Effect of alcohol + benzos on liver?

Question

What are the known risks of self-administering ethanol and benzodiazepines simultaneously?

Obviously we know it may lead to respiratory depression (possibly followed by death), decreased consciousness, impacted decision-making ability, lengthened reaction time etc. So clearly it's very bad for you.

But does it also cause liver damage. If so, why? Anything else not mentioned above?

Answer 1

long teerm alcohol use will cause cirrhosis or liver damage. benzodiazepines are not known to cause liver dysfunction. acute administration of both alcohol and benzos won't cause any more liver dysfunction than if you just consumed the alcohol. the danger in combining them is that they are syngergistic in terms of those side effects you mention like repiratory depression and decreased level of consciousness.

Answer 2

When combining Benzodiazepines with alcohol they cause unconsciousness and possibly even death.
Other Dangerous signs when combined with Alcohol:
slurred speech/confusion, severe drowsiness, staggering, and profound weakness. This is because Alcohol and Benzodiazepines have a synergistic effect on the CNS.

Benzodiazepines are not known to cause Liver damage but alcohol does. Alcohol causes liver damage so even combining it with benzodiazepines still causes liver damage because your liver does MOST of the job in breaking down alcohol and it is able to absorb toxins which in turn causes Liver Damage.

Answer 3

Almost all drugs, alcohol is included, cause stress or damage to the liver.