offer care, compassion, and success at a time when a person needs it the most. Reach out to us today for help!

Clinically Reviewed By

Dawn Masick, LMFT

Dawn has experience dealing with various relational, emotional, and psychological struggles. Dawn’s training has prepared her to work with children, teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families. She has undergone training in DBT, TF-CBT, and Family Therapy.  Other competencies include dealing with ADHD, mood/anxiety disorders, parenting challenges, addiction, PTSD, co- dependency, and relationship issues. I have experience in residential, school-based mental health, children’s community mental health, victims of crime (VOC), and private practice settings.

Dawn has been committed to guiding clients through their trauma, coming alongside them in their healing, and supporting them as they navigate life changes. Dawn’s passion is working with clients struggling with trauma in substance abuse and mental health.