What Does “Crossfaded” Mean? The Danger of Mixing Substances

“Cross-fading” means getting drunk and high at the same time by mixing alcohol and cannabis. This combination significantly increases the risk of anxiety, vomiting, overdose, alcohol poisoning, and accidents (e.g., car wrecks, falls). 

According to the CDC, around 18.2% of youth have reported being crossfaded. The numbers for adult use are unknown, but the behavior of mixing alcohol and cannabis spans across ages and settings[1]. 

Mixing depressants such as alcohol and psychoactive drugs like cannabis can cause multiple impairments and increase unpredictability. This increases the risk of symptoms such as panic attacks, vomiting, and unsafe decision-making, like unprotected sex or driving under the influence. 

What Does “Crossfaded” Mean? (Definition & Origin) 

“Crossfaded” is a slang term that originated in youth culture to describe getting drunk and high at the same time. It’s a common practice among young people, particularly on college campuses, at music festivals, and during concerts. 

The combo of alcohol and cannabis can amplify typical symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness, and vomiting. It also complicates judgment about “how high/drunk” you are, which can lead to riskier choices [1].

What Does Being Crossfaded Feel Like?

People often report a fast shift from feeling buzzed or euphoric to drunk, and then often blacking out or greening out. Many describe spinning rooms, a slowed reaction time, poor coordination, gaps in memory, and a racing heart. 

Many users report “weed after booze” hits harder. Alcohol can enhance gut absorption of THC and intensify adverse effects like dizziness and nausea; the reverse order can still be impairing but is often reported as less overwhelming, though still risky [2]. 

Drunk vs. High vs. Crossfaded

​​Why Mixing Alcohol and Weed Is Risky (How They Interact)

THC and alcohol together impair cognition and motor skills more than either alone. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down activity in the brain and central nervous system. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors and slows down the brain even more. This creates a cycle where both substances increase the effects of each other [2].
Alcohol then speeds up the absorption of THC to increase and prolong the effects of cannabis. Some of the most significant risks of crossfading include: 

• Inability to vomit. THC can suppress the gag reflex, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning [3]. 
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and overall strain on the heart. 
• Intense dizziness, nausea, fainting, and sometimes dehydration. 
• Memory loss and poor decision-making can lead to increased accidents, assault, violence, and blacking out. 
• Increased risk of “greening out” (e.g, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and vomiting caused by too much cannabis) 
• Increased risk of long-term neurological damage affecting memory, attention span, and impulse control. 

Frequent crossfading may signal heavier use patterns, growing tolerance, and polysubstance habits. It can worsen mental health symptoms in some people and increase the odds of moving from casual to problematic use.
If mixing becomes routine or leads to problems at school, work, in your legal affairs, or in your relationships, it could be helpful to schedule an evaluation. 

Harm-Reduction Tips and When to Seek Help

Mixing alcohol and cannabis is never safe, but a few ways to reduce harm if you or someone you know is getting crossfaded include: 

• Don’t drive—ever. Plan a sober ride before using.
• Avoid high-THC concentrates and high-proof alcohol together.
• Be mindful of the order: alcohol first often intensifies later cannabis effects.
• Hydrate, eat beforehand, and don’t mix with other drugs or sedating meds.
• Stay with trusted friends, know local emergency numbers. 

Treatment Options at AnchorPoint

At AnchorPoint, we bridge faith and science with our approach, NeuroFaith™, to improve clinical treatment outcomes of those recovering from alcohol addiction, cannabis abuse, and other substance use disorders. 
Our therapeutic approaches are guided by faith-based clinicians with the power of lived recovery experience. Some of our treatment options include: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps reframe thoughts that drive substance abuse and develop coping skills to manage stress, triggers, or temptations for use, especially in settings where alcohol or cannabis are present. 

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-informed therapy that uses guided eye movements to stimulate regions of the brain that store deep trauma and reduce emotional distress. 

• HeartMath™ is a clinical approach for reducing stress and improving the heart-brain connection [4]. 

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps patients identify multiple “sub-personalities” or “families” in each person’s mental system that often consist of painful emotions or trauma wounds, focusing on integrating these parts into the core self. 

We are dedicated to combining innovative, evidence-based therapies with the power of faith and the teachings of Christ to help guide those on their recovery path from addiction. Contact our admissions team today. 

FAQs: Crossfaded Meaning & Safety

What is crossfading?

A term often referenced by young adults and youth for being drunk and high at the same time, usually alcohol and cannabis.

Is getting cross-faded more dangerous than using either alone? 

Yes. The combo amplifies impairment, anxiety, vomiting, and crash risk. 

What does being crossfaded feel like?

Often woozy and off-balance, euphoria can flip to anxiety/panic with nausea or vomiting and poor coordination. 

How long does it last? 

It varies by dose, tolerance, and route. The more alcohol you drink and the higher the level of THC, the more intense and prolonged the effects will be.   

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