In this article, I’m going to educate you on the subject of mixing hydrocodone and Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and other benzos. Taking hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos together is not good for your health. Additionally, this combination can even have serious negative consequences, including overdose and death.
My goal with this post is to inform you on what the combination of hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos does in your body, and why this mixture is not recommended by doctors, addiction therapists, nor me.
Many things are fine to mix with hydrocodone. However, Xanax and other benzos are not some of them. Why is it a bad idea to mix hydrocodone and Xanax?
Let’s talk about this…shall we?
Table of Contents
Hydrocodone and Xanax – Hydrocodone Overview
Hydrocodone is a prescription opiate painkiller. Opiates are drugs that are derived from the opium poppy plant. Despite all of the associated negative aspects (addiction, overdose, crime, etc.), hydrocodone still has a positive intent. Hydrocodone is commonly prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
Hydrocodone attaches to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are located on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, GI tract, and other organs.
Once hydrocodone attaches to the opioid receptors, the hydrocodone effects come on, which include, but are not limited to:
- Pain Relief
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Nausea
Hydrocodone and Xanax – Xanax Overview
Alprazolam (sold under the brand name Xanax) is a potent, short-acting benzodiazepine anxiolytic (a minor tranquilizer). Xanax effects include anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, hypnotic and amnesic; however, it is used mainly as an anxiolytic.
Hydrocodone and Xanax – Dangers of Mixing Hydrocodone and Benzos
Hydrocodone and Xanax are not recommended to be taken together because the combination can be deadly. Many people have died from taking hydrocodone and Xanax together.
Here is a bullet-point breakdown of the problem with this mixture:
- For starters, both types of drugs are central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
- Hydrocodone is a powerful opiate.
- Alone, both hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos have the ability to cause significant respiratory depression. Used together, this combination results in synergy.
- Hydrocodone/benzo synergy is when the combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects of these two CNS depressants.
When you combine two CNS depressants, in this case, hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos, this significantly increases the chances of respiratory depression and can ultimately lead to death from your body not breathing anymore.
Hydrocodone and Xanax – Key Concepts
Now that you’ve been educated on the potential negative health consequences of mixing hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos, I hope you’ll stay away from Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, and other benzos while you’re on this medication.
You only have one body, so treat it well.
The following key concepts will help you stay healthy on hydrocodone:
- Avoid the combination of hydrocodone and Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, or other benzos.
- Avoid all other CNS depressants (such as alcohol) while taking hydrocodone.
- Drink at least 4-5 liters of water a day or more.
- If you drink soda, cut that out too or at least limit it to no more than 1-2 sodas a week.
- Focus on eating primarily organic whole foods, and eliminate or limit processed and refined foods.
- Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep or more per night on a regular basis.
- Exercise at least 3-4 days a week or more, using a combination of cardio, strength-training, and stretching.
As a former substance abuse counselor at an Opiate Treatment Program (OTP) and a current Opiate Recovery Coach, I’ve always been outspoken about the potential dangers of mixing hydrocodone or other opioids with other CNS depressants.
The synergy is real, and thus it’s really not worth the risk.
If you have any comments or questions about the topic of mixing hydrocodone and Xanax or other benzos, please post them in the comment box below. Be safe, and take care of yourself.
I get really bad muscles pulling.my arms and leg muscles are all several restless
hae you tried gabapentin? its the only thing that helps my restless legs.
My doctor has had me on xanax 2mg at bedtime for 22 years. I have wanted off them for years but when I asked him he told me I will need to be on them the rest of my life. NOW suddenly since the govt cracked down on opiods now they are going after benzos. So, this doctor failed to go by the literature from the drug makers saying TWO WEEKS MAX and I never saw the literature until now. He said he is taking me off and I will be tapered down and off ALL IN ONE MONTH. So, wait which is it I need them for life or I need off in less than a month which is basically a cold turkey and dangerous (he doesn’t believe this). I am so scared I don’t know what to do. The .5mg cut I made I am 15 days out from that and feeling awful and like death. He doesn’t know I had a few extra pill bottles left when I have been sick from cdiff (still have it) and could not keep pills or anything down. Going to another doctor is not an option as they are all afraid to take on another doctors MESS. I feel I am going to die from his stupidity.