What Are the Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Phenibut?
Phenibut is an enhancer of depressants like alcohol, which is why they’re often used together to intensify the feelings of intoxication. People may try this combination to feel more relaxed, but the sedative effects on the body can lead to impaired brain function, oxygen deprivation, and other serious risks.
Alcohol and phenibut together put a strain on the body’s central nervous system, contributing to severe side effects such as respiratory supression. While the initial sensation may feel like heavy intoxication, the combination can lead to slowed reaction time, impaired judgment, loss of consciousness, and overdose.
If you or someone you know is using phenibut for self-medication of mental health problems or for recreational purposes, it’s important to get the right information. Call Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439 to learn more.
Can You Drink on Phenibut?
On its own, taking phenibut rarely leads to overdose or death. However, mixing alcohol with phenibut can be fatal. When phenibut is intentionally mixed with alcohol, it is a type of substance abuse.
Phenibut is a prescription drug in Russia, where it’s used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, phenibut is available without a prescription in the United States and in many other countries. In the U.S., individuals can obtain phenibut online.
Phenibut works by activating GABA receptors in the brain. GABA, also known as “gamma-aminobutyric acid,” is a neurotransmitter responsible for dampening the transmission of nerve impulses. Because of this, one of the key effects of phenibut is a sense of calm and relaxation. When combined with alcohol, this can become severe.
The interaction between alcohol and phenibut is complex and may lead to extreme drowsiness and sedation if taken at a certain ratio. In turn, this can lead to issues with a slower heart rate and slower breathing, which could cause oxygen deficiencies for major organs, leading to permanent damage.
How Long After Taking Phenibut Can You Drink Alcohol?
If you’ve taken phenibut, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used CNS depressants, which means it can reduce inhibitions. When taken with phenibut, the effects of alcohol only become stronger. This means people with social anxiety may use phenibut to feel more extroverted and sociable. However, the combination of mixing alcohol with phenibut is harmful to the body.
In the U.S., phenibut is widely sold as a nootropic. Nootropics are a class of drugs marketed as having a positive effect on focus, alertness, and cognition, sometimes called “smart drugs.” Kratom is another example of an unregulated drug that is being pushed on the market as an enhancer. Nootropic drugs are poorly regulated, but that does not make them safe.
Why Do People Mix Alcohol With Phenibut?
Some people take alcohol and phenibut together intentionally because phenibut acts as an enhancer of central nervous system depressants like alcohol.
Phenibut’s ability to increase the sedative effects of alcohol can also worsen reaction time, cognition, and judgment. As a result, the combination can put someone at increased risk of bodily injury. However, these are only some of the dangers of mixing alcohol with phenibut. The most severe side effects and symptoms can be life-threatening.
Are you looking for a confidential treatment program that can help you overcome drug addiction or get your alcohol consumption in check? Zinnia Health can help. Call our team today at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about our treatment options.
Why Is It Dangerous to Mix Phenibut with Alcohol?
The most severe risks of mixing alcohol with phenibut come down to the fact that both drugs act as nervous system depressants. This means respiratory depression can occur, resulting in:
- Organ damage
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
With repeated use, phenibut dependence can form, which is marked by a change in behavioral health caused by chemical changes in the brain. Any drug, such as opioids, that interacts with receptors in the brain can cause rapid development of physical dependence. Physical dependence is one step away from phenibut addiction, which is marked by psychological dependence.
Combining phenibut and alcohol can also lead to alcohol dependence.
What Can Happen if You Drink on Phenibut?
The day following the use of alcohol and phenibut together, a person is likely to experience very strong hangover-like symptoms. However, this is just a short-term side effect. More severe, long-term side effects of combining alcohol with phenibut spring from the heightened risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
If someone is addicted to alcohol and/or phenibut, the combination will only push them further down the path of misuse. Because phenibut heightens the effects of alcohol, it can rapidly lead to tolerance for a given amount. This will lead an individual to take more to feel the same effects, which contributes to the development of physical dependence.
Once dependence forms, it’s no longer possible to just quit “cold turkey.” A person must go through withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous and uncomfortable.
Alcohol withdrawal is an uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous process, as is phenibut withdrawal. Treatment programs exist to help those suffering from substance use disorders avoid toxicity, detox from the substance, and achieve remission.
Being physically dependent on both means that specialized addiction treatment is necessary to ensure safe and lasting recovery. Going through the withdrawal process alone is tough and leads to a higher risk of relapse. That’s why reaching out to a team of caring professionals is the right way forward.
What Are the Symptoms From Drinking Alcohol with Phenibut?
The combination of alcohol and phenibut can cause people to respond very differently. For most, phenibut and alcohol lead to higher sociability and disinhibition. However, too much can lead to sedation and drowsiness.
The key dangers of mixing alcohol and phenibut have to do with its powerful symptoms, which include:
- Blackouts
- Short-term memory loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
If someone is experiencing alcohol or phenibut addiction, you may also notice changes in their mood, personality, and habits.
How to Get Help for a Phenibut Addiction
While phenibut may not be a controlled substance in the United States, that doesn’t mean that’s it’s safe to self-medicate with it or to start mixing phenibut with other drugs. Phenibut overdose is possible, and taking the drug can impact your cognitive function and lead to addiction.
If you or a loved one need help overcoming drug cravings and getting on a path to lasting recovery, there are many treatment programs available. When searching for a facility to help you with addiction treatment, remember:
- Find a treatment center that offers customized treatment pathways tailored to your unique needs, goals, and challenges.
- Look for a combination of inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, which will be more flexible and help you make the transition in and out of a structured plan.
- Ask about their experience with co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety
- Talk to their helpline to get a feel for how helpful and knowledgeable the staff is when they speak to you about the next steps in treatment.
At Zinnia Health, we are dedicated to helping individuals through recovery and beyond. If you’re interested in learning more about what we do for you or your loved one, call Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439 and speak to one of our team members.
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