Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medication

The risks of mixing alcohol and prescription medication can be severe. Most prescription medications come with a label stating to avoid alcohol consumption when taking the medication. This is due to the effects that alcohol can have on the effects of the medication. Using prescription medications and drinking alcohol can lead to the effects of either substance heightening leading to complications and side effects that can be unpredictable and dangerous. 

Stats of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medication

Mixing alcohol and prescription medication is a dangerous risk to take. Nearly 50% of overdose deaths in 2019 involved more than one substance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Alcohol is a depressant and using it in combination with other drugs can cause negative effects. It can increase the risk of heart, brain, and other organ damage. It can also lead to overdose and death. The effects that alcohol can have on prescription medications can be extremely unpredictable and vice versa. The side effects of any given medication can be heightened, or altered when they are mixed with alcohol.

Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medication

Knowing the dangers of mixing alcohol and prescription medication is vital to preventing severe complications in those who take medications and drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol alone can be extremely dangerous, and when it is mixed with prescription medications, the results can be unpredictable and lead to severe health complications. The respiratory depression that can result from using alcohol can be exacerbated when mixing alcohol and prescription medications.

It can also lead to damage in vital organs that are necessary for body functionality like the liver and the heart. Damage to these organs can be irreversible and lead to severe health complications. When mixing alcohol and prescription medications it can cause impaired judgment that leads to actions that are out of character for an individual. This can include driving under the influence, leading to accidents and injury.

Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medication

The effects that can be experienced when mixing alcohol and prescription medication can be intense. Depressants like Xanax and Valium have effects that include respiratory depression and drowsiness. When mixed with alcohol, these symptoms and effects of depressants like benzos can be heightened.

When the respiratory system is severely depressed, it can lead to a lack of oxygen intake. Oxygen is crucial to the proper functioning of the organs within the body. When oxygen is lacking it can lead to hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is a life-threatening condition that can lead to organ failure and death. Mixing alcohol and prescription medication is extremely dangerous, and can be fatal.

Risk Factors of Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medication

The risk factors can be extreme. Alcohol is dangerous on its own, and so are prescription medications. When mixing the two it can make the effects exacerbated and lead to severe health complications. It can also lead to dependence on the substances being used.

When the effects of mixing alcohol with prescription medication are altered, it can result in using more and more of the substances. When the level of use is higher, the body becomes tolerant to those levels of use, leading to the body requiring higher and higher doses of the substances in order to achieve the desired effects. Using more and more can often lead to addiction to these substances.

When addiction occurs and a person tries to stop using alcohol or medications, it can lead to severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. This makes detox necessary in order to remove the substances from the body and begin the process of recovery.

Detox for Polysubstance Abuse

Mixing alcohol and prescription medication can lead to complications when it comes to detox. Polysubstance abuse is a dangerous undertaking for anyone who is going through it. Using alcohol and other substances together can be difficult to overcome. However, it is possible.

Detox is the beginning step to getting better. Ridding the body of the toxins introduced through substance misuse is necessary for recovery. Once the body is free and clear of harmful substances, healing, and recovery can begin for those who are struggling.

Common withdrawal symptoms during detox can include the following:

• Sleep disturbances
• Muscle aches and cramps
• High or low blood pressure
• Increased appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Sometimes, these withdrawal symptoms can lead to complications in health. This is why it is highly recommended and suggested to have professional assistance as someone is going through this process. This helps to prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening.

Getting Better in Louisville, KY

Mixing alcohol and prescription medications can be extremely dangerous. The effects of doing this can be unpredictable and life-threatening. Mixing alcohol with prescription medications can lead to complications that can include respiratory distress leading to a lack of oxygen to vital organs.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mixing alcohol and prescription medications, there is help available. At Louisville Addiction Center, we offer necessary help to those struggling with substances so that they can begin finding recovery. Contact us today to start the process of getting better.