Specialized treatment facilities such as Agape Treatment Center offer treatment programs designed to address multiple substance abuse issues concurrently. Additionally, should there be a mental health concern as well, that can also be addressed with co-occurring disorder treatment. On its own, the liver plays a vital role in metabolizing both alcohol and pain medication. However, combining the two can put a significant strain on the liver often resulting in some of either the alcohol or the pain medication going unmetabolized. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms after mixing alcohol and medications, seek medical help immediately.
The Long-Term Effects of Mixing Drugs and Alcohol
Regularly drinking alcohol while taking pain pills can lead to an increased tolerance of both substances. This, in turn, can lead to having to take more of the pain pills than prescribed, also increasing the risk of an overdose. As we touched on in the intro, both pain pills and alcohol share similar effects. This is because both substances significantly impact the body’s central nervous system (CNS). When combined, it can cause the CNS to go into a state of shock, resulting in the potential for slowed breathing, impaired coordination, and even loss of consciousness.
Medicines may have many ingredients
Together, alcohol and antihistamines can cause sedation, dizziness, and coordination problems. Mixing these substances can also cause rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and an increased risk of overdose. Depending on the medication’s half-life and metabolism rate, the time it would be safe to consume alcohol could vary. mixing alcohol and pills Discuss this timing with your healthcare provider to ensure you’re not inadvertently compromising your treatment or putting yourself at risk.
- The combination of medication and alcohol can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death.
- It’s essential to remember that combining any prescription drugs with alcohol can have adverse effects.
- More intense side effects mean you might be more impaired after having one drink than you would typically be.
- Enough that it can challenge the cardiovascular system by producing severely high heart rates if consumed in excessive amounts.
- Yes, alcohol interacts with both first-generation (older group of antihistamines) and second-generation antihistamines (newer, less sedating group of anthistamines).
- So, when it comes to taking prescription drugs, it’s important to be safe and avoid mixing them with alcohol to prevent any nasty effects.
When to Seek Help for Prescription Medication and Alcohol Addiction
It is a potent first-generation antihistamine that can cause drowsiness. Taking alcohol with Benadryl can increase the sedating Twelve-step program effect and drowsiness and even lead to the danger of overdosing. It’s vital to know that drinking alcohol when using Warfarin can cause bleeding, which can be very bad. Tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you take, to avoid dangerous interactions. The sedative effect may become stronger, leading to drowsiness and bad decision-making. Plus, alcohol can reduce the power of antidepressants to treat depression and anxiety.
Combining alcohol with some medicines can lead to falls and serious injuries, especially among older people. Medications typically are safe and effective when used appropriately. Your pharmacist or other health care provider can help you determine which medications interact harmfully with alcohol. Narcan (naloxone hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist—a medication that can help counteract the effects of opioid medications such as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. Naloxone can rapidly reverse opioid overdose by quickly restoring normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to mixing opioid pain medications with alcohol.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 10% of people in the USA mix alcohol with medicines that can cause harm.
- For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Teens and young adults are at higher risk for misusing prescriptions and alcohol due to peer pressure, stress, and easy access to substances.
Antihistamines and Alcohol: Possible Side Effects and Interactions
Additionally, drinking alcohol can also make the side effects of a medication worse or even cause new symptoms. This is especially true if you are taking a medication that makes you sleepy or causes sedation. More intense side effects mean you might be more impaired after having one drink than you would typically be.
Stop Overdose
Research suggests that about 20% of adults in the United States mix alcohol with prescriptions. This concerning statistic emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential dangers of such behavior. The second type of interaction happens when alcohol and medication reinforce or suppress each other’s effects. For instance, alcohol can amplify the sedative action of some medicines, causing sleepiness or lack of coordination. Alcohol enters the bloodstream through stomach and small intestine, affecting different organs such as liver, brain, and heart. When taken with medication, alcohol can hinder drug absorption, alter metabolic pathways, and cause toxicity or other bad outcomes.
These days, the most common antidepressant drugs prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by maintaining neurotransmitter levels and aid in mood regulation. The best-known SSRI antidepressants include those drugs marketed under the brand names Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro and Zoloft. These drugs are used for treating moderate to severe pain and were originally derived from the poppy plant. Opioids are often abused by those seeking to get high, and are extremely addictive.
Benzodiazepines: A Potentially Fatal Combination
Drugs and alcohol together can make you dizzy, mess with your coordination, and even lead to an overdose. If you’re feeling confused, uncoordinated or short of breath, you should seek emergency medical care. If you’re around someone who has used alcohol or benzodiazepines and you observe these signs — or if they’re difficult or impossible to wake up — call emergency services, too. “Alcohol increases many of the effects of benzodiazepines, and this can lead to worsened sedation, balance, reaction time and motor coordination,” clarifies Dr. Snyder.
