The Dangers of Mixing Prescription Drugs with Alcohol

May 23, 2022

Harmony Place Team

If you’ve ever picked up a prescription for a drug store then there’s a pretty good chance that you have been told by either a pharmacist or a pharmacy tech that mixing prescription drugs with alcohol is bad. In fact, the instruction to not mix prescription drugs with alcohol is so common that most people don’t even think twice about it. They just acknowledge it and move on. However, there’s a reason they say it. Depending on the drug, mixing prescription drugs with alcohol can actually be quite dangerous and can do significant damage to the body, including your organs and brain.

In this blog, we will take a look at some of the dangers of mixing prescription drugs and alcohol including how doing so can lead to substance abuse and addiction. We will also talk about how you can get help should a substance abuse problem develop as a result of mixing your prescription drugs with alcohol.

What Is A Prescription Drug?

Simply put, a prescription drug is any substance that requires a doctor’s prescription in order to maintain. In some cases, you can get a similar product or even the same product at a lower dosage over-the-counter. However, in order for that substance to be “prescription strength” it has to be obtained via a doctor’s prescription and filled by a pharmacy. Common forms of prescription drugs include:

Painkillers
Depressants
Stimulants
Benzos

What makes a prescription drug a prescription drug is that it serves a specific purpose that has been prescribed for that very reason such as to treat pains and aches or to address more significant problems like mental health issues. When used as medically directed, prescription drugs are incredibly valuable and can help make life easier and more comfortable for the person that is taking it.

Unfortunately, however, not everyone who is prescribed drugs uses them only as medically directed. As a result, doctors don’t hand out prescriptions for certain medications as frequently as they used to. Not just because there is a tendency for them to be used in ways other than direction, but also, like in the case of painkillers, they can be highly addictive even if taken as medically directed. This can lead people to develop a dependency or even addiction to them.

What Is The Issue With Mixing Prescription Drugs With Alcohol?

Before you even receive the prescription from your doctor to take to the pharmacy, he or she will probably share with you some of the side effects that you might experience after taking the drug that you are being prescribed. If you watch enough tv, you have probably seen those drug commercials where the list of side effects might seem like it is never-ending.

Some of these side effects can be extreme enough that you have to be careful what you are doing when you are on a drug due to side effects such as drowsiness or loss of coordination. Prescription drug side effects can be even more serious and cause health problems such as changes in blood pressure, damage to the liver or other organs, and heart problems.

Some of those side effects are extreme enough on their own. Now consider the common side effects associated with drinking alcohol. Mix the possible side effects of alcohol and prescription drugs together and you could end up with a ticking time bomb of very serious and dangerous side effects. Not only that, but in the case of certain medications, drinking can actually make the drug you are taking less effective. That means that you then have to take more of it than what is advised by your doctor. Or, if that’s not an option, you are taking a medication for a specific ailment and it’s not working.

What Drugs Are the Worst To Mix with Alcohol?

While the list of prescription drugs is extensive, there are some that are particularly more dangerous to mix with alcohol than others. Here are some of the worst prescription drugs to mix with alcohol.

Antibiotics

As we touched on above, mixing prescription drugs with alcohol can cause the medications to be less effective or render them completely ineffective. For example, this can happen when mixing alcohol with antibiotics. Since an antibiotic is typically prescribed to treat a serious health issue such as an infection or illness, rendering an antibiotic useless with alcohol can be particularly concerning. On top of that, mixing alcohol with antibiotics can lead to additional health problems in addition to whatever the antibiotic is supposed to be treating including changes in blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, and liver damage.

Allergy Medications

On their own, allergy medications can oftentimes cause drowsiness or dizziness. It’s why many allergy medication companies tell you not to drive or operate heavy machinery while taking their medications. Another substance that often leads to drowsiness or dizziness is alcohol. Thus, mixing the two can lead to extreme dizziness or drowsiness which can result in loss of consciousness or impaired judgment.

Cholesterol Drugs

These days cholesterol medications are becoming more and more commonly prescribed to people. While they do a good job of helping people fight cholesterol issues, they come with their own sometimes serious side effects including liver damage, itching, stomach bleeding, and flushing. Some of these side effects, such as liver damage can also occur with alcohol. Thus, drinking while taking cholesterol medication can make the side effects associated with cholesterol medication more severe and cause even more damage to the liver.

Diabetes Medicine

For someone who is suffering from diabetes, drinking alcohol can affect their blood sugar levels. Considering the entire reason they are on diabetes medication is to regulate those blood sugar levels, that is less than ideal. On top of that, mixing the two can lead to headaches, vomiting, nausea, and changes in blood pressure which, in turn, can lead to heart problems.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

Mixing anti-anxiety medication and alcohol can lead to the following complications:

Memory loss
Abnormal behavior
Slowed breathing
Impaired motor control

Blood Thinners

For those taking blood thinners any amount of alcohol, no matter how little, can increase the chances of internal bleeding. As you can imagine, the more you drink the greater the risk. This, in turn, can make the blood thinner less effective. When a blood thinner loses its effectiveness, it can increase the chances of a blood clot forming which can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Muscle Relaxers

Muscle relaxers on their own can cause a person to not have complete control over certain motor skills. It can sometimes leave individuals drowsy or inattentive. So can alcohol. Combining the two can result in drowsiness, dizziness, memory loss, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor skills, and abnormal behavior.

What Are Some of the Dangers of Mixing Prescription Drugs With Alcohol?

As we talked about above, the dangers that come with mixing alcohol and prescription drugs can range from making the prescription drug less effective all the way to the potential of a heart attack or stroke. Even if there isn’t a risk of severe bodily harm or even death, mixing the two can still cause problems that are less than ideal. If the mixing of the two either results in the prescription drug being less effective or causes new issues, that can result in additional drugs needing to be taken, which can then lead to a whole new set of potential side effects.

Some major medical problems that can arise as a result of mixing prescription drugs with alcohol include:

Liver damage
Dizziness
Heart problems
Headaches
Fainting
Vomiting
Nausea
Internal bleeding
Impaired breathing
Depression
Drowsiness
Seizures
Trouble sleeping

What Happens If I Develop A Substance Abuse Problem?

If drinking while taking prescription drugs has led to a substance abuse or addiction problem, the good news is there are ways that you can get help addressing those issues.

Before treatment can begin though, the first thing that needs to be done is you need to go through detox. Detoxing is done in order to rid the body of all the harmful substances in it so that it can begin to heal. Detoxing should be done under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals at either a local medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment center that also offers detox services like Harmony Place. Attempting to self-detox can be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening.

After detox has been completed you will meet with a treatment professional to create a custom treatment plan for you and your needs. Whether it is inpatient or outpatient, treatment will largely consist of various therapy and counseling sessions to address what may have led to addiction as well as reprogram the brain so it no longer thinks that it needs those illicit substances anymore.

Have You Struggled With Mixing Prescription Drugs with Alcohol?

Facing the challenges of prescription drug addiction or alcoholism can be overwhelming, and recognizing the need for immediate help is crucial. For those affected, it’s essential to seek professional support to ensure a path to recovery. Harmony Place is dedicated to providing exceptional care for individuals struggling with these issues, offering a comprehensive approach to treatment that is both supportive and effective.

At Harmony Place, we understand the financial concerns that often accompany seeking treatment. That’s why we take health insurance, including plans from Optum and Anthem cover, to help make our services more accessible. By providing detailed information on alcohol rehab insurance coverage, we aim to ease the burden and allow clients to focus on their recovery journey without the added stress of financial worries.

Additionally, Harmony Place accepts Aetna and BCBS insurance, further broadening the accessibility of our treatment programs. We offer guidance on understanding how much alcohol rehab may cost and explore various options for paying for alcohol rehab. Our team is committed to helping you or your loved one overcome addiction and embark on a healthier, more fulfilling life. Let us support you every step of the way toward lasting recovery.

For more information on the treatment programs we offer or to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, contact us today.

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Chris P

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Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

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If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at

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