The Risks of Mixing Librium and Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal is no picnic — and that’s putting it lightly. If you’ve ever gone through it, you know what it’s like to be covered in sweat (yet shivering at the same time), unable to hold a pen for enough seconds in a row to sign your name, all the while doubling over with that never-ending nausea that no amount of Liquid IV, Melba crackers, or ginger chews seem to quell. Yuck. And it’s even worse at night, when you’re lying in bed, stuck in that queasy in-between space of insomnia and extreme fatigue. 

Luckily, these days we have Librium to help us out when the situation calls for it. While it was originally developed to treat anxiety, these days it’s primarily used to treat alcohol withdrawal. But what happens if you mix Librium with alcohol? Let’s look into the harmful effects of mixing these two substances.

What Is Librium?

Had history taken a different turn, Librium could have gone undiscovered, tossed into a garbage can at the Hoffmann-La Roche labs in New Jersey in 1954. As the story goes, it was discovered by accident when scientist Leo Sternbach started tinkering with a class of heretofore unknown compounds dubbed “benzheptoxdiazines.” He helped synthesize these compounds 20 years earlier but couldn’t derive any pharmacological use out of them. One of the versions he came up with — a crystalline powder labeled “Ro 5-0690” —  ended up on the shelf (and almost in the garbage can, when Sternbach’s lab was getting cleaned over a year later).

As you may have guessed, this was the first version of Librium — a compound that ended up having powerful hypnotic and sedative effects in mice and acted as a potent muscle relaxer in cats. Soon enough this early benzodiazepine passed clinical trials and went from relaxing felines to quelling anxiety and insomnia in humans. Unfortunately, it also made people slur their words and lose coordination, so the interest in the drug fizzled out until it was picked up by other investigators who had better luck and eventually got it approved by the FDA in 1960.

How Does Librium Work?

Remember those slurring and stumbling early Librium patients? When we look at how Librium works at a chemical level, it’s not surprising that they seemed, well, drunk. 

Just like alcohol, Librium works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to calm nervous-system activity. Alcohol does the same (along with suppressing glutamate, its excitatory counterpart).

The result? Relaxation and tranquility. Exactly what we need when our brain chemistry is going haywire during withdrawal. Why? Because the brain is all about balance. If we’ve been drinking for a while, it gets used to the flood of GABA and suppresses its natural production. Switching gears suddenly doesn’t give it time to adjust, so replenishing our GABA with the help of Librium during the transition period makes for a much smoother ride.

The Benzo Scene Gets Bigger

Time went on, and benzodiazepines evolved as Valium, Klonopin, and Xanax came onto the scene. While these days they’re usually given preference when it comes to treating anxiety disorders, Librium has become the go-to medication for treating alcohol withdrawal (as well as presurgery anxiety).

Librium and Alcohol: A Dangerous Mix

Although it’s effective for alcohol withdrawal, taking Librium with alcohol is a whole different story.

In short, it’s not a good idea — and it could be dangerous. Here’s why:

1. Increased Sedation

Both Librium and alcohol are depressants that slow down the nervous system. Librium itself can cause severe drowsiness, slowing our heart rate and breathing to potentially dangerous levels.

When we mix the two substances, the downer effects get even more risky. The sedative properties are enhanced, potentially causing dangerous levels of respiratory depression, drowsiness, and dizziness. Even if we don’t stop breathing, the dizziness alone can pose a risk, especially if we’re out and about, crossing streets or operating machinery.

2. Other Side Effects

Librium has other side effects that don’t mix well with alcohol:

• Cognitive problems. Librium can make our memory fuzzy while throwing our concentration off-kilter. And alcohol? Well, let’s just say we’re not at our sharpest after we’ve had a few drinks.
• Mood swings. Librium is known to cause unusual changes in mood or behavior. As for alcohol, we know it can make our mood unpredictable as well, getting us to laugh at a weather report on TV one minute and cry at a shampoo commercial the next. These mood swings can persist well into the next day, so any overlap between Librium is trouble waiting to happen.
• Balance and coordination problems. As we mentioned before, both Librium and alcohol can make us dizzy. Added to that, there are possible problems with balance or muscle movement — in other words, an accident waiting to happen.
• Digestive side effects. While less dangerous than the other side effects, this one can still be a nuisance. Librium could cause stomach pain and loss of appetite. Alcohol, in turn, wreaks havoc on the digestive system, causing stomach irritation (that could turn into gastritis if we really overdo it for a while), discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Not fun!

As we can see, the side effects of Librium don’t combine well with the effects of booze. But there’s even more to the story! 

3. Risk to the Liver

Both alcohol and Librium are processed by the liver, and as we know, the liver is already working overtime to process booze, so adding to its already full plate is asking for trouble. 

Besides, if we’ve been drinking for a long time (let’s face it, that’s usually the context in which we get introduced to Librium to begin with), we might already be showing signs of liver disease, such as fatty liver or even cirrhosis. So let’s give it a break! (For more information, check out “How Much Alcohol Causes Liver Damage?”)

4. Increased Risk of Overdose

Another risk of mixing Librium with booze? We’re playing with danger when it comes to potential overdose risk. Taking both together makes overdose more likely than taking either substance alone. Here are the telltale symptoms:

• We might feel confused.
• Our motor skills go out the window.
• We could feel lethargic and sleepy (but watch out — “sleeping it off” could be deadly!)

If things progress, we could end up in a coma or worse. Never ignore the signs of an overdose — seek medical help right away!

5. Risk of Mental Health Problems and Dependence

Last but not least, both Librium and alcohol can lead to dependence. In addition to causing a surge of GABA, both trigger the release of dopamine — the so-called “reward neurotransmitter.” As the name suggests, dopamine makes us feel good — it’s a neurological “gold star” our brain rewards us with when we perform a habitual action. 

While the reward system evolved to keep habits alive in order to ensure our survival, unfortunately it can’t distinguish between beneficial habits (such as socializing or eating nutritious foods) or destructive ones (such as substance use, gambling, and any other number of habits that also trigger a rush of dopamine).

With both Librium and alcohol in our system, we become more likely to fall into habitual use of either or both substances. We are also more prone to act impulsively, ending up embarrassed at best and possibly putting ourselves in serious danger. (Driving under the influence, jumping into the pool in the middle of December — whatever it is, we’re more likely to do it.) Want to know more about how dependence develops? Take a look at  “Understanding Alcohol Dependence: Health Issues, Causes, and How To Overcome.”

How Long After Taking Librium Can I Drink Alcohol?

Most doctors recommend waiting to make sure Librium is completely out of your system before considering drinking. With a long half-life that ranges anywhere from 5 to 30 hours, some of Librium’s metabolites remain in the system for quite a while, so it’s best to wait at least a few days.

That said, there might be additional considerations to keep in mind when weighing whether drinking after taking Librium is a good idea, even if it’s been a few days. If you were taking Librium for alcohol withdrawal, adding booze back into your life so soon afterwards (or at all) might not be in your best interests. Always check with your doctor first, and stick to the treatment plan you’ve chosen together!

Alcohol Withdrawal and Librium

Alcohol withdrawal can be an incredibly challenging experience, both physically and mentally, for those grappling with dependence. When someone decides to quit drinking after prolonged heavy use, their body and brain often struggle to adjust to the sudden absence of alcohol. Symptoms range from mild anxiety and tremors to severe complications like seizures and hallucinations. 

In medical settings, managing these symptoms effectively is crucial, and Librium is often used to alleviate some of these uncomfortable symptoms. Librium’s calming effects help mitigate the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, providing a safer and more comfortable transition towards sobriety. However, it's important for individuals undergoing alcohol withdrawal to be under medical supervision, as the dosage and duration of Librium treatment need careful monitoring to prevent dependence on this medication.

Mixing Librium and alcohol can be extremely dangerous due to their combined depressant effects on the central nervous system. Both substances slow down brain activity and cause drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and memory problems. When taken together, they amplify each other's negative impacts. This combination increases the risk of accidents, falls, and other injuries. Moreover, mixing Librium and alcohol can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, slowed breathing, and even coma in severe cases. Additionally, both substances can be habit-forming on their own, and combining them increases the likelihood of developing dependence and addiction.

It is crucial for individuals prescribed Librium to avoid alcohol completely during treatment and to follow their healthcare provider's instructions carefully to ensure safe and effective recovery

Tips To Stay Safe

Finally, here are some tips to stay safe while taking Librium (as well as advice for coping with withdrawal):

1. Avoid the mix. First and foremost, don’t mix Librium and alcohol — it’s not worth the risk!
2. Ask for help if you need to. There’s no shame in asking for help — in fact, it’s a sign of strength! If you’re struggling with dependency of any kind, going through withdrawal, or trying to cut back on alcohol and are having trouble, you’re not alone. Many others (such as members of the Reframe community!) have been exactly where you are and are now thriving. Reach out, and we’ll be happy to help! 
3. Find your people. Once you find people you jibe with — whether it’s online or in person — cultivate those relationships. You’ll need a “tribe” to rely on throughout your journey, and it takes time to really get to know someone. Trust us, it’ll be worth it!
4. Nourish your body. Whether you’re going through alcohol withdrawal, trying to cut back, or just want to feel your best, nourishing your body is key. Make sure you get plenty of whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins in your diet. And load up on those vitamin-rich fruits and veggies! Your body will thank you.
5. Get moving. Make sure you’re doing some gentle movement every day. Yoga, walking, swimming, dancing in your living room — whatever floats your boat. All of it counts, and all of it will be a step in the right direction, as far as recovery is concerned.
6. Get rest and take it easy. That closet remodeling project can wait. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest as your body recovers! Alcohol robs us of much-needed quality sleep, which is essential for restoring health.

And remember, Reframe is here for you as you navigate your relationship with alcohol. Join our thriving community and hear the stories of others who have been exactly where you are and know what it’s like. We wish you the best and are here to support you every step of the way.

Summing Up

All in all, deciding to take a break from booze — especially if Librium is in the picture — might open up exciting new possibilities. Let’s not look at it as deprivation and instead get curious about exploring life beyond booze. There’s so much to discover!