Drugs and alcohol are addictive and dangerous substances, but they can become even more so when you mix them. This is what’s known as crossfading. If you are struggling with an addiction, turn to our substance abuse treatment options by calling BlueCrest Recovery at 888.292.9652 or contacting us online and learning exactly what crossfading is.
What Is Crossfading?
The term “crossfading” has become more popular recently, especially among young adults, to describe the mixing of drugs like marijuana and alcohol. By combining two substances, the effects of both increase. Although crossfading originally only referred to combining marijuana with alcohol, it now also encompasses the mixing of any drug with alcohol.
Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, slowing down your neural activity. Marijuana has depressant, hallucinogenic, and stimulant effects because of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main cannabinoid found in the plant. A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. When mixing these substances, the effects can be unpredictable and even deadly.
When you smoke marijuana and drink alcohol at the same time, the THC levels spike, leading to:
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Impaired motor functions
- Impaired decision-making skills
- Memory problems
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Crossfading puts a lot of strain on your body, elevating your blood pressure or dangerously dropping it every time you stand. Sometimes, it can cause the feeling of having a panic attack. As with other substances, your body quickly gets used to functioning with marijuana and alcohol, leading you to need to consume more to get the same level of high. That can put you at risk of overdosing.
About Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
At our treatment center, we offer help for people who are struggling with addiction of all kinds, including those related to crossfading. We offer a variety of programs, with our most intensive option being our partial hospitalization program (PHP).
PHP is one of the best options for those just starting their recovery process. It provides a high level of care, but it doesn’t require that you remain at our facilities overnight. This is a good option for people who can’t leave their families, jobs, or other responsibilities behind. Another option we offer is our intensive outpatient program (IOP). This program requires fewer treatment hours each week, but it still provides the kind of support you need to remain sober. The next level down is our outpatient treatment program. It offers the chance to maintain your daily life while having individual and group therapy sessions available.
We also offer aftercare services to help you remain on track with your recovery even after you leave a treatment program. Our aftercare services provide practical and emotional guidance, as well as additional resources to help prevent relapses.
All of our programs include individual therapy sessions. These sessions dig into the underlying cause of the addiction while also helping with any other mental health conditions you may have. We use evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Because we know addiction is isolating, we also provide group therapy sessions. These allow you to meet others who are also struggling with addiction, making it possible for you to learn about the experiences others have had on their journey to sobriety.
We encourage clients to participate in 12-step programs as well. These support groups can become crucial when you complete treatment and return to your daily life.
Enroll in Substance Abuse Treatment at BlueCrest Recovery
If you have an addiction to marijuana, alcohol, or other drugs, or if you engage in crossfading, turn to us to begin your recovery. At BlueCrest Recovery, we know how tough it is to take this first vital step, and we are here to guide you. Contact BlueCrest Recovery online or call 888.292.9652 today to learn more about the programs we offer.
