The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Drugs

If you’ve ever received a prescription from your doctor, there’s a good chance you were advised not to drink alcohol while taking the medication. Mixing alcohol with prescription drugs can be dangerous, because alcohol may either degrade the effects of the medication or intensify them to the point that they become toxic. 

Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With These Types of Prescription Drugs

The dangers of mixing alcohol with prescription drugs can depend on factors such as your age, gender, weight, and metabolism, as well as how much alcohol you have consumed and which type of medication you are taking. 

In general, though, here are some of the more typical negative outcomes that can result from combining alcohol with some of the most commonly prescribed medications.

Benzos

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are usually prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, seizure disorders, and insomnia. They are categorized as depressants, which means they slow the delivery of messages through the central nervous system.

Examples of frequently prescribed benzos include Valium (which contains diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). Common effects of these drugs include improved mood, anxiety relief, relaxation, fatigue, and slowed respiration.

Someone who mixes alcohol with benzos risks significant harm, such as:

• Extreme confusion and disorientation
• Dizziness
• Impaired coordination
• Dangerously shallow breathing
• Damage to the liver and kidneys
• Loss of consciousness
• Death

From 2000-2019, the U.S. recorded more than 118,000 overdose deaths involving benzos. About 90% of these deaths also involved alcohol or another substance in addition to the benzos.

Opioids

Prescription opioids are usually used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. Drugs in this class are either derived from the opium poppy plant or synthetically engineered to function like natural opioids. Examples of commonly prescribed opioids include OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone), morphine, codeine, and fentanyl.

When used as directed, opioids cause effects such as elevated mood, alleviation of pain, slowed breathing and heart rate, and deep relaxation. The potential hazards of combining opioids with alcohol include:

• Liver damage
• Memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Poor coordination
• Dangerously slow heart rate and respiration
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Death

To underscore the danger of mixing alcohol and opioids, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcohol is involved in about 22% of annual opioid overdose deaths in the United States.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are categorized as sedative-hypnotics. They may be prescribed to alleviate anxiety prior to surgery, to treat seizure disorders or insomnia, or to place people in medically-induced comas.

Examples of prescription barbiturates include Seconal (secobarbital), Nembutal (pentobarbital), and Pentothal (thiopental). These medications are all still in use, though they are not prescribed nearly as often as they were in the past. Concerns about dangerous side effects have led most healthcare professionals to use benzos instead of barbiturates when possible.

Taking barbiturates while drinking alcohol can have devastating effects, including:

• Severe drowsiness
• Depressed respiration
• Loss of consciousness
• Organ damage
• Death

Sedatives

The category of sedatives contains several types of substances, all of which have relaxing, or sedating, properties. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates both fall within this broad category. Some sources also put opioids in the sedative category.

Mixing alcohol with prescription sedatives can lead to many of the disorienting and life-threatening effects that we have previously noted, such as:

• Confusion
• Extreme fatigue
• Faint heartbeat
• Dangerously shallow breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Death

Stimulants

Stimulants differ from the other prescription drugs in this section, as they increase the delivery of messages throughout the central nervous system, rather than delaying them. Common effects of stimulants include a boost in energy, increased confidence, appetite loss, and diminished need for sleep.

Two of the most widely used prescription stimulants are Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate). Both of these meds are most commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as narcolepsy. Examples of other prescription stimulants include Dexedrine (amphetamine) and Desoxyn (methamphetamine) 

Mixing alcohol with prescription stimulants can lead to:

• Disrupted sleep
• Mood swings
• Heart palpitations
• Elevated blood pressure
• Diminished blood flow to the brain
• Kidney damage
• Impulsivity
• Impaired judgement
• Heart attack
• Stroke 
• Death

What To Do if You Accidentally Drink Alcohol With Prescription Drugs

If you inadvertently drink alcohol while taking a prescription drug, the first thing you should do is immediately stop drinking. Even if you only had a small amount of alcohol, you should also refrain from driving until any effects have subsided.

To assess your risk before any problematic symptoms appear, contact the National Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Dangerous Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

If you or someone that you are with begins to develop the following symptoms after mixing alcohol with prescription drugs, you (or they) may be in grave danger:

• Extreme confusion
• Inability to stay awake or be awakened
• Vomiting
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Faint pulse
• Bluish coloration near lips and fingertips

Someone who exhibits these signs needs immediate medical attention. Do not hesitate. Call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder in your area.

If you are with someone who exhibits these signs, take the following steps after calling for help:

• Stay with the person and try to keep them awake.
• If they lose consciousness, roll them onto their side so that they don’t choke if they vomit.
• Place a blanket or coat over them to help them stay warm.

Be prepared to provide the emergency first responders with as much information as you can, including which prescription medication or medications the person took, how much they took, how much alcohol they consumed, and what symptoms they have been exhibiting.

Contact Phoenix Rising if You Become Addicted to Alcohol and/or Prescription Drugs

Intentionally mixing alcohol with prescription drugs could be a sign that you have developed a substance use disorder (addiction). Whether you are addicted to alcohol or prescription medication, please know that help is available. 

Phoenix Rising Recovery offers a full continuum of customized care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by compulsive substance abuse. Programming options at our addiction treatment center in Palm Springs, California, include detoxification, residential rehab, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient treatment.

Our team of experienced professionals will work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs, then determine which programs and types of treatment are best for you. 

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.