What happens if you take anxiolytics and alcohol?

Every day there are more people who drink anxiolytics. The use of drugs for anxiety disorders has been growing, motivated by the belief that anxiolytics are the quick and effective solution to these problems.

But the consumption of another substance, alcohol, has been well present in our society for a long time. Whether its use is linked to a psychological disorder or not, the truth is that this substance is part of social life, something essential for many.

Thus, taking into account that both substances are widely consumed today, many people wonder what happens if you take anxiolytics and alcohol, what is their danger and what problems can they generate. We will resolve these doubts below.

• Related article: "Alcoholism: these are the effects of dependency on drinking"

What happens if you take anxiolytics and alcohol?

Consuming alcohol and anxiolytics at the same time carries many risks. Regardless of the reason that anxiolytics have been prescribed, it is very important to understand that most of them turn out to be a very bad combination with alcohol. In fact, alcohol consumption is the main contraindication for most drugs, both those prescribed for psychopathology and for medical conditions. Drinks can aggravate anxiety disorder symptoms and lead to medical problems.

In all drugs, and specifically anxiolytics, their main contraindications are indicated in their prescription, in addition to their therapeutic effect, side effects and indications. Although each drug has in its prescription a very detailed explanation of why they should not be taken with alcohol, basically most of them agree on the following reasons.

1. More accidents

Drinking alcohol while under treatment for anxiolytics can increase the risk of accidents, both domestic and traffic. The combination of both substances can cause the person to accidentally fall, cut or hit himself and cause injuries that he does not know how they occurred.

This effect is quite distinctive from benzodiazepines, which are the most widely used group of tranquilizers and hypnotics. These drugs taken with alcohol can impair coordination, especially in elderly people, which is why there would be more accidents.

Also cause a deterioration in breathing during sleep and affect cognitive abilities, such as concentration, memory and learning.

2. Behavioral disturbance

Anxiolytics are prescribed for people who suffer from an emotional disorder, which in itself can cause behavior problems. It is a very bad idea for people diagnosed with these disorders to drink alcohol, as it can further aggravate their behavior problems.

The prescription of anxiolytics focuses on reducing the symptoms caused by the anxiety disorder. However, taking only the drug without going to a psychologist, who will teach the patient strategies to control their anxiety and know how to deal with her problems, is not a good option.

In psychologist therapy, the patient will learn to modify the behaviors that may have led him to find himself in this stateSuch as having heated arguments with your family and worrying excessively about school or employment.

The consumption of alcohol, far from helping in the resolution of these conflicts, worsens them. It is possible that, having drunk alcohol and taking anxiolytics, you are even more anxious, having more discussions with the family or being unable to control studies and work, generating even more anxiety and entering a circle vicious.

3. Potentiation of its effects

When alcohol is taken together with anxiolytics, the effect generated is greater than the sum of these substances. That is, combined, the effect of alcohol and anxiolytics is enhanced.

To understand it, if we drink a beer and also drink a diazepam, the effects of these substances will be equivalent to having taken two of each. This increased potentiation of effects is the first step on the road to a potential danger: overdose intoxication. making combining a beer with a diazepam is like having two of each.

4. Rebound effect

It is clear that the consumption of anxiolytics has as its main objective the reduction of anxiety, in addition to being prescribed to sleep better. Alcohol, without combining it with other substances, is also usually consumed for that purpose, that is, to reduce anxiety and worry, although it is not the best option for this.

Likewise, based on this, not a few people think that the sedative of alcohol is therapeutic, which they believe that having a drink at night before going to sleep is a good way to induce sleep.

The problem with this, if you are already taking anxiolytics, is that it does not really induce a better sleep, rather the opposite: there is a rebound effect. Alcohol and anxiolytics together cause nervousness and anguish to come after hours and, even if you manage to fall asleep, it will be of poorer quality.

If I take anxiolytics, should I say goodbye to alcohol?

As we have already said, alcohol is contraindicated if anxiolytics are taken. However, this does not mean that if you are under drug treatment you should completely avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. There are several factors that make it possible to even drink alcohol in moderation and in low amounts.

First of all, it should be understood that the use of anxiolytics does not serve to cure anxiety disorder or sleep problems, but rather reduce the intensity of your symptoms. These problems are psychological disorders, with a cause that must be worked on and, in the consultation of the psychologist, strategies should be learned to deal with the events that generate anxiety. Since these drugs can even hide the symptoms of the disorder, it is best not to leave recovery in the hands of the drugs alone.

While in the psychiatrist's office, he will give us information about the prescribed drug, how it should be taken, in what quantity and at what frequency.. While there, you may be asked about what can and cannot be taken while the treatment lasts, including substances such as alcohol and tobacco. It is hoped that the psychiatrist does not recommend taking addictive substances, however, he should tell us the differences between anxiolytics with respect to their interaction with alcohol.

As we were already saying, alcohol is a very important socializing element in our culture. We have a very established habit of going out with friends and having a beer.

During treatment of an anxiety or mood disorder, socializing with family and friends is critical to achieving recovery. This is why completely banishing alcohol from our lives can have more cons than pros, taking the risk to isolate ourselves to avoid going out in situations where alcohol is essential and, thus, worsen the disorder anxiety.

Although alcohol is still a drug, its consumption being a risk factor for addiction and medical problems, taking it in low amounts is not a problem. Moderation and what the psychiatrist has specified are fundamental aspects when under psychopharmacological treatmentIn addition to being responsible and avoiding consuming alcohol immediately after or before taking the anxiolytic.

However, all precautions are little. As we have already mentioned, combining alcohol with anxiolytics enhances the effect of both, running the risk of causing intoxication by overdose. Alcohol can also be abused progressively, making what at first was a consumption becomes an addiction, and that is the last thing a person with an anxiety.

Bibliographic references:

• Gómez-Jarabo, G. (1999). Behavioral Pharmacology. Basic manual for psychotherapists and clinicians. Madrid: Synthesis psychology.
• Morón, F.G.; Borroto, R.; Calvo, D.M.; Cires, M.; Cruz, M.A. and Fernández, A. (2009). Clinical pharmacology. Havana: Medical Sciences Editorial; 1-30.
• Stevens, J.C. & Pollack, M.H. (2005). Benzodiazepines in clinical practice: consideration of their long-term use and alternative agents. J Clin Psychiatry; 66 (Suppl 2): ​​21-7.