Why Is It Dangerous to Mix Xanax and Wine?

Both Xanax and wine have a depressant effect on the body, so mixing then can be dangerous, especially in large doses, even if Xanax is prescribed by a physician.

While some people may combine the two and never experience any negative consequences, but there is a strong potential for this mix to be fatal, which is a risk that’s never worth taking.

Xanax and Wine: Is It Safe?

Many people may wonder if it is safe to drink wine with a Xanax prescription given the popularity of having a glass of wine with dinner or unwinding in the evening. At the surface, this might seem like a harmless practice, and unfortunately, statistics show that alcohol and benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are commonly mixed. A study in the Western Journal of Medicine found that among people requiring emergency room treatment for benzodiazepine abuse, 27.2% of these cases also involved alcohol.

There are serious risks involved with mixing these two substances.

The Risks of Combining Xanax with Wine

Determining whether it’s truly safe to combine Xanax and wine requires a conversation with a medical professional. Most experts recommend that people using benzodiazepines (benzos) cut out alcohol or use it minimally since alcohol increases the effects of benzos.

Alcohol, like Xanax, affects the GABA receptors, which is why alcohol has a sedative effect on the body. When people mix Xanax and wine, the sedative effects are stronger than when Xanax is used alone, so a person may have a difficult time concentrating and feel especially drowsy using these substances in combination. Therefore, it’s extremely dangerous to combine the two when driving, caring for young children, or performing tasks that require care or concentration.

Some people may risk combining a glass of wine here and there while taking an anti-anxiety medication, but the best practice is to avoid alcohol altogether, because the combination can be deadly, especially in high doses. In 2015, one study found that 26.1% of benzodiazepine-related deaths in a given year involved alcohol use. Some research also shows that when alcohol and benzodiazepines are mixed, and cause an overdose death, the levels of alcohol in a person’s system are lower than typically associated with fatalities from alcohol use alone.

Remember that both of these drugs have a sedative effect and can impair breathing, making the combination of the two potentially fatal. If you’ve been prescribed Xanax, it is important to have an honest conversation with your doctor about your alcohol use.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Jenni Jacobsen, LSW

Dr. Jenni Jacobsen is a licensed social worker through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She has over seven years working in the social work field, working with clients with addiction-related and mental health diagnoses. Read more