For many people, especially young adults, experimenting with different substances can feel like a rite of passage. Among the more common trends is the simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana, a combination referred to as being “crossfaded” or “cross-faded.” While the term might sound casual or even humorous in pop culture, crossfading involves mixing two powerful substances that interact in unpredictable and potentially harmful ways.
This article explores what it means to be crossfaded, the physical and cognitive effects, and the mental health risks associated with using alcohol and marijuana simultaneously. We also take a deeper look at why crossfading is particularly dangerous for individuals with underlying mental health conditions and where to find professional help if you or someone you love is struggling.
What Does “Crossfaded” Mean?
To be crossfaded means to be under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana at the same time. People may drink alcohol and smoke marijuana, vape it, or consume it in edible form. The combined effects of these two substances can lead to an intensified intoxication, commonly described as feeling both “drunk and high.”
But being crossfaded is not just a stronger version of either experience. Alcohol and marijuana affect the body and brain differently, and when mixed together, they can cause a synergistic reaction that amplifies both the physical and psychological effects.
How Common Is Cross Fading? A Look at Rates of Alcohol and Marijuana Use in the U.S.
Crossfading is especially prevalent among young adults and teenagers, particularly in social settings or under the influence of peer pressure. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 14.2 million people aged 12 or older reported using both alcohol and marijuana in the past month (NSDUH, 2023).
Among college students, crossfading is increasingly normalized despite the serious health risks associated with mixing substances.
Why Do People Mix Alcohol and Marijuana?
There are several reasons people choose to combine alcohol and marijuana:
- To intensify feelings of euphoria
- To enhance social experiences
- To reduce anxiety in social settings (which often backfires)
- Out of curiosity or pressure to experiment
- To prolong the effects of one or both substances
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the risks. For those who may already be living with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, the mental effects of being crossfaded can be far more severe.
Physical and Cognitive Effects of Being Cross Faded
The effects of crossfading vary widely depending on body weight, tolerance, how much of each substance is consumed, and how quickly they are used together. However, several common symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Memory impairment
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination and motor skills
- Blurry vision
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased anxiety or panic attacks
- Paranoia or hallucinations
These symptoms are amplified by the interaction between alcohol and THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. This is largely due to how alcohol increases the absorption of THC, leading to intensified effects on the brain’s cannabinoid receptors and more severe impairment of cognitive function.
The Central Nervous System and Crossfading
Both alcohol and marijuana are central nervous system depressants. When taken together, they can significantly slow down brain function, affect blood flow, and impair the body’s ability to regulate itself. This can result in:
- Impaired judgment
- Lowered inhibitions
- Poor decision-making
- Higher likelihood of risky behaviors
In some cases, individuals who are crossfaded may lose consciousness or experience alcohol poisoning, particularly if they are also binge drinking.
The Mental Health Risks of Crossfading
For individuals with underlying mental health conditions, the effects of crossfading can be especially dangerous. Alcohol and marijuana use can disrupt the delicate balance of brain chemistry that mental health medications aim to stabilize.
Mixing substances may:
- Intensify symptoms of anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder
- Trigger panic attacks
- Worsen paranoia
- Lead to emotional volatility
- Interfere with medication-assisted treatment for certain conditions
Additionally, developing dependence on either substance—especially when used together—can increase the risk of dual diagnosis (a mental health disorder combined with substance use disorder), which is more complex to treat.
Physical Risks and Long-Term Effects of Getting Crossfaded
Repeated crossfading can also result in serious physical health issues, including:
- Liver damage (from chronic alcohol use)
- Respiratory problems (from smoking marijuana)
- Heart strain
- Disruption of sleep cycles
- Increased risk of accidents or injury due to severe impairment
The unpredictable nature of how the two substances interact means that even people with experience using one or both can find themselves overwhelmed or in danger. Crossfading is not safer than using a single drug—it’s riskier in nearly every measurable way.
How Crossfading Affects Sleep, Memory, and Daily Life
Being crossfaded can have a significant impact on daily functioning, even if the experience is short-lived. Users often report:
- Cognitive fog
- Difficulty waking up
- Memory lapses
- Lack of motivation
- Sleep disruption
- Emotional instability
For students, professionals, or anyone trying to manage mental health, these effects can snowball quickly. Even occasional crossfading can impact performance, relationships, and self-esteem.
When to Seek Help for Drug Addiction
If you or someone you care about is regularly mixing alcohol and marijuana, it may be a sign of substance abuse or an attempt to self-medicate a mental health issue. It’s important to recognize that using multiple substances simultaneously increases the risk of developing dependence, experiencing negative effects, and needing clinical intervention.
Signs it’s time to seek help:
- You feel like you need both substances to relax or socialize.
- You’ve experienced blackouts, panic attacks, or health scares while crossfaded.
- Your mental health symptoms worsen after using.
- You’re isolating from loved ones or neglecting responsibilities.
- You’ve tried to cut back or quit, but can’t.
Getting Treatment and What to Expect
Treatment for crossfading behavior often involves addressing both the substance use and the underlying mental health conditions driving it. Treatment may include:
- Therapy (CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care)
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Integrated dual diagnosis treatment
- Support groups (such as SMART Recovery or 12-step programs)
- Holistic approaches (nutrition, exercise, mindfulness)
Always consult with a healthcare professional who is experienced in substance use and mental health. Recovery is not just about quitting substances—it’s about building a life where you don’t feel the need to escape through them.
If you’re struggling with marijuana addiction, alcoholism, or crossfading, or know someone who is, you are not alone. Help is available at Moving Mountains Recovery. Here, recovery is possible. Reach out to us today to speak with an admissions counselor about your treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Getting Drunk and High
1. Can crossfading interfere with prescribed medications?
Absolutely. Mixing alcohol and marijuana can interact negatively with many mental health medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics. These interactions can reduce medication effectiveness or cause adverse reactions, including increased sedation, mood swings, or dangerous spikes in blood pressure.
2. Is it possible to develop a tolerance to being crossfaded?
While people may feel they “get used to it,” developing tolerance to the combined effects of alcohol and marijuana doesn’t reduce the health risks. In fact, tolerance can lead to using larger amounts, which increases the chances of dependence, long-term cognitive decline, and other complications.
3. How can I talk to a friend or loved one about their crossfading habit?
Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment. Focus on your concern for their well-being, not just their behavior. Use open-ended questions like, “Have you noticed how mixing substances affects your mood afterward?” and encourage them to consider how it may relate to their mental health or stress levels. Offer to help them connect with professional support, but avoid ultimatums or shaming language.
4. Is crossfading ever safe in moderation?
There’s no definitive “safe” amount of combining substances–especially when you’re dealing with an illicit or unregulated drug like marijuana. Its potency can vary across strains, so the effects and intensity of those effects can vary.
Even low doses of alcohol and marijuana taken together can have unpredictable effects. The intensity of impairment can vary with each use, and what feels manageable one day might lead to serious health consequences the next. Especially for those with a history of mental health conditions, crossfading is never risk-free.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Releases
- National Institute of Health (NIH): The effects of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use on subjective drug effects: A narrative review across methodologies
- Journal of Cannabis Research: Frequency of cannabis use and alcohol-associated adverse effects in a representative sample of U.S. adolescents and youth (2002–2014) a cross-sectional study
