Mixing Ativan & Alcohol | Effects & Dangers

Lorazepam, or the brand-name Ativan, is a benzodiazepine used for the treatment of a variety of health issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and insomnia. Those who suffer from epilepsy or mental illness will sometimes be prescribed Ativan to help ease their symptoms.

Mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol, including Ativan, Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam), can cause disastrous results to your physical and mental health. 

Mixing CNS Depressants

Benzodiazepines work by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The GABA chemical lessens the activity in the brain, causing calmness and sedation depending on the dosage administered.

Both lorazepam and alcohol are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. On their own, depressant substances slow down activity in the brain and cause sedation. Together, effects like sedation, impaired cognition, and slow breathing can increase.

Combining two CNS depressants can be life-threatening and could result in a trip to the emergency department.

Effects Of Combining Ativan & Alcohol

When you combine Ativan and alcohol, numerous side effects can occur. In fact, Ativan by itself can cause effects including fatigue, impaired coordination, and drowsiness. 

When drinking alcohol on Ativan, you increase the risk of an accidental overdose. Other side effects of mixing Ativan and alcohol may include:

• dizziness
• blackouts
• respiratory depression
• drowsiness
• memory problems
• fluctuations in heart rate
• slowed breathing
• impaired motor control

Dangers Of Mixing Alcohol & Ativan

Along with an increase in side effects related to sedation, combining Ativan and alcohol can also lead to dangerous problems. For instance, polysubstance use (or substance abuse that includes using both Ativan and alcohol) can result in death if a fatal overdose occurs.

Mental Health Problems

Abusing alcohol with Ativan can not only increase depressant-like effects like slowed breathing and sedation, but can also lead to mental health issues like mood changes, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. 

Overdose

Both alcohol and Ativan can cause side effects on their own. Together, they cause even more serious issues that could lead to dangerously slowed breathing and overdose. 

This is largely because both are CNS depressants. When combined, the risk of overdose is increased for both substances, either together or on their own. Heavy drinking and drug abuse that includes high doses of Ativan increase this risk.

The problems that occur can be exaggerated and can change from person to person due to several factors such as:

• a previous history of mental illness
• how much alcohol and Ativan are used
• the frequency of Ativan and alcohol use
• genetic makeup
• a history of drug abuse
• ​the rate of alcohol consumption

Treating Benzodiazepine & Alcohol Abuse

If you or a loved one live with addiction, our healthcare professionals are here to help you every step of the way. We offer detox and withdrawal support services, as well as treatment programs that include group therapy and other treatment options.

Whether you’re dealing with alcohol withdrawal symptoms or benzodiazepine dependence, we have multidisciplinary staff to help address polysubstance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. 

To learn more about our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for substance use disorder, please call our hotline today.