Depression can be a crippling disease. Fortunately, some drugs can help people struggling with severe depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a common choice for treating depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions because they have relatively few side effects. However, there are some issues people should be aware of regarding alcohol and antidepressants.
How SSRIs Work
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter thought to benefit mood and sleep quality. It’s usually used to send a message between nerve cells before being reabsorbed by the nerve in a process called reuptake.
The causes of depression and other mental health difficulties are complex. Still, many people experiencing these conditions benefit from increased serotonin levels, especially if they’re also receiving other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, making more of it available to send messages.
Not everyone experiencing depression or anxiety responds well to this form of treatment. However, SSRIs are effective for many people and have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, making them a common first choice among health care professionals when treating depression or anxiety.
Can you drink on antidepressants? This is a question many people ask when they receive a prescription for SSRIs. Most health care professionals advise against drinking alcoholic beverages while using antidepressants. Alcohol is a depressant in its own right, so it can worsen depression and cause other side effects.
Does Alcohol Interact With SSRIs?
In general, health care professionals advise against mixing alcohol and antidepressants. Drinking alcohol while taking SSRIs can cause drowsiness and may increase feelings of depression and anxiety. While the interaction between SSRIs, such as Zoloft, and alcohol isn’t as severe as the interaction between MAOIs and alcohol, mixing the two is still considered risky.
According to the World Health Organization, around 2.6 million deaths per year are attributable to alcohol consumption. This is approximately 4.7% of all deaths. Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous in its own right, but combining Zoloft and alcohol brings additional risks. People susceptible to alcoholism mustn’t combine alcohol with their prescription medication.
Alcohol can impair decision-making and when mixed with antidepressants can impair coordination, reaction time and motor skills, making it difficult to do tasks that require focus.
Can Alcohol Reduce the Effectiveness of SSRIs?
Drinking, especially heavy drinking, can interfere with the benefits of antidepressants, including SSRIs. In the short term, many people feel alcohol improves their mood. However, alcohol is a depressant, and the long-term effects of drinking can include increased depression or anxiety along with additional drug-related side effects.
Because of these risks, doctors often recommend that people struggling with alcohol misuse disorder get treatment for this issue before they start taking antidepressants. One added benefit of doing so is that stopping alcohol consumption can help reduce the symptoms of depression.
Safe Practices for Alcohol and Antidepressants
It’s not a good idea to drink alcohol at all if you’re living with depression because it can worsen your symptoms. Avoiding alcohol when on antidepressants is particularly important because of the risk of increased side effects.
With that said, some people can tolerate an occasional drink while taking antidepressants, so a single toast of champagne at a wedding may have no adverse effects. If you’re considering indulging in alcohol while taking Zoloft, seek advice from your health care professional before doing so. Everyone’s risk factors are different, and your physician is in the best position to give you advice.
If you’re at risk of alcohol misuse, it’s better to avoid alcohol while on antidepressants. Side effects and interactions can be unpredictable, and the combination of alcohol and antidepressants could increase the risk of a relapse.
Some liquid medications, such as cough syrups and medicated mouthwash, contain alcohol. The amount of alcohol in those medications is unlikely to cause issues for someone taking an SSRI and isn’t a risk of alcohol abuse. However, it’s still a good idea to keep your health care professional informed about what medications you’re taking and their doses so they can monitor your well-being.
Always follow the instructions when taking antidepressants. Make sure you take your doses at the scheduled time and in the right amount.
Don’t give in to the temptation to skip a dose or stop taking your antidepressants so you can drink alcohol. Stopping antidepressants suddenly can have severe side effects and make depression symptoms much worse. If you’re struggling with the urge to drink, talk to your doctor about this. They won’t judge you, and they may be able to put you in touch with support groups to help you manage your alcohol addiction.
Trust Your Doctors as You Continue Your Recovery Journey
Everyone’s path to recovery is different. Some people respond well to SSRIs, but others require a different approach to treating depression. Alcohol abuse disorder can present an additional challenge on your recovery journey, but with support from doctors and therapists, beating depression and alcohol addiction is possible.
If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges, call the Mental Health Hotline for free, confidential advice and support. Our team is here 24 hours a day to listen and help you get the support you need.
