Taking one opioid medication for pain opens people up to risks, but sometimes, people are afflicted with multiple conditions that require medication. This has led to a trend of individuals taking opioid medications and anxiety-treating benzodiazepines at the same time.

This is especially concerning because mixing these drugs significantly increases the risk of dependency, overdose, and death. While someone may understand the risks of taking each medication individually, the effects of combining opioids and benzodiazepines are far more unpredictable—making professional help from a trusted opioid and benzo treatment Kokomo, Indiana, essential.

People must refrain from mixing these drugs at all costs.

Key Takeaways:

• Combining opioids and benzodiazepines can severely slow breathing, increasing the risk of accidental overdose and death.
• Both drugs intensify each other’s sedative effects, leading to extreme drowsiness, impaired judgment, and dangerous reactions.
• Even when prescribed, mixing these medications without careful medical supervision can quickly lead to dependence, addiction, and long-term health complications.

What Are Opioids and Benzodiazepines?

Question: What Are Opioids and Benzodiazepines?

Answer: Opioids and benzodiazepines are two classes of prescription drugs that can be highly effective when used correctly—but also highly addictive when misused. Opioids are medications commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain. They work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking pain signals, producing relief and often a sense of euphoria.

Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are prescribed to manage anxiety, panic disorders, muscle spasms, and insomnia. They calm the central nervous system by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA.

When taken together or in higher doses than prescribed, these substances significantly increase the risk of dependence, overdose, and long-term health complications. Understanding what these drugs do and why they are risky is a crucial step in recognizing signs of misuse and seeking timely support for recovery.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are medications that bind to receptors in the brain to relieve pain. They include prescription medications, like OxyContin and Percocet, but they can also be illegally purchased substances like heroin. Physicians typically prescribe opioids for patients experiencing severe pain, such as after major surgery or during advanced cancer treatment. Common prescription opioids include Vicodin and oxycodone.

Vicodin

Vicodin—containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen—is one of the most prescribed pain medications in the United States. It is commonly used for moderate to severe pain.

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is used for moderate to severe long-term pain and is often prescribed in extended-release forms. Medications like Percocet and OxyContin contain oxycodone.

How Did Opioid Misuse Become a Crisis?

In the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured physicians that opioids were safe and non-addictive. As prescriptions skyrocketed, misuse increased, leading to what is known today as the opioid crisis. By the time the truth surfaced, tens of thousands of individuals had overdosed.

By 2017, millions of Americans were living with opioid-related substance use disorders. These individuals are often candidates for programs like the rehab for opioid addiction in Kokomo that residents rely on.

Benzodiazepines (“Benzos”)

Benzodiazepines are prescription sedatives commonly used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. Popular examples include Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam).

The Abuse of Opioids and Benzos

More people misuse opioids and benzodiazepines than nearly any other medications. Over 136 Americans die from opioid overdoses daily, and benzodiazepine prescriptions have dramatically increased over time. Healthcare providers frequently prescribed both medications to the same patients, despite these combinations being known to increase overdose risk.

Because of the grave consequences, speaking with specialists at First City Recovery Center or another trusted or best rehab for benzo in Kokomo is vital for anyone using these medications together.

Why You Should Not Mix Opioids and Benzodiazepines

Opioids like Vicodin and oxycodone are Schedule II drugs—highly addictive and dangerous. Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium fall under Schedule IV but still carry risk.

Can You Overdose?

Yes. Taking large amounts of opioids or benzos separately can lead to overdose, but combining them is far more dangerous. The mixture slows breathing to dangerously low levels, often leading to fatal respiratory failure.

This is why immediate intervention from a structured program—such as First City Recovery Kokomo, Indiana—can be life-saving.

Why People Mix Opioids and Benzos

Tolerance plays a major role. When patients become tolerant to opioids, they may start adding benzodiazepines to increase pain relief or intensify the high. This combination is linked to nearly half of opioid-related overdose deaths.

A safe withdrawal requires a medical detox program, like those offered at First City Recovery Kokomo.

What Happens in the Body When Mixing These Drugs?

Combining these substances causes severe respiratory depression. Breathing slows, oxygen drops, carbon dioxide builds up, and conditions like hypoxia, cerebral hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, and respiratory arrest can occur—often resulting in permanent brain damage or death.

Get Help Today

Misusing opioids or benzodiazepines is dangerous on its own—but mixing them is exponentially more life-threatening. If you or a loved one is struggling, professional support from a trusted recovery program is vital.

First City Recovery Center offers comprehensive detox and addiction treatment specific to individuals misusing these substances. Whether you’re seeking the best rehab for opioid addiction in Kokomo, the best rehab for benzo Kokomo, or specialized opioid and benzo treatment Kokomo, Indiana, their team is equipped to guide you toward a safe and lasting recovery.

Your road to sobriety starts with a single step. Call First City Recovery Center today.