Expert: Jan Edward Williams - 6/21/2009

Question
Once I saw a site on aol that was titled "how to kill yourself with xanax and alcohol" I didn't pay any attention at the time, and now I can't find it again. I am writing a book in which a woman does precisely that: commits suicide using xanax and vodka. The book will never see publication or seen by anyone but myself, but I want the correct facts anyway.

Answer
Hello Lela,
Accidental overdose and suicide can occur when combining alcohol with another sedative. It is the synergy that occurs when one ingests alcohol with benzodiazepines such as Xanax that makes the combination so deadly. Take a look at these sites for information on benzodiazepines:
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81611
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2121.html

Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
www.alcoholdrugsos.com
jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com