Mixing benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin  with alcohol is considered very unsafe. The effects of benzodiazepines are similar to the effects of alcohol, and the combination has many risks including death. Both bind to GABA receptors in the brain and nervous system. Effects include dizziness, confusion, disorientation, memory problems, falls, trouble breathing, stopping breathing completely. In addition to effects while intoxicated with the substances, there are dangers effects from suddenly stopping benzodiazepines and/or alcohol if taken daily for a period of time. The withdrawal of the substances can lead to shaking, anxiety, heart racing, seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens and death. Just as with alcohol, many people, notice that small amounts or very infrequent use of benzodiazepines can be helpful but large amounts, or taken with other sedaitng substances, or taken too often for long periods of time can lead to a risk of addiction and/or emotional and/or physical dependency. Always talk to your doctor first before stopping, starting or changing medications. This is not medical advice and for informational purposes only. 

Carbamazepine is an anti-seizure medication. It is used to help control seizures for many people that suffer from seizures (also known as "fits" by some cultures.) Though it is an anti-epileptic, (treatment of epilepsy disorder) it is also used to treat Bipolar Disorder. As a Psychiatrist we often use this medication to help keep Bipolar symptoms under the radar. You may also recognized it by the brand names: Tegretol and Equetro in the U.S. 

It's important to see your doctor or Psychiatrist (whom is an MD or DO) after he/she prescribes you Carbamazepine. It's important because it has a very unique quality, called "autoinduction." This happens about 2-4 weeks after you start the medication. What does it mean? Well it's a fancy word to describe the medicine making itself change or get used up faster. This means though it may be effective in your blood for 24 hours the first 2 weeks you are taking the medication, it might quicken to being used up in just 8 hours. This means the medication isn't working they way it should after the 8th hour, like it had originally. This is a known phenomenon of Carbamazepine, and your doctor will likely try test the level or amount of Carbamazepine in your blood throughout the first month you are using it, to help adjust the dosing in response to "autoinduction." Once the dose is adjusted it can be expected to work as it was the first two weeks and there-after. Interestingly, this effect can influence other medications and your doctor will take this into consideration when deciding if Carbamazepine is the right choice for you.