Combining alcohol with strong pain medications for severe pain, like opioids, can cause drowsiness and dizziness, difficulty breathing, memory problems, and puts you at an increased risk for an overdose. Because you may not know if your medicines have any drug interactions, it’s important to check for them before you start treatment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to check your drugs for any important drug interactions.

Painkillers

Combining these drugs with alcohol can make the risks and side effects worse, especially if you have Sober living house liver disease. If you’re drinking excessively or regularly, you are increasing the risk of adverse medication reactions. The combination of medication and alcohol can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death. “It’s generally advisable to avoid drinking alcohol when taking medications,” says psychiatric clinical pharmacist Mei T. Liu, PharmD, BCPP. It is unclear how Houston developed her substance problems, but like many other addicts, she eventually began mixing drugs along with alcohol. Many prescription drug users who are not addicted or dependent consume alcohol concurrently as well, despite medical advice against it.

Examples of common medications known to interact negatively with alcohol

If you have an injury or medical condition that causes pain or spasms in your muscles, you might be given medications to relax them. Muscle relaxants are commonly used to treat back and neck pain, as well as certain kinds of headaches. Angina (ischemic chest pain) is alcohol and pills caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. If you have angina, you might be prescribed a medication called nitroglycerin. Stimulants and sedatives (such as alcohol) mask each other’s effects.

• Learn more about the financial impact of alcohol misuse in the United States.
• Herbs and dietary supplements can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) and may be labeled “all-natural”, but this does not always mean they are safe.
• If you have angina, you might be prescribed a medication called nitroglycerin.
• Some of these medications can also make the effects of alcohol more extreme.

How do people take Delta-8 THC:

Salvia is a plant (Salvia divinorum) found in southern Mexico and Central and South America. Salvia divinorum is different from common ornamental salvias, the herb sage (Salvia officinals L.), or chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.). Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound found in the tobacco plant. Nicotine is found in all tobacco products, including cigarettes and vaping solutions, and in new tobacco-free products such as tobacco-free vaping solutions and oral nicotine pouches. Methylphenidate is a prescription stimulant generally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methamphetamine, taken alone or combined with fentanyl, contributes to the overdose crisis in the United States.

Drug classes that can be affected by alcohol include:

Dissociative drugs can temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perceptions of reality. These drugs primarily affect how the brain processes a chemical called glutamate. Dissociative drugs can make people feel disconnected from their body and environment. Depressants are misused when they are taken in a way or dose that’s different than prescribed, taken without a prescription, or taken with other drugs to boost intoxicating effects. An overdose can be reversed if overdose reversal medications, including naloxone (sometimes sold as Narcan®) are given quickly. Codeine is misused when it is taken in a way or dose that’s different than prescribed, taken without a prescription, or taken with other drugs to boost intoxicating effects.

• Many anxiety drugs have central nervous system depressant activity and interact with alcohol.
• Drinking too much alcohol can also indirectly lead to weight gain, which may further cause high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Be sure to review your prescription information and ask your pharmacist; do not drink alcohol with benzodiazepines due to the risk of enhanced drowsiness, sedation, impaired judgement, or overdose.
• Understanding the potential interactions between different types of medications is crucial for making informed decisions regarding substance use.