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In the mornings, how often do you blink and realize you somehow made it through half of your normal routine without even thinking about it?
As humans, we are pretty good at doing routine behaviors on autopilot. They can become so normal to us that we forget if we even did them.
This is often what happens when someone mixes antidepressants and alcohol. They forgot that the medication was in their system and that drinking when medicated can lead to side effects.
Here at Serenity Lane, we’ve seen many instances where two different substances were mixed and the outcomes that can happen because of it. If you’re one of the 35% of adults who are dealing with symptoms of depression in Oregon, and if you’re the average Oregonian who has nearly 2 drinks of alcohol a day, this situation might apply to you. To help our community make more informed decisions about their health, we’re going to talk about antidepressants and alcohol, and what that combination can lead to.
On the list of substances and medications that are commonly used outside of medical advice, antidepressant misuse isn’t very common. This doesn’t mean it can’t happen, however. What this does lend to is how the mixing of alcohol and antidepressants is often unintentional.
This ties back to what we touched on in the beginning. When on antidepressants, the use of alcohol is not encouraged. It can make the medication ineffective or lead to risky side effects. If someone is managing depression, they might still seek out alcohol as a way to help, or they might forget that they’re not supposed to engage with alcohol while on medication. Other times, someone might not want their medication to “get in the way” of them “living their life,” so they ignore the doctor’s orders and drink anyway.
In some instances, someone might intentionally combine alcohol and antidepressants, even when they don’t have a prescription. This is because of the effects that come from it. Alcohol is a form of depressant, meaning it does the opposite of what an antidepressant does. People take the two together in order to counteract the effects of each other.
Polysubstance use refers to when someone has two or more substances in their body at the same time. This can happen both intentionally or unintentionally.
A good example of unintentional polysubstance use is when someone drinks when on a prescription medication. Intentional polysubstance use, on the other hand, is when someone actively takes more than one substance in a short period, normally seeking specific effects from the combination.
The combination of alcohol and other substances can have a wide variety of side effects. There are many different types of prescription medications that recommend you do not drink while taking them. This is because alcohol can either cause negative side effects or neutralize the medication altogether. In some cases, this neutralization can lead to even more serious side effects depending on what the medication is helping your body do or not do.
In the case of antidepressants, you have a higher risk of experiencing alcohol poisoning when you drink while on them. This is because of the counter effects provided by the antidepressants. They cancel out many of the depressant effects of alcohol, which can lead you to falsely believe you’re less intoxicated than you actually are.
No matter the side effects you’re experiencing, your body can only handle and process substances at a certain rate. This means that even if you’re not feeling your usual side effects from the alcohol you consumed, you still would have the same blood alcohol content level. If you drink more in order to try and experience the effects you want, you run a risk of overloading your system.
If you started drinking while on medication and realized you weren’t supposed to, stop drinking, but don’t stop taking your medication as normal. If you’re concerned about the potential side effects that could occur because of this, don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor.
Knowing how to spot the signs of alcohol and antidepressant use can help you prevent something more serious from occurring. While not everyone will experience the same side effects, here are some of the most common ones that you might encounter:
If you start noticing these signs in yourself or a loved one, your safest option is to stop drinking and continue to monitor their side effects. If you feel uncertain of their well-being at any time, don’t hesitate to call for medical help.
Mixing substances is never safe, even if one is approved by a doctor and the other is legal to consume, like alcohol. You don’t know the exact effects mixing them can have on your body. In some instances, even if the “mild” outcome is that your medication ceases to work, this in and of itself can be deadly – depending on the medication.
The biggest risk that comes from mixing alcohol and antidepressants is the increased risk of alcohol poisoning or overdose. Overdosing occurs when your body has too much of a substance (or substances) in it than it can handle. Alcohol is toxic to the body, and medications, although safe to use, still have a threshold where they’re no longer safe.
Alcohol poisoning is a form of overdose. It’s when the body starts to shut down in response to too much alcohol being in your system. The exact threshold that this occurs at is different for every person and every circumstance. When you add antidepressants into the mix, however, it makes this threshold even lower.
If you notice someone slurring their speech, becoming unresponsive, falling unconscious, experiencing seizures, and their skin becoming tinted blue there’s a high likelihood that they’re experiencing alcohol poisoning. Call for medical help and be upfront and honest about anything else they might’ve had in their system that evening. If they’re seizing, don’t restrain them. Put them into the recovery position to help ensure they don’t choke on their own spit or vomit. Time any seizures that occur and keep an eye on their breathing as you wait for medical help to arrive.
If you or a loved one is dealing with risky behaviors surrounding the consumption of alcohol, and you’re uncertain where to turn for help, seeking treatment for alcoholism is the best first step.
In a proper treatment center, you will receive care that’s tailored to your needs. This means that if you were already engaged in treatment for your mental health with your antidepressants, the team on hand will work with your current providers to ensure your needs are still met. There are great facilities here in Oregon that offer the full continuum of care for your recovery, including ongoing support after.
Our team here at Serenity Lane offers just that. As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, we have a long history of helping people find recovery. Our team is here to support you and see you succeed. If you have any questions about our program or wish to get started today, just give us a call at 800-543-9905.
Finding serenity in long-term recovery.
How long do I need to wait after stopping antidepressants to drink alcohol?
If you take antidepressants as a medication, talk with your doctor about what level of alcohol consumption, if any, is safe. If you’ve recently stopped taking a daily or consistent antidepressant prescription, it’s safe to wait a few days before engaging with alcohol. To be certain regarding your specific dosage and medication, talk with your doctor.
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