Only me? Mixing alcohol and medication.

[meander]

Absolutely not only you. But given how difficult a lot of people find this issue to acknowledge, let alone talk about? Take a moment to give yourself a high five. It’s an incredibly important topic.

Again, high five for asking about this. It’s not an easy topic.

Thank you for not making light of this (not that anyone else did) and for raising some real issues. Medication for PTSD/depression/insomnia is all really new to me and the drinking has always been a weakness/self medicating fall back. I appreciate the exhortation to not take this lightly but also not to overreact and pile on guilt and shame.
Thank you.

 

[littleoc]

This absolutely isn’t anything to be guilty or ashamed about. It’s really good that you asked this question. :hug: If you need help, don’t worry about being shamed. No one is here to shame.

 

[somerandomguy]

Sure they do, @The Albatross. Someone out there right now who is taking some kind of medication is drinking.

I'm honestly not sure why you say that it doesn't happen. It does. Not everyone does, obviously. And I wasn't saying that anyone should.

 

[The Albatross]

Which is a tad different than people do it all the time everyday. Someone out there is... eh okay, yeah that would be true. "People all the time every day" would be the generalization.

Meander I am comorbid/cooccurring behaviors... PTSD/Alcohol substance abuse. I got treatment/recovery for the booze and underneath was the PTSD. I was full blown alcoholic on the start of recovery for 7 or so years before I recovered enough for someone to realize what I was describing was issues other than alcoholism. I was diagnosed several months after membership to this forum.

So... I'd look hard at the prognosis for co-occurring SUDS and PTSD cuz that is the lowest prognosis for recovery. Kicked my ass into high gear I can tell you that and I busted my ass in both recovery for booze and PTSD.

I hope knowing and recognizing that booze is not necessarily in your best interest at this time and that you've likely lost control of it a bit is a motivation to take firmer measures.

 

[meander]

So... I'd look hard at the prognosis for co-occurring SUDS and PTSD cuz that is the lowest prognosis for recovery. Kicked my ass into high gear I can tell you that and I busted my ass in both recovery for booze and PTSD.

I hope knowing and recognizing that booze is not necessarily in your best interest at this time and that you've likely lost control of it a bit is a motivation to take firmer measures.

Thanks @The Albatross .
(What are SUDS...and concurring with PTSD- sorry my jargon is limited! I’m a newbie to all this)

 

[The Albatross]

"...not sure why you say that it doesn't happen. It does. Not everyone does, obviously." Interesting as I did not say it does not happen, I did though say that no. No, not everybody does it every day all the time. Perceptually revealing.

SUDs is Substance Use Disorder... SUDS is Substance Use Disorder Syndrome... but also sometimes SUDs (though not in this case is Subjective Units of Distress).

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If you're an addict/alcoholic and you have PTSD... then welcome to my club and know that though stats say we're the lowest prognosis for recovery, grit - tenacity- purpose-drive and willpower... and management, management, relapse prevention and treatment are the key to the kingdom.

 

[meander]

I’m not sure I’m ready to say the words but I know tomorrow I won’t be able to say ‘No’ to a drink...

 

[The Albatross]

When the pain of staying the same meets or exceeds the pain/risk/fear of initiating change you will know this about yourself.

Only you? Nope. It is significant though to realize that a meager percent of PTS/PTSD w/ SUDs even bother to seek out and ask or initiate any recovery what so ever, that is a good thing.

 

[Friday]

Of course not only you. Thousands of people die in the US alone each year from mixing booze & pills. And that number doesn’t account for the people who survive but with severe brain & organ damage, or who are hospitalized for psychiatric break, overdose, and other lesser injuries. Nor for the number of suicides that happen when chemically induced suicidal ideation, hopelessness, despair are merged with loss of inhibition and decreased impulse control. Booze & pills in the same room don’t even need a suicide note to be classed as either a suicide or accidental death. That’s how common it is.

A total of 979 drugs are known to interact with Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) (ethanol).

• 174 major drug interactions
• 768 moderate drug interactions
• 37 minor drug interactions

Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) Drug Interactions - Drugs.com

If you mix a prescription drug with alcohol, either by accident or specifically to get high, there is a high risk of overdose or damage to the body. If you see someone experiencing a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning, it is extremely important to call 911 immediately.

There are also several chronic health problems that can be caused by mixing alcohol with prescription drugs. These may include:

• Heart problems, stroke, or heart attack
• Liver damage, failure, or cancer
• Internal bleeding
• Brain damage
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems

Antidepressants

: While antidepressant drugs, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are a very important development in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and related mental health problems, these drugs should never be taken without also going to therapy sessions. Abuse of antidepressants is rare, but it does happen, especially in the form of prescription misuse.

Mixing antidepressants with alcohol can lead to problematic effects. When mixed with alcohol, your antidepressant may be less effective, so you may feel depressed or anxious. Cognitive processes like memory or thinking can be inhibited, or you may feel very sleepy or sedated. Older classes of antidepressants, called MAOIs, can cause damage to the heart when mixed with alcohol. High blood pressure, increased risk of blood clots, and heart attack can all lead to lasting harm or death. Side effects of mixing any antidepressant with alcohol can become dangerous and may include:

• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Increased risk of overdose or poisoning
• Increased feelings of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation
• Impaired motor control that can lead to accidents
• Liver damage

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[LuckiLee]

When my guy is symptomatic and drinks with his meds (especially liquor) his symptoms intensify dramatically. It's quite scary to be honest. That's when his SI comes into play.

 

[EveHarrington]

There’s also the concern that you’re drinking alcohol (a depressant) with an antidepressant, so in effect they can be working against one another.

Alcohol can also make sympuspike for many of us with ptsd. I gave up drinking because it was hell on my symptoms. I’ve had a few drinks and while alcohol seems to not have the major immediate effects, I am still pretty much a non-drinker (less than one drink a year!)

 

[ILoveLife]

No, you are not alone in this.

most dangerous mix I ever did was a pain med with only a sip of champagne. Forgot about the following 12 hours.

actually one of the reasons I haven't really drunk a lot in the past 4 years is because I was afraid of mixing meds and booze.

Then got sober so I'm no longer afraid of it. Best remedy ever.