Tranxene Abuse
Tranxene is a brand-name prescription benzodiazepine. The generic name is clorazepate. It is prescribed for anxiety, certain seizure conditions, and to help people who are recovering from long-term misuse of alcohol. Tranxene has therapeutic benefits, but also risks. All benzodiazepines affect the brain neurotransmitter GABA and its receptor sites. In doing so, this substance class has a calming effect on brain activity. Tranxene and similar drugs can be helpful in treating certain symptoms, but they can also cause physical dependence and psychological disease.
When someone’s body becomes tolerant to Tranxene, their brain pathways change. The psychological disease of addiction to Tranxene is characterized by compulsively administering the substance. People consistently misusing benzos like Tranxene will continue misusing these substances even when negative effects occur. Drug misuse is out of the control of the individual struggling with this psychological disease. Signs of Tranxene addiction can also include intense cravings and a constant preoccupation with the drug.
While it is possible to become addicted to Tranxene just when using it on its own and as prescribed, misuse increases the risk. Tranxene misuse can include:
- Taking larger doses than what’s instructed by a doctor
- Taking Tranxene more often or for longer than prescribed
- Using Tranxene without a prescription
- Using it recreationally
Another example of Tranxene misuse is combining it with other substances. Benzos can be misused on their own, but more often they’re mixed with other substances. For example, people may mix Tranxene and alcohol or opioids. By combining multiple substances, people taking the drugs feel they’re amplifying the sense of euphoria or relaxation the substances create. Not only does mixing Tranxene and alcohol or other substances increase the chance of addiction but combining such substances can also have dangerous or deadly side effects.
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The Risks of Mixing Tranxene and Alcohol
When someone takes Tranxene or other benzos, they may seem impaired. Benzos have a depressant effect on the central nervous system. This can cause signs of intoxication including a lack of coordination, slurred speech, and drowsiness. People taking Tranxene may seem confused or they may experience memory problems. These symptoms can be especially severe in elderly people.
Alcohol also affects GABA and depresses the central nervous system. As a result, alcohol has effects similar to Tranxene and other benzos. If the substances are combined, it can cause a person to seem extremely intoxicated. Someone who is mixing Tranxene and alcohol may lack judgment or may put themselves in a risky situation. They may also be at risk of being involved in an accident.
Overindulgence
Most occurrences of drug overindulgence involve a benzodiazepine and another substance. Tranxene suppresses respiration because of its effects on the central nervous system. Alcohol can do this as well. When someone mixes alcohol and Tranxene, it can cause profound sedation or respiratory depression which can be fatal. The risk of a fatal overdose is even more extreme when someone mixes benzos with opioids. Prescription opioid pain relievers cause severe respiratory depression at high doses. There is a black box warning on opioids and benzos regarding the risks of combining them.
There is another consideration when it comes to mixing Tranxene and alcohol or opioids as well. Tranxene is considered a long-acting benzo. The average half-life of Tranxene is 50 hours. This means that it takes 50 hours for half the drug to be eliminated from the system after someone takes it. This is beneficial in terms of reducing the risk of physical dependence and psychological addiction. However, this means that Tranxene can stay in the system of the user for days. It also accumulates in the system, unlike other benzos. Someone may drink alcohol or take opioids days after having a dose of Tranxene. Even though days are separating the use of these substances, they may experience negative side effects since Tranxene stays in the body so long.
The Recovery Village is here if you’d like to reach out and learn more about what can be done to recover from the psychological disease of addiction. We have a team of specialists who are available any time you’re ready to talk or learn more to help yourself or your loved one.
