Mixing Valium with alcohol

What are the effects of mixing Valium and alcohol? Is Valium overdose possible? Mixing Valium with alcohol effects and risks here.

3
minute read

Are you thinking about mixing Valium with alcohol?

You need to know the risks and dangers before you decide to mix Valium with alcohol. What happens in your body when you mix Valium with alcohol? What exactly can go wrong?  Can you die from Valium? We review mixing these two depressants here and invite you to ask questions about mixing Valium and alcohol in the comments, at the end.

Valium and alcohol effects

Valium is a benzodiazipine that contains the active ingredient diazepam. How long Valium stays in the body is relative to the long half life of 20-80 hours that it takes for diazepam to metabolize.  As a central nervous system depressant, Valium can cause feelings of relaxation and sometimes euphoria in people. Because of Valium get high and euphoric effect, some people try to enhance the feeling of getting high on Valium by mixing it with alcohol. In self-reported examples, Valium can cause the following effects when mixed with alcohol:

  • dizziness or drowsiness
  • feeling of well-being or euphoria
  • lack of coordination
  • memory problems
  • unusual behavior

Despite some of the pleasant and euphoric feelings from this combination, it’s dangerous to mix Valium with alcohol. The alcohol chemically reacts with the Valium in your system and has an additive effect in the body and brain. That means that the effects of the alcohol and Valium both are intensified. This is dangerous and cause overdose or death.

Mixing diazepam (Valium) and alcohol can take its toll on your health, relationships, and financial stability. But, addiction on both substances can be managed safely and successfully in controlled medical conditions at a rehab center. Find out more about the treatment process and available options in our comprehensive outline of Valium addiction treatment programs and learn how to get help.

Dangers of mixing Valium and alcohol

Dangerous side effects can result when you mix Valium and alcohol. This is mainly because mixing alcohol and Valium can intensify the effects of both drugs. First, Valium heightens the intoxication you experience from alcohol. This is potentially deadly, since you may not be able to safely drink the same amount you would normally be able to drink. Alcohol poisoning is a real possibility. Some other potentially dangerous effects of mixing Valium with alcohol include:

  • alcohol poisoning
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • loss of consciousness
  • shallow breathing
  • impaired coordination
  • memory problems
  • overdose

But it’s not just the Valium you need to worry about. Valium can enhance the effects of alcohol as well. Alcohol is a sedative which causes sleepiness, drowsiness, and lightheadedness. Drinking and using Valium can cause even more trouble concentrating and difficulty with coordination than just drinking alcohol alone. This can put you at risk of accidents, especially if you drive or operate machinery.

Valium and alcohol overdose

Your risk of overdose on Valium directly increases when Valium (diazepam) is taken with alcohol. Doctors never recommend mixing the two. Not even if you’re only having one or two drinks, or if you’re taking a normal therapeutic dose of Valium.

Valium and alcohol deaths

Alcohol is an incredibly common drug that is mixed with Valium. But to be clear, this sort of combination can cause death. Even normal doses of Valium are dangerous to take with alcohol. If you abuse Valium (snort, inject or take Valium other than prescribed) or take more than a normal prescription dose, you might overdose. You might even die, either from an overdose or from an accident caused by your impaired judgment and coordination. The only way to avoid these risks is to decide NOT TO DRINK while on Valium.

 

Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is always confidential.

 

Is it safe to drink on Valium?

It’s never safe to drink while on Valium. The combination of alcohol and diazepam in the body enhances the most dangerous effects of both drugs. You can ask your prescribing doctor for more information on drinking safely if you’re taking Valium regularly. But the FDA warns against mixing the two at all.

Mixing Valium alcohol questions

Do you still have questions about mixing Valium with alcohol or other substances? Please leave your Valium questions here. We try our best to answer all questions personally, and promptly. And if we don’t know the answer, we will refer you to someone who can help. Your experiences with mixing Valium and alcohol are also welcome.

Reference Sources: NIAAA pamphlet: Harmful Interactions, Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
PubMed Health: Diazepam
NHTSA: Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets: Diazepam
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
I am ready to call
i Who Answers?