Being Drunk and High (Getting Crossed): What Really Happens When You Mix Cannabis and Alcohol

What does “being drunk and high” mean?

It refers to the overlapping effects of alcohol and cannabis used together, also called getting crossed or cross-faded.

Why does mixing cannabis and alcohol feel so intense?

Alcohol can raise THC levels in the blood, which intensifies the high and leads to stronger impairment.

What are common short-term effects of getting crossed?

People often experience dizziness, nausea, anxiety, confusion, or “the spins.”

Is it dangerous to mix cannabis and alcohol?

Yes. Mixing increases risks like alcohol poisoning, impaired driving, accidents, and higher chances of developing a substance use disorder.

Why the combo hits harder

Both alcohol and THC affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time through different pathways. When combined, the impairing effects tend to add up, and often multiply. The CDC explicitly notes that using alcohol and cannabis together is likely to produce greater impairment than either alone.

Alcohol first vs. cannabis first

• Human lab work shows that drinking before using cannabis can raise THC levels in blood, which can intensify the high. That’s one reason the experience may feel suddenly overwhelming after “just a couple of puffs.”

• Observational studies suggest cannabis first is often associated with less alcohol consumed that day, while alcohol firstpredicts more drinking overall, but results vary and aren’t randomized.

Edibles complicate things

Edibles have a delayed onset (up to ~2 hours), so people may “stack” drinks or doses, overshoot, and get far more intoxicated than intended once everything finally hits.

Short‑term effects you might feel (and why)

Being crossed can bring on nausea, sweating, dizziness, anxiety, confusion, and the “spins.” Many people call a bad reaction to too much THC a “green out.” While cannabis alone rarely causes life‑threatening overdose, alcohol poisoning can be fatal, and mixing can make it harder to notice warning signs.

Red‑flag symptoms that need urgent help

Call emergency services if someone has mental confusion, repeated vomiting, slow/irregular breathing, seizures, or can’t be awakened, classic signs of alcohol poisoning. The safest choice is not to mix, but if a crisis happens, don’t hesitate to call for help.

Mental health and longer‑term risks

Using alcohol and cannabis together isn’t just about one rough night. Regular co‑use is associated with poorer attention and memory, more severe negative consequences, and higher odds of developing a substance use disorder compared with using either substance alone. If you’re using to cope with stress, anxiety, or low mood, that risk tends to climb.

Driving risk: why crossing and cars do not mix

Simultaneous alcohol/cannabis use is consistently linked with much higher odds of impaired driving. A large national study found that, compared to alcohol alone, simultaneous use roughly doubled the odds of drunk driving and other harms; other analyses show even higher risk. Don’t drive, ever, after mixing.

What is it called when you are drunk and high at the same time?

The common term is getting crossed or being cross-faded. It refers to mixing cannabis and alcohol and feeling both effects at once.

What happens if you’re both drunk and high?

Mixing cannabis and alcohol often intensifies impairment, leading to dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and higher risk of alcohol poisoning.

What happens if you get high and then drunk?

The order matters, using alcohol after cannabis can still impair judgment, but drinking before cannabis often increases THC levels and makes the high feel much stronger.

What to do if someone is drunk and high?

Stay with them, keep them safe and hydrated, and seek medical help if they show signs of alcohol poisoning like vomiting, confusion, or slow breathing.

What does it mean to get crossed?

Getting crossed means being drunk and high simultaneously. It usually describes the overlap of alcohol and cannabis effects.

What happens if I crossfade?

Crossfading can cause nausea, dizziness, panic, and an increased likelihood of risky behavior such as impaired driving.

What drugs should you not mix with alcohol?

Beyond cannabis, alcohol should not be mixed with prescription sedatives, opioids, or stimulants because of dangerous interactions.

Is it bad to drink alcohol and take edibles?

Yes. Since edibles have a delayed onset, people often drink more before the effects hit, which can result in overwhelming intoxication.

What happens if you smoke and drink alcohol?

Smoking cannabis while drinking alcohol heightens impairment and increases risks of accidents, poor decision-making, and potential long-term substance use problems.