Anxiety Meds And Alcohol: What's Safe To Mix?

Alcohol is a depressant that can temporarily reduce anxiety. However, drinking alcohol to cope with anxiety can lead to a drinking problem and worsen anxiety over time. It is important to understand the risks of combining alcohol with anxiety medications, as certain combinations can be harmful and even deadly. For example, mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol can lead to respiratory depression and lethal overdoses. When taking medication for anxiety, it is generally recommended to avoid or limit alcohol consumption.

Alcohol increases anxiety

Alcohol can induce panic because of its effects on GABA, a chemical in the brain that has a relaxing effect. Small amounts of alcohol can stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation, but heavy drinking can deplete GABA, causing increased tension and feelings of panic.

Drinking alcohol can also lead to interrupted sleep, which can make feelings of anxiety and depression worse. In addition, long-term alcohol abuse can lead to other mental health problems and chronic physical health problems, such as liver disease, which may cause even more anxiety.

If you are prone to anxiety, drinking alcohol can create a vicious cycle. You may initially feel calm as the alcohol affects your brain, but as the effects wear off, you may feel anxious as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. This may drive you to drink again to relieve your anxiety. Over time, this cycle can lead to alcohol dependence and worsening mental health.

If you are experiencing anxiety, it is important to avoid using alcohol to self-medicate. Instead, seek help from a mental health professional.

Alcohol and anti-anxiety medication can be a deadly combination

Alcohol and anti-anxiety medication are both central nervous system depressants, and when combined, they can have a synergistic effect, intensifying the impact of both substances. This can lead to a range of serious and potentially deadly side effects, including respiratory depression, overdose, and even death.

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Anti-Anxiety Medication

Alcohol and anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, are both sedatives that work to slow down the central nervous system. When combined, they can have a synergistic effect, intensifying the sedative and depressant effects of both substances. This can lead to a range of serious side effects, including:

• Increased drowsiness and sedation
• Impaired judgment and memory
• Respiratory depression (slowed breathing)
• Overdose
• Unconsciousness
• Death

The Prevalence of This Dangerous Combination

The combination of alcohol and anti-anxiety medication is, unfortunately, quite common. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness in the United States, affecting 18.1% of adults annually. Additionally, the prescription rates of benzodiazepines have been increasing, with a reported near doubling of doctor visits resulting in a benzodiazepine prescription between 2003 and 2015.

High rates of alcohol consumption further contribute to the prevalence of this dangerous combination. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2016, 54.6% of adults aged 26 and older were current alcohol users.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Advice

If you are taking anti-anxiety medication, it is crucial to avoid alcohol consumption until the medication has cleared your system. The necessary wait time can vary depending on the specific medication and dosage, so it is essential to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and medical guidance.

It is also important to recognize that benzodiazepines, a common type of anti-anxiety medication, are highly addictive, especially for those with a history of alcohol abuse or misuse. Therefore, it is crucial to use these medications with caution and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Addressing Underlying Issues

It is worth noting that both alcohol and anti-anxiety medication are often used as a means of coping with anxiety. While they may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying causes of anxiety. If you are struggling with anxiety, it is essential to seek professional help and explore alternative treatment options, such as therapy or other medications that do not interact dangerously with alcohol.

Takeaway Message

The combination of alcohol and anti-anxiety medication can have serious and potentially deadly consequences. It is crucial to understand the risks associated with this combination and to seek professional advice if you are taking anti-anxiety medication. Addressing the underlying causes of anxiety through therapy or alternative treatments can help reduce the reliance on substances as a coping mechanism.

Alcohol and antidepressants can cause liver damage

Chronic alcohol abuse can elevate the risk for liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Some medications, including certain antidepressants, can also cause liver damage. For example, duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka, Drizalma Sprinkle), which is used to treat anxiety in people aged seven years and older, can cause liver damage. Combining medications that can lead to liver toxicity with alcohol may further increase the risk of side effects.

In addition to the increased risk of liver damage, there are several other reasons why alcohol and anxiety medication are not a good mix. Both alcohol and benzodiazepines, a class of anti-anxiety drugs, are sedatives. When combined, their effects are intensified, including sedation and slowed breathing, which could lead to unconsciousness or even death. Moreover, alcohol can worsen anxiety and increase feelings of depression. While a drink may initially reduce fears and take your mind off your troubles, alcohol changes levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can worsen anxiety and depression.

Alcohol can induce panic attacks

Drinking alcohol can lead to a false sense of relaxation, which can be attributed to your blood alcohol content (BAC). A rise in BAC levels leads to temporary feelings of excitement, but feelings of depression occur as BAC levels fall. As a result, having a few drinks that make your BAC rise and then fall back to normal can make you more anxious than you were before.

Using alcohol to cope with social anxiety disorder can be dangerous. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), about 7% of Americans suffer from this form of anxiety. It is common for people with social anxiety disorder to drink alcohol to cope with social interactions, which can lead to a dependence on alcohol during socialising and make anxiety symptoms worse. About 20% of people with social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence.

Long-term heavy drinkers may be predisposed to developing an anxiety disorder. Increased anxiety is also a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. If you've consumed large amounts of alcohol over a long period and suddenly stop drinking, your anxiety can be aggravated by the side effects of alcohol withdrawal.

Combining alcohol with anxiety medications can lead to serious, potentially deadly side effects, including lethal overdoses and respiratory depression. Alcohol and benzodiazepines, a class of anti-anxiety drugs, are both sedatives that significantly intensify their effects, including sedation and slowed breathing, which could lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Alcohol can lead to an unhealthy relationship with anxiety medication

Alcohol is a depressant that slows down processes in the brain and the central nervous system. While drinking alcohol can make you feel more relaxed, these effects wear off quickly. If you're experiencing anxiety, drinking alcohol could be making things worse.

Alcohol and anxiety – a vicious circle

If you suffer from anxiety, it’s important not to be tricked by the temporary feeling of relaxation from drinking alcohol. Alcohol can trigger anxiety or make it worse, and this can lead to a vicious circle:

• You initially feel calm as the alcohol affects the brain.
• You feel anxious as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal.
• You may want to drink again to try to relieve your anxiety.

But the last step only starts the process again from the beginning. As the initial calm feeling fades, you can feel anxiety as the effects of the alcohol wear off.

Alcohol and medication side effects

Side effects like drowsiness, impaired driving and respiratory depression (slowed breathing) can worsen when anxiety drugs are combined with alcohol. Many medicines used for anxiety should be used short-term and, in general, you should avoid or limit alcohol with these drugs.

Mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol can lead to serious, potentially deadly side effects, including lethal overdoses and respiratory depression. Both are sedatives that relax muscles, make you sleepy, and reduce feelings of panic, fear, and agitation. Together, they amplify the potential for certain scary side effects, like respiratory depression.

Alcohol and anxiety disorders

Research has found that anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders often occur together. Several proposed explanations exist for the link, including genetics, a person's environment, and the brain mechanisms related to addiction and anxiety symptoms.

A person with an anxiety disorder is two to three times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder at some point in their life compared to someone who has never been diagnosed with anxiety.

Alcohol and medication interactions

Many anxiety drugs have central nervous system depressant activity and interact with alcohol, so it is important to understand your risks. Be sure to review your prescription information and ask your pharmacist; do not drink alcohol with benzodiazepines due to the risk of enhanced drowsiness, sedation, impaired judgment, or overdose.

Alcohol can also increase the nervous system side effects of antidepressant medications or other miscellaneous drugs used for anxiety. Side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, impaired thinking, slowed reflexes, and poor judgment.

Alcohol and panic attacks

If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack. Alcohol has an effect on brain chemistry and can induce panic because of its effects on GABA, a chemical in the brain that normally has a relaxing effect. Small amounts of alcohol can stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation, but heavy drinking can deplete GABA, causing increased tension and feelings of panic. Panic attacks can occur due to alcohol withdrawal.

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