drinking alcohol after taking valium...?

[Sandy]

I have recently developed a habit of taking 5-10mg of Diazepam (Valium), then drinking a few glasses of wine. I like the way it makes me feel and it lets me "escape" from everything I have been dealing with lately. But I am now having the desire to increase it. I've been told that mixing alcohol with other depressants (i'm also on Prozac) is dangerous, but I have always been fine. I'm wondering though, if that would change if I were to start drinking like a whole bottle of wine after taking 15/20mg of diazepam (as opposed to 10mg) Would it be dangerous/fatal or just give me a good night's sleep? If it is really that dangerous, can anyone explain to me why?

Also, does it make a difference that I'm 5'8 and only weigh about 105lbs? I wonder if my tolerance isn't as high as someone who is at a healthy weight...or maybe it doesn't matter. I dunno.
In response to luvacat3: so is drinking just one bottle of wine considered alcohol abuse? Or is it the intention that's behind it? It's hard to believe that just that amount could cause damage b/c it doesn't seem like a lot to me (esp compared to an OD) But don't get me wrong, I really appreciate you taking the time to provide an answer and providing another perspective =)

[nickipettis]

the valium will make you more sensitive to the effects of alcohol - you will get drunk faster and with less alcohol. Among other things, you could pass out, throw up while passed out and choke to death on vomit. that might not kill you, but might damage your lungs so severely that you lost lots of lung function, like an 80 year old with emphysema.

Or cut off oxygen to the brain long enough for you to loose all brain function, but still be technically alive.

[gardensallday]

You're abusing alcohol. Keep on this track, and you will become an alcoholic, and that is a lifetime problem. Both alcohol and valium are depressants, and when you combine them, they are more powerful than either alone. The combo can sedate you so much that it suppresses breathing, meaning your brain part that controls breathing is so sedated, you just stop breathing and die.

You are self medicating, and abusing alcohol, you need to tell you doc this and ask for help.

[Dr Alex]

Hi snady

I think You better stop that habit ant try to see a psychiatrist or adviser if You feel You have problems with Your life that You can handle ( I think this is why You came to diazepam and alcohol )

The reason that they say You shouldnt take diazepam or .. with alcohol is that alcohol decreases the liver enzyme levels that clear the diazepam from blood and keeps the diazema in higher levels in blood . what happens next ? It might cause a drug toxic level in blood and it is dangerous .

About Your need of taking more diazepam ; it is Tolerance . Tolerance has nothing to do with Your age or weight or ... . when You use a certain drug for a long time , Your body starts to show less reaction to that amount ; so You feel You have to take more amount of drug to keep the same effect like before . and it will go up and up .

Listen to me ; go away from alcohol and diazepam ( because soon they will be a problem worse than the one ; are trying to escape from right now ) and go to a psychiatrist to get help dealing with your life and Your problems .