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“Crossfading” is a common slang term used among teens to describe smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol together to increase the effects of both drugs. The term originated among youth, with several rappers popularizing the term:
“I’m crossfaded, lost in the moment. Got me feeling like I don’t know where I’m going.” —Don Toliver
Although many teens believe mixing weed and alcohol is harmless, it significantly increases the risk of several health risks, including alcohol poisoning, memory loss, and blacking out. Read on to understand more about this common practice popular in party culture and how to keep your teen safe.
Teen Slang: What Does “Crossfaded” Mean?
The term crossfaded is commonly used among teens and youth, especially on social media or in music. Interviews with young people describe cross-fading as a “vibe” to feel social at parties. Some users also report that cannabis reduces the effects of alcohol, such as nausea, while boosting the “buzz” of THC [1].
When getting crossfaded, THC and alcohol impact the brain simultaneously, increasing severe health risks such as alcohol poisoning and accidents. This is a basic rundown of how it works:
- Alcohol acts as a depressant, slowing down activity in the brain and central nervous system (CNS).
- THC binds to receptors, slowing down the brain more and increasing the effects of alcohol.
- Alcohol then speeds up the absorption of THC to increase and prolong the effects of cannabis.
- THC can suppress the ability to vomit and can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Cross-fading also increases the risk of developing an addiction. Research shows people who use cannabis and alcohol together are more likely to develop dependence [2]. Some of the effects of smoking cannabis and drinking at the same time include:
- Memory loss, blacking out
- Impaired decision-making
- Increased tolerance or cravings
- Mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks
How Long Does Being Crossfaded Last?
The length of a crossfade high depends on several factors, including how much they drank and smoked, and biological factors such as height and weight. This chart gives you a general outline to help you visualize the timeline of effects.
THC | # of Standard Drinks | Peak | Impairment Window |
Smoked/Vaped | 1-2 | 10 min | 2-3 hours |
Smoked/Vaped | 3+ | 10 min | 4-6 hours |
Edible (5-10 mg) | 1-2 | 1 h | 4-6 hours |
Edible (10mg+) | 3+ | 2 h | 6-8 hours |
Why Do Teens Experiment with Mixing Drugs?
Most teens don’t have much experience using drugs or alcohol and are often curious about trying new ways to get high. Teens may have tried alcohol or cannabis separately, but are often unaware of the increased risks of mixing the two.
Some of the most common reasons teens experiment with crossfading and polydrug use include:
Increased Effects
Combining weed and alcohol increases the effects of both drugs and intensifies the high. It can also prolong the length, which is especially appealing to teens who abuse drugs in party culture and seek longer-lasting effects.
Curiosity and a lack of impulse control also influence this, with many teens viewing crossfading as a way to increase the buzz and experience a more exciting high.
Peer Pressure
Many teens get cross-faded in social environments like parties, concerts, raves, and music festivals. Teens who see their friends getting crossfaded and having a good time are more likely to want to do the same. Also, feeling socially accepted by others is often more important for teens than thinking about the long-term risks of drug and alcohol use.
Cope with Stress or Mental Health
Some teens use cannabis or alcohol as a coping skill to relieve anxiety, academic stress, and feelings of loneliness. However, this is a less common reason teens report getting cross-faded.
Most report mixing to cope with boredom, increase the high, or hang out with friends [1].
Unaware of Risks
Many teens are unaware that mixing alcohol and cannabis can be dangerous. Cannabis is often perceived as harmless, and alcohol is highly normalized. Getting cross-faded may appear harmless, and without education, many teens continue to mix the two drugs out of ignorance.
Is It Dangerous to Drink Alcohol and Smoke at The Same Time?
Drinking and smoking at the same time greatly increases health risks and is bad for both physical and mental health. Getting cross-faded increases the risk of “greening out”. This is a slang term used to describe the intense physical and psychological effects experienced after consuming too much cannabis. Symptoms often include vomiting, dizziness, shaking, paranoia, and disorientation.
Polydrug use, like crossfading or mixing other drugs, significantly increases the risk of negative effects due to several reasons:
- Unpredictable: Drugs affect the brain and body differently; mixing them can counteract effects or increase new risks that may not usually occur.
- Increased Potency: THC and alcohol intensify the effects of one another, complicating the risks of both.
- Higher Risks of Accidents: Polydrug use is associated with increased confusion, poor judgment, and risk-taking.
- Complicates Treatment: Individuals who drink and smoke are less receptive to typical substance abuse treatment, as polydrug use can complicate detox and treatment planning.
How To Tell If Your Teen is Crossfaded
It’s important for parents and caregivers to recognize when a teen may be cross-fading—using alcohol and cannabis (weed/THC) at the same time. Mixing these substances can intensify impairment, raise the risk of alcohol poisoning, increase panic/paranoia, and make it harder for a teen to judge danger, consent, or safety. Knowing the signs of crossfading in teens is the first step before you step in with calm, supportive intervention.
Common signs a teen is crossfaded:
Memory gaps (blackouts), confusion, “spacing out,” losing track of time
Slowed reaction time and impaired judgment (risk-taking, poor decision-making)
Poor coordination (stumbling, clumsiness), delayed speech, glassy or heavy-lidded eyes
Strong mood shifts: irritability, crying spells, agitation, or unusually withdrawn behavior
Anxiety, paranoia, or panic (feeling “not real,” fear of dying, intense worry without clear cause)
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, or extreme fatigue
Signs of being overly intoxicated: falling asleep suddenly, difficulty staying awake, or not responding normally
Noticeable odor or evidence (alcohol smell, red eyes, vape/carts/edibles, bottles, gummies, breath mints used to mask)
Call emergency services if your teen has repeated vomiting, slow/irregular breathing, blue/gray lips, seizure-like activity, can’t be awakened, confusion that worsens, or has fainted. These can be signs of alcohol poisoning or severe intoxication—especially dangerous when combined with THC.
How To Talk To Your Teen About Drug Use
Helping your teen avoid unnecessary health consequences from getting crossfaded and using drugs requires open conversation and education on the risks. Here are five ways to talk to your teen about drug use and prevent further damage.
- Keep it short and sweet. Have regular, small, ongoing conversations about drug use, mental health, sex, etc, rather than just one big “talk”. This builds trust over time and makes it easier for your teen to open up.
- Establish boundaries. Be specific about the rules around drug or alcohol use in the house. Explain the consequences in a calm and kind manner, but firmly, so they get the point.
- Provide them with the facts. Share clear, age-appropriate insights into the dangers of mixing alcohol and cannabis. Talk to them about alcohol poisoning and greening out.
- Discuss peer pressure and help your teen learn to say no. Create a plan for safe exit strategies if they are in an environment with drugs and alcohol, and emphasize that they can call you during times of need without fear of punishment.
- Talk about your own experiences in the past if you have any. Most parents have a story or two about a time when they were a teen and did something stupid. Use humor to relate with them and model that while getting high is something that many teens try, it can quickly turn into a dangerous pattern.
Drug & Alcohol Treatment for Teens in Texas
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our licensed and accredited facilities are dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth.
We provide a combination of evidence-based treatments for teens recovering from polysubstance abuse and offer several levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP). Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.
Sources
[1] Weck, J. 2025. What was the vibe you were going for?” SAM Behaviors and Socialization During the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Qualitative Approach. Research Society of Marijuana.
[2] Kerr, W. et al. (2015). Simultaneous versus concurrent use of alcohol and cannabis in the National Alcohol Survey. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 39(5), 872–879.
Mike Carter, LCDC
Alumni Relations Manager
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
