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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 13% of Americans have a prescription for antidepressants. If you’re a part of that 13%, you may be curious about what is and isn’t healthy to take alongside your medication. Surprisingly, most food and many beverages are safe when taking antidepressants, but there are exceptions. One of these exceptions is alcohol, which should never be taken with antidepressants.
But why? If alcohol makes you feel calm while you’re drinking it, it should be helping your mood, right? And if you drink alcohol while taking antidepressants, that’s just “double” the help, right? Maybe you’re already drinking while taking antidepressants but you haven’t noticed any of alcohol’s side effects – so what’s the big deal? Let’s talk about antidepressants and alcohol, why they shouldn’t be taken together, and what you can try instead.
42% of Kentucky’s residents drink alcohol, which means there is likely an overlap between those who drink and those who take antidepressants. No antidepressants are considered “fine” to take with alcohol, though some are riskier than others. Your treating physician may tell you it’s okay to have one or two drinks while taking these medications, but they won’t tell you it’s okay to do it regularly. There are a number of reasons for this. Alcohol impacts the medication’s ability to do its job. It can also cause an array of nasty side effects, including damage to the liver and the heart. Additionally, alcohol is a depressant, so it could make your mood disorder worse – especially when taken with antidepressants.
Each person has a unique physiology and not all antidepressants work in the same way. Because of this, there are several types of antidepressants.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): arguably the most popular type of antidepressants because the side effects are mild and rare. They work by increasing the levels of serotonin present in the brain. Some of the common SSRI medications available include:
Tricyclic antidepressants: known to cause harsher side effects than SSRIs, which is why they aren’t prescribed as often. Tricyclic antidepressants increase the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Some common brands of these include:
Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): very similar to SSRIs and often prescribed when SSRIs are not effective. SNRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine and work to alter brain chemistry for the better. Popular brands of SNRIs include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): an older antidepressant that isn’t often prescribed because it comes with a risk of severe side effects. Doctors may prescribe this as a last resort or alongside another antidepressant. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that eliminates feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, and the job of MAOIs is to remove this enzyme so serotonin can flourish. Common MAOIs include
Serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs): SARIs also work by inhibiting serotonin reabsorption in the brain, and just like SSRIs, they promote healthy serotonin concentration. Common brands of SARIs include:
One of the first things you’ll notice when drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is that you feel “drunk” faster. This is because when the two are mixed, antidepressants heighten the effects of alcohol. Because of this, loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and decreased reaction time are all more likely to occur. This can cause accidents that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. It can also cause problems with your relationships with family or friends, especially if you’re mixing them often. You’re more likely to say or do things you wouldn’t normally do if you were drinking alcohol alone. It also comes with the possibility of causing fatigue or making you sleepy during the day.
Mixing alcohol and antidepressants is also not conducive to mental health. When taken together, alcohol counteracts the efficacy of antidepressants. Your medications are working hard to increase the concentration of serotonin in your brain, but over time, alcohol works to do the opposite. It may feel good or like your anxiety is being lifted while you’re drinking, but over time, alcohol can increase your depression and cause more issues with your serotonin levels in the future.
Even a small amount of alcohol can impact the way your antidepressants work. Ideally, you wouldn’t drink any alcohol while you’re on your medication. Make sure you consult with your physician, as they will have specific recommendations for you.
Some of the common side effects of drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants include:
One of the most unfortunate side effects that stem from mixing alcohol and antidepressants is the risk of a steep decline in your mental health. Alcohol causes dehydration, anxiety, increased depression, and sometimes it can fuel psychotic episodes or outbursts of anger. Sometimes when this happens, patients will seek out therapy or other measures to alleviate these uncomfortable side effects, but nothing is as effective as discontinuing alcohol use. It’s difficult for the brain to heal or form new and healthy habits while regular alcohol use is in the picture.
While it is rare, drinking while taking antidepressants can be fatal – and not always in the way(s) you might think. Because it causes a lack of coordination and impaired decision-making, it can lead to serious injuries. It can also cause suicidality or suicidal thinking, especially in those who are already experiencing depression. Overdose is also possible due to impaired thinking.
If you or someone you love is having a hard time controlling how much alcohol you drink (or how often you drink), it might be time to seek treatment. At SUN Behavioral Kentucky, we know that every patient’s healing journey is unique. That’s why we offer a large variety of programs for alcohol use disorder treatment.
Alcohol detox happens in the first 72 hours after your last drink. It’s the process your body goes through to flush the alcohol out of its system. During this time, your body works hard to rid itself of any toxins left behind. This is when withdrawal symptoms usually start, peak, and subside.
SUN Behavioral Health’s alcohol detox happens during this time. You’ll come in and meet with one of our clinicians to be assessed for your needs and to create some goals for yourself. People choose to stay at our detox facility so we can monitor their condition, treat their withdrawal symptoms, and help them heal safely and efficiently.
Inpatient treatment provides patients with a stable and supportive environment. Here, they can focus on their recovery while being surrounded by trained and licensed professionals and others who are going through the same thing.
During inpatient treatment, patients stay on sight at the rehab facility 24/7. They get to experience a wide variety of activities and programs during their day from individual therapy sessions and group sessions to activities such as yoga or hobbies that help rebuild new habits and focus the mind on healing.
If inpatient treatment doesn’t work for your schedule or your lifestyle, outpatient and PHP can help. Outpatient programs can also act as a stepping stone between inpatient and the end of treatment. This type of care usually does not require patients to stay at the facility while being treated. When visiting the facility, patients spend time in customized sessions throughout the day. This can be beneficial for full-time employees seeking treatment because it allows patients to continue to maintain a life outside of treatment.
If you or someone you know is looking for alcohol use disorder or treatment for depression, SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky can help. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our available treatment options, call us today at 859-429-5188 so we can help you get your life back.
One of the first things you’ll notice when drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is that you feel “drunk” faster. This is because when the two are mixed, antidepressants heighten the effects of alcohol. Because of this, loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and decreased reaction time are all more likely to occur. This can cause accidents that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. It can also cause problems with your relationships with family or friends, especially if you’re mixing them often. You’re more likely to say or do things you wouldn’t normally do if you were drinking alcohol alone. It also comes with the possibility of causing fatigue or making you sleepy during the day.
You should avoid the use of alcohol or any other substances while you’re taking antidepressants. Speak with your treating physician if you have any questions or if you’re unsure of what you can and cannot take while on your medication.
Drinking while on antidepressants, even a little, is not recommended. If you must drink alcohol, you should not drink it at the same time as you take your medication. Wait at least 6 hours.
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