Marijuana and Alcohol (Cross-Faded)

Understanding the Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana

Alcohol and cannabis are both “downers,” meaning they depress your central nervous system.

After drinking alcohol, it enters your bloodstream through the stomach lining. From there, it activates the reward system in your brain and releases hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

Drinking a high amount of alcohol makes you intoxicated with effects like: 

• Slurred speech
• Loss of balance or motor skills
• Impaired memory
• Change in heart rate or blood pressure
• Poor judgment and reasoning
• Risk-taking behavior

Marijuana use causes a “high” thanks to the active plant compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When you smoke marijuana, THC passes from your lungs directly into the bloodstream, where it binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain to create psychoactive effects.

Marijuana can cause effects like:  

• Slowed reaction times
• Poor coordination
• Lack of motivation
• Impaired thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving

Alcohol can cause physical dependence, but cannabis doesn’t. Both alcohol and marijuana have addictive properties and can result in separate substance abuse disorders, alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Combined Substance Use: The Cross-Fade Experience

Cross-fading isn’t inherently life-threatening, but it can heighten the dangerous effects of substance abuse.

The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, ethanol, can intensify the effects of THC. In other words, cross-fading can increase the “high” from marijuana. Add drunkenness into the mix, and this added level of intoxication may lead to more adverse effects.

Risks and Dangers of Cross-Fading

Mixing substances doesn’t just change how your body feels—it also increases the chances of something going wrong. The effects of alcohol and marijuana can compound each other in unpredictable ways, especially when it comes to judgment, coordination, and mental state.

Some of the biggest risks associated with being cross-faded include: 

• Blackouts: Cross-fading can cause more intense cognitive effects and may increase the chances of losing your memory or blacking out.
• Higher risk-taking: Cross-fading is linked to partaking in risky behaviors, like driving under the influence. 2020 data from the Colorado Department of Transportation found that 75% of drivers with THC in their system also had another substance present, with alcohol being the most common.
• Higher rates of alcohol dependence: Some research indicates that marijuana-dependent drinkers are three times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than drinkers who don’t use marijuana.
• Binge drinking: Co-abuse of alcohol and marijuana is associated with consuming higher amounts of alcohol. One 2018 study among veterans who reported both cannabis and alcohol use found that heavy drinking was more likely to occur on days when cannabis was also used, especially among people with both AUD and CUD.

When to Seek Help

Not everyone who uses alcohol and cannabis together struggles with addiction, but regular cross-fading can sometimes mask deeper issues. Over time, mixing substances can lead to physical dependence, emotional distress, or a growing inability to stop, even when it’s causing problems.

If you’re starting to feel out of control or if someone you care about seems caught in a pattern of cross-fading, it may be time to seek support.

Look for signs like:

• Neglecting daily responsibilities in favor of drinking or smoking
• Declining work or school performance
• Building a tolerance (needing more marijuana or alcohol to get the same effects)
• Continuing to drink or smoke despite negative health effects, like respiratory problems or mental health concerns
• Drinking or smoking under the legal age

CBD and Alcohol Abuse

It’s important to note that some plant compounds in cannabis may reduce alcohol-seeking behaviors.

For example, cannabidiol (CBD) doesn’t cause a high and is associated with lower stress levels, which might help with stress-related drinking.

Animal studies also connect CBD to lower alcohol consumption, which may pave the way for CBD as a potential treatment for people with AUD. However, more human studies are needed to confirm these effects.

You can consume CBD by itself in products like oils or gummies, and it’s legal to buy in all 50 states, although some products may contain trace amounts of THC. Always consult your doctor before adding supplements like CBD to your routine, especially if you have a history of CUD.

Get Help for Cross-Fading and Treat Alcohol and Marijuana Addiction

If you or someone you know cross-fades and shows other signs of addictive behavior, resources are available to address polysubstance abuse. Ask your primary care provider about addiction treatment resources in your area, or find treatment centers online with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s online treatment finder.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.