Every day more people take anxiolytics. The consumption of drugs for anxiety disorders has been growing, motivated by the belief that anxiolytics are the quick and effective solution for these problems.
But the consumption of another substance, alcohol, has been present in our society for some time. Whether its consumption is linked to a psychological disorder or not, the truth is that this substance is part of social life, something essential for many.
Thus, taking into account that both substances are widely consumed today, many people wonder what happens if you take anxiolytics and alcohol, what their danger is and what problems they can cause. Below we will resolve these doubts.
Consuming alcohol and anxiolytics at the same time implies many risks Regardless of the reason why anxiolytics have been prescribed, it is very important to understand that most of them turn out to be a very bad combination with alcohol. In fact, alcohol consumption is the main contraindication in most drugs, both those prescribed for psychopathology and medical conditions. Drinks can aggravate anxiety disorder symptoms and cause medical problems.
In every drug, and specifically anxiolytics, its main contraindications are indicated in its prescription, in addition to its therapeutic effect, side effects and indications. Although each drug has a very detailed explanation in its prescription of why it should not be taken with alcohol, basically most of them agree on the following reasons.
1. More accidents
Drinking alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medications may increase the risk of accidents, both domestic and traffic. The combination of both substances can cause the person to fall, accidentally get cuts or bumps, and cause injuries that are unknown how they occurred.
This effect is quite distinctive from benzodiazepines, which are the main group of most widely consumed tranquilizers and hypnotics. These drugs taken with alcohol can impair coordination especially in elderly people, which is why there would be more accidents.
It also causes a deterioration in breathing during sleep and affects cognitive abilities, such as concentration, memory and learning.
2. Behavioral alteration
Anxiolytics are prescribed for people who suffer from an emotional disorder, which in itself can cause behavioral problems. It is a very bad idea for people diagnosed with these disorders to drink alcohol, since it can further aggravate their behavioral problems.
The prescription of anxiolytics focuses on reducing the symptoms caused by the anxiety disorder. However, taking only the drug without going to a psychologist, who will teach the patient strategies to control their anxiety and know how to deal with its problems, is not a good option.
In the psychologist’s therapy, the patient will learn to modify the behaviors that may have led him to be in that state such as having heated arguments with your family and worrying excessively about studies or employment.
Alcohol consumption, far from helping to resolve these conflicts, makes them worse. It is possible that, having drunk alcohol and taking anxiolytics, you are even more anxious, having more arguments with your family or being unable to control your studies and work, generating even more anxiety and entering a vicious circle.
3. Enhancement of its effects
When alcohol is taken together with anxiolytics, the effect generated is greater than the sum of these substances. That is, combined, the effect of alcohol and anxiolytics is enhanced
To understand it, if we drink a beer and also take a diazepam, the effects of these substances will be equivalent to having taken two of each. This greater potentiation of effects is the first step on the path to a potential danger: intoxication due to overdose. making combining a beer with a diazepam is like taking two of each.
It is clear that the main objective of the consumption of anxiolytics is to reduce anxiety, in addition to being prescribed to sleep better. Alcohol, without combining it with other substances, is also usually consumed for this purpose, that is, to reduce anxiety and worry, although it is not the best option for this.
Likewise, based on this, There are many people who think that the sedative of alcohol is therapeutic which is why they believe that having a drink at night before going to sleep is a good way to induce sleep.
The problem with this, if you are already taking anxiolytics, is that it does not really induce better sleep, quite the opposite: a rebound effect occurs. Alcohol and anxiolytics together cause nervousness and anxiety after hours and, even if you manage to fall asleep, it will be of poorer quality.
If I take anxiolytics, should I say goodbye to alcohol?
As we have already said, alcohol is contraindicated if you take anxiolytics. However, this does not mean that if you are under pharmacological treatment you should completely avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. There are several factors that mean that, in moderation and in low quantities, you can even drink alcohol.
First of all, it must be understood that the consumption of anxiolytics does not serve to cure anxiety disorder or sleep problems, but rather reduce the intensity of your symptoms These problems are psychological disorders, with a cause that must be worked on and, in the psychologist’s consultation, strategies must be learned to deal with events that generate anxiety. Since these drugs can even hide the symptoms of the disorder, it is advisable not to leave recovery in the hands of drugs alone.
While in the psychiatrist’s office, he or she will give us information about the prescribed drug, how it should be taken, in what quantity and at what frequency While there, you can be asked about what you can and cannot take during the treatment, including substances such as alcohol and tobacco. It is to be expected that the psychiatrist will not recommend taking addictive substances, however, he should indicate the differences between anxiolytics and their interaction with alcohol.
As we were already saying, alcohol is a very important socializing element in our culture. We have a well-established habit of going out with friends and having a beer.
During treatment for an anxiety or mood disorder, socializing with family and friends is a fundamental aspect of achieving recovery. This is why completely banishing alcohol from our lives can have more cons than pros, running the risk of isolating ourselves by avoiding going out in situations where alcohol is essential and, thus, worsening the anxiety disorder.
Although alcohol is still a drug, its consumption being a risk factor for suffering from addiction and medical problems, taking it in low quantities is not a problem. Moderation and what the psychiatrist has specified are fundamental aspects when undergoing psychopharmacological treatment in addition to being responsible and avoiding consuming alcohol immediately after or before taking the anxiolytic.
However, all caution is insufficient. As we have already mentioned, combining alcohol with anxiolytics enhances the effect of both, running the risk of causing poisoning due to overdose. Alcohol can also be abused progressively, causing what was initially social consumption to become an addiction, and that is the last thing a person with an anxiety disorder would want.
