While mixing two different drugs is always a bad idea, the practice is very common amongst those who struggle with substance abuse disorders. Some will mix prescription painkillers with alcohol, others will mix cocaine with heroin… no matter what two chemical substances are being combined, the risk of overdose and other serious health-related complications always increase. Recently, individuals have been mixing opiates with Xanax. Some commonly abused opiates include heroin, prescription painkillers, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Xanax is a potent prescription sedative, typically prescribed to treat severe anxiety-related disorders. Because both of the drugs have sedative effects and because both opiates and Xanax can lead to respiratory depression, mixing the two is exceptionally dangerous – and often fatal. If you or someone close to you has been struggling with polydrug abuse, please reach out to Evoke Wellness at Miramar today. We provide comprehensive care to those who have been engaging in risky and potentially life-threatening behaviors (like mixing opiates with Xanax) and are looking for long-term, individualized care. 
More on Opiate Addiction
Many opiates can be legally obtained through a prescription, and others – like heroin – have always been illegal. Prescription opiates include medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and fentanyl. Recently, drug dealers have been cutting heroin with fentanyl to increase its potency and street value. Unfortunately, because this synthetic opioid is so potent, this has led to a drastically increased number of overdose-related deaths within the past several years. Opiate addiction is very common and completely devastating and has led to what is now known as both a national public health emergency and a countrywide epidemic. Many individuals who obtain painkiller prescriptions to treat short-term pain or chronic pain will end up abusing them, seeing as these drugs tend to be so incredibly habit-forming. Eventually, the prescription runs out, and purchasing painkillers on the streets is far more difficult than purchasing a less expensive and more readily available alternative – heroin. Heroin abuse and addiction is now a major national concern and has led to thousands of untimely and unnecessary deaths.
More on Xanax Abuse
Xanax is a potent benzodiazepine, one that is generally only prescribed in the case of moderate to severe anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder. Because this specific drug is so addictive, medical professionals will generally recommend that the drug is reserved for full-blown panic attacks, and not consumed daily. Despite this fact, Xanax is the most commonly prescribed medication throughout the United States. Xanax is a central nervous system depressant, meaning that it slows down brain activity and works to alleviate unshakeable feelings of stress. The predominant danger behind mixing Xanax with opiates lies in the fact that opiate drugs also work to depress the central nervous system. This combination of sedative effects can be lethal if too much of either drug is consumed. The dangers of polydrug abuse are extensive, and those who have been taking any medications other than as prescribed will likely require professional intervention and some degree of addiction treatment. At Evoke Wellness at Miramar we emphasize treatment for polydrug abuse by providing comprehensive and individualized care specific to which substances were being abused.
Recover From Substance Use Disorders
Our team of dedicated and professional staff members will conduct an in-depth evaluation as soon as you or your loved one is admitted into our recovery program, which will dictate which level and type of care is necessary based on unique needs. If we find that polydrug abuse is an issue, we will address it thoroughly with a variety of therapeutic modalities. For more information on our program of drug addiction recovery, please feel free to give us a call at any point in time. We look forward to speaking with you soon and getting you started on your journey of addiction recovery.
