Why Is Mixing Prescription Drugs With Alcohol Dangerous?

The human body remains one of the most complex systems in existence. Multiple parts of your body work together so you can fully interact with the world around you without issue. When you get hurt, your doctor prescribes medications designed to help you feel better or manage the pain more effectively. One of the most common warnings from your doctor after they prescribe it to you is, “don’t mix this with alcohol.”

Most people have heard this warning so often that it goes in one ear and out the other without them paying it. However, depending on the drug in question, how it mixes with the alcohol you just consumed can have frighteningly disastrous consequences.

Does the Type of Prescription Drug Matter?

Whether dealing with an antidepressant, painkiller, stimulant, or benzo, prescription drugs can run the gamut of intended uses and side effects. They can provide a wealth of positive health benefits when used as intended. However, abusing these medications — and mixing them with alcohol — can have dire consequences.

In many cases, mixing prescription drugs with alcohol can drastically worsen a person’s side effects. In some cases, alcohol can dilute the drug’s intended effect, making it far less effective for its intended use. This can lead to you needing to increase your dosage to achieve the desired result, potentially leading to an addiction.

The Worst Types of Drugs to Mix With Alcohol

While mixing any prescription drug with alcohol is ill-advised, some options have more drastic side effects than others. The reasons behind what makes a particular type of narcotic a poor choice can vary depending on the desired result, but here are some of the worst ways to mix the two.

Antibiotics

As mentioned before, some prescription drugs become less effective when mixed with alcohol — antibiotics being one of the chief culprits. In most cases, you’re taking one of these prescriptions to help fight off an infection or bacterial illness. If the alcohol negates the effects, you either have to up your dosages to see any help or suffer through your illness without the positive benefits.

Diabetes Medications

People with diabetes are always told to limit or minimize their alcohol consumption since it can affect their blood sugar levels. The same is the case for their diabetes medications. Their favorite drinks can make regulating their levels much more difficult than it has to be.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

More people are dealing with their diagnosed anxiety disorders with pharmacological options and have seen plenty of benefits. However, mixing their medications with alcohol can lead to some concerning side effects that need to be addressed, including:

Memory loss
Abnormal behaviors
Slowed breathing
Impaired motor control

Muscle Relaxers

When someone is recovering from a muscle injury, like a sprain or a strain, doctors often prescribe muscle relaxers to help with pain management. These drugs can help minimize the pain they feel but also cause them to lose fine motor control — just like high alcohol consumption. Combining the two substances can lead to increased drowsiness, dizziness, memory loss, impaired breathing, motor skills, and more.

Who Is Most at Risk of Mixing?

While there isn’t a hard and fast rule to determine who is at the highest risk for mixing prescription drugs and alcohol, certain factors can greatly increase the chances. Younger people between 18-25, those with lower education levels, single people, and those with established patterns of binge drinking behaviors are at an increased risk of mixing the two.

Know Where to Get the Help You Need

For people looking for an accessible addiction therapy program in Levittown, PA, for help with their alcohol and prescription drug mixing, Steps to Recovery is here to help. Our programs work with patients on a personal level to figure out the underlying reasons behind their behaviors and help develop a treatment plan that works for their unique needs.

Our rehab programs have helped countless people deal with their issues and get started on their road to recovery with the support they need. Learn more about our programs and how we can help you or a loved one today.