Weed and Xanax are common substances that people may choose to abuse. When taken together, they could cause serious health consequences. While both weed and Xanax are legal in the majority of states, they can cause addiction and serious side effects.
If people mix these substances regularly, they will likely have a substance abuse disorder. Getting timely treatment in a detox and residential facility is the key to battling addiction and preventing a medical emergency.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana, commonly referred to as weed, combines dried parts of the cannabis plant. This plant contains chemicals that affect a person’s brain, mood, and consciousness.
People use marijuana in several different ways, including:
- Smoking (in a joint or through a pipe)
- Ingesting (mixing it with food and eating)
- Brewing it and drinking it as tea
- Using electronic vaporizers
California was the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use in 1996. Today, 39 states and D.C. allow medical use of this substance. In 2012, Colorado and Washington legalized weed for recreational use. By 2023, 19 more states and D.C. adopted the same practice.
Besides weed, other common names for marijuana include:
- Pot
- Herb
- Grass
- Bud
- Mary Jane
- Ganja
THC in Weed
The active ingredient in marijuana is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its structure is similar to the structure of one of the natural chemicals in the brain. This tricks a person’s body into recognizing the drug and allowing it to alter brain activity.
THC can affect a person’s memory, coordination, and learning ability. When people use marijuana, they can experience such short-term effects as altered senses, mood changes, coordination issues, memory problems, and inability to focus.
Long-Term Effects of Marijuana
For many people, using weed doesn’t result in an addiction. However, some users develop a habit. While the drug is legal in many states, the need for treating cannabis use disorder exists. With the right approach to rehabilitation, it’s possible to battle marijuana addiction.
When someone uses marijuana regularly, they could develop long-term effects, including:
- Decreased mental function
- Addiction (cannabis use disorder)
- Child development problems (during and after pregnancy)
- Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disorders
- Respiratory (breathing) problems
What is Xanax?
Xanax is the brand name for a prescription drug called alprazolam. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Xanax for treating anxiety and panic disorders. Some doctors may also prescribe this drug to treat seizures and muscle spasms.
Alprazolam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. They work by reducing excessive excitement in the brain. Xanax strengthens the effect of natural chemical brain messengers responsible for calming the nervous system.
As a depressant, Xanax comes with a variety of possible side effects, including:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Concentration problems
- Libido changes
- Weight changes
- Joint pain
Overdosing on this medication can cause severe consequences such as shortness of breath, confusion, concentration problems, and loss of consciousness.
People who use Xanax regularly can develop tolerance. With time, they need more of this substance to experience the same calming effect. It’s dangerous to quit Xanax “cold turkey.” Withdrawal symptoms can be severe or even lethal.
It’s imperative to detox from Xanax with professional medical assistance. A doctor can evaluate the situation and wean the patient off the drug gradually.
Illegal Use
While Xanax is a prescription medication, the high demand for its recreational use made it possible to find these pills on the street. They come in different shapes, colors, and dosages.
Xanax, which people buy off the street, isn’t always manufactured in the United States. Some of it may come from other countries where drug manufacturing doesn’t meet high safety standards.
Dangers of Mixing Xanax and Weed
Since Xanax and weed are both depressants, they can enhance each other’s effects. When taken in low doses, Xanax can reduce anxiety. High doses could lead to side effects, such as confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and even breathing problems.
When a person takes Xanax and weed together, they increase the chances of experiencing severe health consequences. The dosage and effects become harder to control. Eventually, the user could face a medical emergency.
When taking weed and Xanax together, a person is:
- More prone to get into an accident due to excessive sleepiness and impaired judgment
- More likely to experience a panic attack.
- Likely to face breathing problems (both Xanax and marijuana cause low respiratory levels)
While lethal consequences of mixing Xanax and weed are rare, the toll such use takes on a person’s body is profound. Meanwhile, people who have existing mental health disorders could worsen their symptoms.
Higher Risk of Overdose
Using Xanax and weed together is also dangerous because marijuana can make it harder for the body to break down alprazolam. This raises the amount of Xanax in the blood and increases the number of side effects and the possibility of overdosing.
More research needs to be done to uncover all the possible consequences of combining Xanax and weed together. However, some people are already experiencing health problems, addiction, and mental health issues.
Detox and Inpatient Rehabilitation for Xanax and Weed
If a person abuses weed and Xanax, they need professional medical assistance. The longer the problem remains untreated, the more likely the user will face serious health consequences. If the person has mental health disorders, their symptoms can worsen.
Detoxification from weed and Xanax has to be medically assisted. While quitting marijuana abruptly doesn’t cause serious side effects, Xanax is different. Medical professionals need to arrange gradual withdrawal. Once both drugs are out of the person’s system, they can start comprehensive rehabilitation, including group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and coping skills training.
Inland Detox offers medically-controlled detox for drug combinations, a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program, and after-care services. An experienced clinical team focuses on simplifying detox and ensuring a comfortable rehabilitation experience for people who struggle with multiple-drug abuse disorders. For more information, please contact our team at any convenient time.