The Dangers Of Mixing Cocaine And Benzodiazepines

Many people abuse drugs together, hoping to achieve a more enhanced high. However, polydrug abuse can cause even more dangerous side effects than when abusing a single drug.

Mixing cocaine and benzodiazepines can be particularly dangerous as the drugs have opposing effects. Individuals who have loved ones struggling with cocaine or benzodiazepine abuse should learn what happens when you mix these two substances.

The Side Effects Of Mixing Cocaine And Benzodiazepines

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that creates an instant flood of energy, strength, and elevated mood, but these sensations are short-lived since the drug doesn’t last long in the body. People addicted to cocaine often use more and more to maintain the high, which leads to dangerous side effects. Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are prescription medications commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks by calming the central nervous system.

When abused, benzodiazepines produce their own set of harmful effects. Combining these two opposite types of drugs, a stimulant and a depressant, creates an especially dangerous situation where the side effects of both substances are intensified.

Side effects of mixing cocaine and benzodiazepines include:

• tremors and muscle control problems
• dangerously high blood pressure
• profuse sweating
• nausea and vomiting
• rapid heart rate (tachycardia) combined with slowed breathing
• severe confusion and disorientation
• psychosis and hallucinations
• extreme fatigue or hyperactivity
• reduced respiratory rate that can lead to breathing failure
• loss of muscle coordination and inability to control movements
• fainting or loss of consciousness
• increased risk of overdose from either or both substances
• unpredictable reactions as stimulant and depressant effects conflict in the body

The severity of side effects depends on several factors including the purity of the drugs (cocaine is often cut with other dangerous substances), the amounts taken, the person’s tolerance level, their mood and mental state, and the environment where they’re using.

Because these drugs work against each other, one speeding up the body while the other slows it down, mixing them puts enormous strain on the heart, brain, and respiratory system, significantly increasing the risk of life-threatening complications.

Can You Overdose When Mixing Cocaine And Benzodiazepines?

One of the most serious dangers of mixing cocaine and benzodiazepines is that a person can easily overdose. This usually happens because cocaine only lasts for a short time in the body. A person who is addicted to the substance may take more of it to ensure the effects do not wear off too soon, leading to withdrawal side effects.

The benzodiazepines stay in the system for a longer period of time than cocaine. Benzodiazepines cause fatigue and drowsiness that can increase the withdrawal effects of cocaine. Sometimes, individuals addicted to cocaine use benzodiazepines in an attempt to relieve some of their withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, tremors, and insomnia.

However, when taking benzodiazepines with cocaine, overdose can occur if too high a dose of benzos are taken, especially if the person has no tolerance to the drugs.

Common Cocaine And Benzo Drug Combinations

There are a variety of benzodiazepine drugs available that have the potential for abuse that can be mixed with cocaine.

Benzodiazepine drugs that are commonly mixed with cocaine include:

• Xanax and Cocaine
• Klonopin and Cocaine
• Valium and Cocaine
• Ativan and Cocaine

Treatment For Cocaine And Benzodiazepine Abuse And Addiction

Due to the serious dangers of mixing cocaine and benzodiazepines, people addicted to these substances need professional addiction treatment immediately. Polydrug abuse creates complex physical and psychological dependence that requires specialized care to address safely and effectively.

Both cocaine and benzodiazepines alter important brain chemicals like dopamine and GABA, affecting mood and the brain’s reward center, which increases relapse risk and makes treatment essential.

Treatment options for cocaine and benzodiazepine addiction:

• medical detoxification in a supervised facility to safely remove drugs from the body
• 24/7 monitoring during withdrawal to prevent life-threatening complications like seizures
• medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and manage discomfort
• residential treatment for intensive care in a structured environment
• individual therapy to address underlying causes of addiction
• group therapy for peer support and shared experiences
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change harmful thought patterns
• dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
• family therapy to repair relationships and build support systems
• medication management to address chemical imbalances in the brain
• life skills training and coping strategies for stress management
• aftercare planning including outpatient counseling and support groups
• sober living homes for transitional support after treatment
• alumni programs and ongoing check-ins with addiction specialists

Well-rounded treatment that addresses physical health, mental health, relationships, and life skills gives people the best chance at lasting recovery from polydrug addiction.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff