So why can't people drink alcohol when on medication?

[Deja Q]

I have and it and it hasn't affected me. :shrug:

[Tab]

1. Are you sure it hasn't?

I mean, I don't know what meds you're on, but for instance, if you're on anti-depressants, then alcohol would be counter-productive, if nothing else, since alcohol is a depressant, thus making it harder for the anti-deps to do their thing. You might not notice anything negative happening, but you might find personal improvement is taking a lot longer than you like.

Other meds have specific contraindications (e.g.: they amplify drowsiness, etc.).

Since we don't allow medical advice threads here, we definitely can't start one where people are advocating ignoring the advice of the doctor/prescription and drinking anyway.

But I will mention a couple of ways in which I know alcohol interacts negatively with your meds:

- Substance abuse aside, alcohol is a depressant, so it may simply be counter-productive to your treatment.

- Alcohol may amplify the drowsiness effect of the med (or vice versa), which to you might just make you seem more tired, but would be more than intended. Also, if you operate a vehicle, you might qualify to get in trouble for operating under the influence, not because of the alcohol alone impairing you, but that lesser amount of alcohol combined with your meds.

- It may damage liver / kidney functions and/or accelerate the effect on your blood levels. You might not think it's affected you, but then have you had your blood levels tested lately?

I don't know (and don't want to know, from the point of view of holding a generalized, not specific, conversations) how much you drink and what meds you're on, and so forth, but I just wanted to point out that you say it hasn't affected you but in fact it might of, just not in a way that seems obvious (e.g.: you didn't take a beer and immediately keel over).

The meds have warning labels about alcohol for a reason. Presumably during testing and trials they found evidence of some specific damage, potential for damage, or other counter-indication. Yes, they put the label on so you can't say you weren't warned, but they're warning you for a reason.

Frankly I think credit cards should come with a warning label telling you not to use that product in conjunction with alcohol, but they don't, because all you can really affect is your financial health, but with meds there's a potential for some real problems to be created (or to fail to be solved) because alcohol is in the mix. Hence the labels.

[EFerrari]

2. It probably depends on the meds.

As Tab points out, alcohol blocks the benefits of antidepressants.

It also potentiates the use of some anti anxiety meds -- Valium, Klonopin, those guys.

If one has trouble with fearfulness, over time pot just adds to that problem.

Doug's great doc asked him to stay clean and sober for six months so they could get a fix on what really worked for him. He did it! I was amazed. And, it was so helpful, because the whole team was able to drill down to basics and begin to help with those.

I myself would have had a hard time doing that. My habit became to pour a glass of wine when I'd surfed another stressful day. And there were years of 'em, lol.

Have you checked with your doc?

:hug:
Beth

[Ladyhawk]

9. I miss being able to get the occasional buzz,

but I am on too many meds and it is horrible for diabetes. Luckily, I've never been addicted to alcohol, but it sure could dull the emotional pain when needed. Now klonopin does the same job but with fewer side-effects.

[hedgehog]

3. I'd like to have more info myself

I don't drink, never have, but my children have been on maintenance dosages forever for mild depression and I'd like to find out if a beer or glass of wine ia acceptable for them when they hit 21.

[EFerrari]

4. Alcohol prevents SSRIs from giving their full benefit.

A drink at dinner probably wouldn't make much of a difference, but steady drinking would. Also depends upon the individual's sensitivity, weight and so on.

Before I could afford medical care, there was only alcohol to help me manage depression and anxiety. :( It worked in a limited way for anxiety but was rotten for depression. I notice a huge difference when I cut out my evening wine and eat healthy. It's like someone has handed me another four hours of active, interested living. No small thing. :)

But, that's just me with this particular chemistry and in this situation.

[hedgehog]

5. That's the information I need

My older son has an occasional beer with his dad. I was wondering if my younger son would be able to once he hits 21. I'm talking about 1 beer maybe 4 or 5 times a year. It's a guy thing. Oh, and a glass of wine at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[EFerrari]

6. Sure! What I've noticed is, once someone is on a program

that really works, they're much less likely to self medicate with anything.

[NMMNG]

7. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of some medications

Also, since it is a depressant it can work against the therapeutic effects of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Also, if you are prone to seizures for any reason alcohol can increase your risks of having them.

Some medications are metabolized in the liver, as is alcohol, which might increase the risks of liver damage.


Not that I can say I've been a complete teetotaler recently. :blush:

[Sgent]

8. For me

I can notice the depressive effects of drinking more than 1-2 drinks for a long time -- sometimes weeks -- after I drink. Its not just that it counteracts the antidepressents, but that alcohol can cause some people (me obviously) to become actively depressed for a prolonged period of time.

I used to be a fairly heavy drinker, but now regulate myself to maybe 1 drink a month (usually less). I just can't deal with the side effects of my previous lifestyle. I would definately encourage anyone who hasn't done so, to be clean and sober for at least 6 months after obtaining a good medication dose, so you can get a better handle on how it actually effects you.

[mrgorth]

10. I'm a bad boy

I'm on Effexor XR and Risperdal and I drink. Bottom line, I love beer and I don't want to give it up. Sorry.

[Kire]

11. it makes me, it makes me type funny

I repeat, I repeat stuff.