The Dangers of Mixing Heroin and Xanax

Heroin is an illicit opioid that causes a rush of euphoria, slowed breathing, drowsiness, and a decreased heart rate. It can be smoked, snorted, and injected intravenously. Any method of abusing heroin can lead to an opioid overdose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 5,871 drug overdoses involving heroin in 2022.[1]

Another common drug of abuse is Xanax. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks.[2] When abused, it can cause a rush of euphoria, feelings of calmness, and dizziness or drowsiness.

If you engage in substance abuse, you might be tempted to mix heroin and Xanax to experience a more intense high. Unfortunately, combining these drugs can lead to increased adverse effects, addiction, and potentially fatal overdoses.

In this article, you will learn:

• What heroin is
• What Xanax is
• What are the risks of mixing Xanax and heroin

What is Heroin?

Heroin is an illegal opioid drug that can lead to mind-altering effects like euphoria. It can also cause dangerous physical symptoms like decreased heart rate, slowed or stopped breathing, and lowered blood pressure. It causes these effects by attaching to opioid receptors in your brain.

Heroin belongs to a class of drugs called central nervous system depressants. It causes the activity in your brain to slow down. When you consume heroin, you could experience respiratory depression, a condition that causes slowed or stopped breathing, low oxygen levels, and in some cases, brain damage.

Even using heroin short-term could lead to an addiction. It has a high potential for causing substance use disorders, making it important that you seek support from a drug rehab center if you misuse it.

What is Xanax (Alprazolam)?

Xanax is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine known as alprazolam. Medical professionals prescribe it to treat anxiety and panic attacks. That said, it is only intended for short-term or occasional use because of its potential for abuse and addiction.

Because Xanax is a prescription drug, you might think it is safe to abuse. It can cause mind-altering effects like a rush of euphoria, overwhelming feelings of calmness, dizziness, drowsiness, and more. Even though it is a prescription medication, abusing Xanax can increase your risk of overdose.

If you have been taking it long-term, you should never abruptly stop taking Xanax. Your body will develop a physical dependence, which means stopping it will result in withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, Xanax withdrawal can be life-threatening, sometimes leading to seizures.

You should always seek help from a medical detox center before quitting Xanax. These programs can help you rid your body of the substance while providing medications to lessen withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

What are the Risks of Mixing Xanax and Heroin?

Xanax and heroin are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Mixing them can lead to increased side effects, long-term addiction, and life-threatening overdoses.

Increased Adverse Effects

When you combine heroin and Xanax, the side effects of each drug will become more pronounced. Because they both slow down activity in your brain and body, you could experience slowed breathing, a decreased heart rate, low blood pressure, and worsened symptoms of mental health conditions.

Addiction

Both drugs are known to cause addiction when abused. If you combine them, the mind-altering effects are more potent, making it easier to develop an addiction.

The signs of Xanax and heroin addiction include:

• Having a hard time controlling how much you use
• Wanting to quit heroin and Xanax but being unsuccessful
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Isolating from friends and loved ones
• Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work because of heroin and Xanax abuse
• Continuing to use heroin and Xanax even though they are causing adverse physical, mental, and social effects
• Experiencing urges and cravings to abuse Xanax and heroin
• Needing to increase the dose of each drug to experience the desired effect
• Dealing with withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Xanax and heroin

While Xanax and heroin addiction can be difficult to overcome, drug rehab programs can make the recovery process easier. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer evidence-based addiction treatment to ensure you get the best shot at long-term sobriety possible.

Overdose

Lastly, combining heroin and Xanax increases your risk of overdosing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “In 2021, nearly 14% of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines.”[3]

The signs of an overdose might include:

• Extreme drowsiness
• Confusion
• Coordination issues and poor reflexes
• Pinpointed pupils
• Respiratory depression (i.e. slowed or stopped breathing)
• Blue tint to lips or fingernails
• Choking or gurgling noises
• Coma and death

If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose, contact 911 immediately. You must mention they have taken both drugs, as Xanax toxicity will not respond to Narcan in the way that heroin does. Medical professionals need to use other treatment methods to prevent this type of overdose from becoming fatal.

Find Help for Heroin and Xanax Abuse

If you are addicted to heroin and Xanax, it’s time to consider attending an addiction treatment program. Rehab facilities like the Mandala Healing Center can provide you with the tools and support you need to live a substance-free life.

Contact us today for more information on our addiction treatment program.

References:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Drug Overdoses
2. Medline Plus: Alprazolam
3. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Benzodiazepines and Opioids