The Dangers of Mixing Trazodone and Alcohol
We’ve all seen warning labels on medication bottles. Many of them warn consumers to avoid alcohol while taking said medication, but not everyone takes those warnings seriously. However, these warnings should not be taken lightly. consuming a cocktail of substances can create harmful interactions, ranging from mild to severe.
It’s imperative to familiarize yourself with any medications you’re taking, consult a healthcare professional with any questions, and follow the guidelines in place. Over the course of one year, 40% of adults took medication that, when combined with alcohol, could have negative effects.
So, what happens when you mix trazodone and alcohol?
What is Trazodone?
Trazodone—also known as Desyrel or Oleptro—is an antidepressant. It’s designed for treating depression, but is sometimes used for anxiety and as an off-label treatment for insomnia. It is the first serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) approved by the FDA that helps the brain maintain mental balance. With the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other medications, Trazodone is not as commonly prescribed as it used to be.
How Does It Work?
A full grasp on how trazodone acts on each mechanism in the brain is not yet understood. What is known is that trazodone affects a variety of different receptors within the brain, including serotonin receptors.
Serotonin is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter—or chemical messenger in the brain—that largely impacts a person’s mood, emotions, and sleep. Trazodone inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, leaving more of it in the gaps between the nerve cells. This allows for higher transmission of serotonin throughout the brain. This elevates mood and relieves symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.
Trazodone also blocks receptors that further alter the activity of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain such as norepinephrine. A lot of these receptors help to keep you awake and alert, so these blocks can contribute to trazodone’s therapeutic, calming, and sedative effects that make it effective for sleep disturbances.
Alcohol and Depression
It is not uncommon for people struggling with depression to use alcohol for as a coping mechanism. Alcohol and depression can be closely related and the interaction between the two can be a complex and vicious cycle. Alcohol may temporarily alleviate the feelings tied to depression, but it will only worsen the condition in the long run.
Some people with depression and other mental health problems may drink alcohol to self-medicate. It can briefly numb whatever mental pain someone is in or provide an escape, but it is an unhealthy coping mechanism and excessive use can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms.
Alcohol can further disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and intensify the negative feelings of depression. It also increases the likelihood of impaired judgment and engaging in more self-destructive behavior that does not help the situation.
The cycle goes on and on.
If an individual is taking medication for their mental health, adding alcohol into the mix can have serious, long term consequences. The interactions of alcohol with medication can lower the effectiveness of the medication or sometimes lead to dangerous and even fatal side effects.
Trazodone Interactions with Alcohol
Both trazodone and alcohol are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Alcohol is a depressant that impairs cognitive and motor functions of the CNS while trazodone affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and has sedative effects. Mixing both substances can intensify the effects each one has and lead to a variety of unwanted adverse effects.
When used together, the sedative effects of trazodone and alcohol can be far greater. These effects can put people in a fog and increase the risk of accidents and poor decision making. The effects of taking both can overly depress the CNS and in turn, cause breathing to slow or completely stop.
Worsening Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
Trazodone and alcohol both affect serotonin in the brain. At first, they both increase the serotonin, but alcohol will then quickly decrease it. This exacerbates the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Taking both leads to a complicated relationship of simultaneously increasing and decreasing serotonin levels in the brain. This can lead to worse depression and anxiety symptoms as well as serotonin syndrome.
Both substances also affect dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in the pleasure and reward system of the brain. It also plays a part in things like mood, motivation, and motor function. Alcohol increases dopamine while trazodone decreases it. This can blunt both their effects or lead to unpredictable behavior and moods.
Depressant Overdose
You can overdose on when mixing trazodone with alcohol, and even if you’re lucky enough to get away with your life, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other negative effects you’ll experience from combining the two.
Dual-Diagnosis
Whether trazodone is prescribed, taken recreationally, or taken off-label for insomnia or another issue, combining it with alcohol can have harmful consequences. The potential effects of mixing trazodone and alcohol can vary based on dosages and the volume of alcohol consumed, along with other personal factors unique to each individual, but even small amounts can lead to undesired effects.
Alcohol and trazodone taken together can worsen a person’s mental well-being and have harmful or life threatening physical effects. It is critical to avoid alcohol when taking trazodone, and many other medications. The warning labels are there for a reason and mixing medications and alcohol can result in real danger.
If trazodone or another medication is being taken for mental health concerns but someone is unable to stop drinking, despite the risks, they may have a dual-diagnosis. This refers to having co-occurring disorders with mental health and substance misuse at the same time.
If you are experiencing adverse effects or it is difficult for you or a loved one to avoid alcohol while taking medication, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Treating trazodone and substance use disorders will be an individual journey, but treatment often involves a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, support networks, and sometimes medication.
Support with Sequoia Behavioral Health
The team at Sequoia Behavioral Health is compassionate, educated, and experienced and ready to help you or your loved one break the destructive cycle. No matter what you are battling, we want to help you on your journey and see you come out victorious on the other side.
We are dedicated to creating individualized care for each person who walks through our doors and provide them with the tools they need to make healthy and lasting change.
Reach out today to get started on a better tomorrow!