Benzos for Cocaine Comedown: The Risks of Polydrug Use

Polydrug use—the practice of combining multiple substances—is a common but dangerous behavior, particularly among individuals using stimulants like cocaine. One of the most frequent pairings is cocaine with benzodiazepines (benzos), a class of depressants often taken to ease the intense crash that follows stimulant use.

Polydrug use can take several forms, including:

• Mixing substances to enhance or alter their effects.
• Using one drug to offset another, such as taking benzos to ease anxiety and insomnia after cocaine use.
• Rotating different drugs within a short period, sometimes within days or weeks.

This pattern isn’t limited to illicit drugs—it also includes alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and inhalants like paint fumes. While substances like tobacco and coffee are typically excluded, combinations such as alcohol and energy drinks fall under this category.

Though some users believe benzos help smooth the cocaine comedown, this combination carries significant risks, including overdose, respiratory depression, and increased dependence on both substances. Understanding these dangers is crucial for those struggling with substance use.

Why do people mix Benzos and Cocaine?

Imagine a scenario: someone uses cocaine to stay energized during a night out. Later, feeling anxious and unable to sleep due to the cocaine’s effects, they take a benzodiazepine in an attempt to calm down. This seemingly simple act can set in motion a dangerous cycle, increasing the risk of overdose, cardiovascular problems, and other severe health consequences.

This repeated pattern can be dangerous not just because you are putting yourself in danger of overdose, but this repeated pattern can, if not already, turn into an addiction. After a while, cocaine users usually find themselves using it not just to stay out all night but just to wake up and function throughout the day. So you are then using cocaine all the time and countering it with benzos. So you obtain an addiction to both.

Are Benzos Safe for Cocaine Comedown?

No, benzodiazepines (benzos) are not a safe solution for a cocaine comedown. While they may temporarily ease comedown symptoms like anxiety and insomnia, mixing benzos with cocaine increases the risk of overdose, respiratory depression, and addiction. This combination can lead to a dangerous cycle of substance use disorder, requiring professional cocaine addiction treatment.

The Dangerous Combination: Cocaine and Benzodiazepines

While some individuals mistakenly believe that benzodiazepines can “take the edge off” a cocaine high or help with the comedown, combining these two substances is extremely dangerous and can have life-threatening consequences. This combination creates a complex and unpredictable interaction within the body, significantly increasing the risks associated with each drug individually.

Increased Risk of Overdose

Both cocaine and benzodiazepines can depress respiration, although they do so through different mechanisms. Cocaine, while a stimulant, can lead to respiratory depression at high doses or during a “crash.” Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that directly slow down breathing. When combined, these effects are amplified, dramatically increasing the risk of respiratory failure and fatal overdose. Even if not immediately fatal, respiratory depression can lead to brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Cardiovascular Problems

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that puts significant stress on the cardiovascular system. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels. Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are depressants that can lower heart rate and blood pressure. This “fight” within the body, where one drug is pushing the heart to work harder while the other is trying to slow it down, creates immense strain. This can lead to a variety of serious cardiovascular problems, including:

• Heart attack: The increased workload on the heart, combined with the potential for irregular heart rhythms, significantly raises the risk of heart attack.
• Stroke: Cocaine’s vasoconstrictive effects can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke. The fluctuating blood pressure caused by the combination can also increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
• Arrhythmias: The disruption of the heart’s electrical activity can lead to dangerous arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), which can be fatal.

Respiratory Depression

As mentioned above, both drugs can slow breathing, and the combination can lead to respiratory failure. This is a primary cause of death in overdoses involving this combination.

Psychological Symptoms

The combination of cocaine and benzodiazepines can also have profound and unpredictable psychological effects. While some people might initially seek the calming effects of benzos to counteract cocaine-induced anxiety, the interaction can actually worsen mental health issues. The combined use can increase the risk of:

• Anxiety and Paranoia: While benzos are prescribed for anxiety, the combination with cocaine can paradoxically increase anxiety and paranoia, even leading to panic attacks.
• Psychosis: In some individuals, this combination can trigger or exacerbate psychosis, a mental state characterized by hallucinations and delusions.
• Worsened Comedown: While benzos might seem to offer temporary relief from the cocaine comedown, they can ultimately make it worse. The rebound effects of both drugs can lead to a more intense and prolonged period of depression, anxiety, and intense cravings.

Increased Addiction Potential

Combining cocaine and benzodiazepines can create a complex and dangerous cycle of dependency. The user may become addicted to both drugs, making it significantly harder to quit. The reinforcing effects of each drug can strengthen the addiction, and the user may find themselves trapped in a pattern of using one to counteract the effects of the other. This poly-drug use can lead to a more severe and challenging addiction to treat.

Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of combining cocaine and benzodiazepines can be devastating, impacting both physical and mental health, and significantly increasing the risk of severe complications and even death. Here’s a breakdown of the potential long-term consequences:  

Physical Symptoms

• Cardiovascular Damage: Chronic use of this combination puts immense strain on the heart. Over time, this can lead to:
  • Heart disease: Increased risk of developing conditions like cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle) and heart failure.
  • Hypertension: Persistent high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.  
  • Increased risk of sudden death: Due to the potential for fatal arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
• Respiratory Problems: Long-term use can contribute to:
  • Chronic respiratory issues: Damage to the lungs, potentially leading to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Increased susceptibility to infections: Damage to the respiratory system can weaken its defenses, making individuals more prone to pneumonia and other infections.
• Neurological Damage: The combination can have toxic effects on the brain, potentially leading to:
  • Cognitive decline: Problems with memory, attention, and decision-making.
  • Increased risk of seizures: Both cocaine and benzodiazepines can increase seizure risk, and the combination may amplify this effect.
  • Movement disorders: In some cases, long-term use can contribute to movement disorders like Parkinsonism.
• Liver and Kidney Damage: Both cocaine and benzodiazepines are processed by the liver and kidneys. Chronic use can put a strain on these organs, potentially leading to:
  • Liver damage: Including hepatitis and cirrhosis.
  • Kidney damage: Impaired kidney function and increased risk of kidney disease.

Mental Health

• Exacerbation of Mental Health Disorders: The combination can worsen pre-existing mental health conditions and increase the risk of developing new ones, including:
  • Depression: Long-term use can disrupt the brain’s neurochemistry, contributing to chronic depression.
  • Anxiety disorders: While benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety, long-term use, especially in combination with cocaine, can paradoxically worsen anxiety and lead to panic attacks.
  • Psychosis: Increased risk of developing psychosis, characterized by hallucinations and delusions.  
• Dependence and Addiction: Long-term use of this combination almost inevitably leads to:
  • Polydrug addiction: Dependence on both cocaine and benzodiazepines, making it much harder to quit.
  • Increased risk of relapse: The complex dependency created by combining these drugs makes it more challenging to maintain sobriety.

Other Long-Term Consequences

• Social and Relationship Problems: Addiction can lead to:
  • Strained relationships: Due to changes in behavior, mood, and priorities.
  • Job loss: Difficulty maintaining employment due to impaired functioning and unreliability.
  • Financial difficulties: Due to the high cost of drugs and the impact of addiction on employment.
• Increased Risk of Accidents and Injuries: Impaired judgment, coordination, and cognitive function increase the risk of accidents and injuries, both while under the influence and due to the long-term effects on the brain.
• Increased Risk of Overdose and Death: Even with long-term use, the risk of overdose remains high, especially when combining cocaine and benzodiazepines. Overdose can lead to death from respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or stroke.

It’s important to emphasize that the long-term effects of combining cocaine and benzodiazepines can vary depending on individual factors such as:

• Frequency and amount of use: The more frequent and higher the doses, the greater the risk of long-term consequences.
• Individual health: Pre-existing physical or mental health conditions can increase vulnerability to the long-term effects.
• Genetic predisposition: Some individuals may be genetically more susceptible to the negative effects of these drugs.

How to Recover from a Cocaine Hangover

A cocaine hangover, also known as a cocaine crash, occurs after a cocaine binge and can lead to unpleasant symptoms like fatigue, depression, anxiety, and intense cravings. These effects result from depleted dopamine levels, a key neurotransmitter involved in motivation and pleasure.

Steps to Recover from a Cocaine Hangover

1. Hydrate and Nourish Your Body
   • Drink plenty of water to flush toxins and combat dehydration.
   • Eat nutritious food rich in vitamins and protein to restore energy.
2. Rest and Allow Your Brain to Rebalance
   • Sleep is crucial for dopamine and serotonin regulation.
   • Avoid stimulants like caffeine, which can worsen cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
3. Manage Comedown Symptoms
   • Expect a runny nose, headaches, and mood swings.
   • Engage in light physical activity to boost well-being.
   • Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to ease side effects.
4. Seek Support if Needed
   • A cocaine crash can trigger suicidal thoughts or deep depression.
   • Reach out to a helpline or support network if struggling.
5. Consider Professional Help for Long-Term Recovery
   • If cocaine abuse becomes a pattern, consider cocaine addiction treatment.
   • Treatment options include outpatient counseling, inpatient rehab, and group therapy.
   • The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends structured treatment programs for substance use disorder.

While occasional recovery from a cocaine hangover is possible, repeated cocaine use can lead to drug addiction. If you’re experiencing ongoing issues, seeking help from a treatment center can support your long-term recovery.

Polydrug Use and Addiction: A Growing Concern

The use of multiple drugs at one time is frequently seen; the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report lists several relevant findings, including the following:

• Alcohol abuse is present in 38% of all medical emergencies involving stimulants.
• Fifty-six percent of all medical emergencies involved multiple drugs, and Fifty-three percent involved various prescription medications.
• Sixty-six percent of all non-emergency detox requests involved various drugs.

One of the most common combinations of drugs is uppers and downers, especially cocaine and benzodiazepines or benzos.

Cocaine is a dangerously addictive stimulant drug. It increases your heart rate and blood pressure and raises your body temperature. It usually is used to help keep a person awake by heightening alertness, focus, and attention.

Get the Help You Need

Seeking help for cocaine and benzodiazepine addiction is crucial. If you or someone you love is struggling, know that recovery is possible. Beyond the specialized care offered at facilities like Allure Detox, a range of resources is available. Support groups like Cocaine Anonymous and SMART Recovery provide peer support and guidance. It’s essential to explore different treatment options, including detox, therapy, and aftercare programs, to find the best fit for individual needs. Taking the first step towards recovery can be challenging, but it’s a step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.

FAQ

If you or someone you know is combining cocaine and benzodiazepines, it’s crucial to seek help immediately. The long-term consequences can be severe and life-threatening, but recovery is possible with appropriate treatment and support.

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Published on: 2020-06-08
Updated on: 2025-02-19