Mixing alcohol with anxiety medication is more harmful than it seems. Alcohol can interfere with how these medications work and increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness, impaired coordination, or even dangerous respiratory issues. Many people may not be fully aware of how these effects can worsen over time.
If you’re on medication for anxiety, it’s important to understand how alcohol can interfere with your treatment. Regular alcohol use may increase the risk of dependence and, in some cases, lead to the need for professional alcohol detox.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Anxiety Meds?
Anxiety medications impact how your brain manages stress, mood, and energy. Some kinds of medication slow down overactive mental systems. Others rebalance your brain chemicals to bring feelings of anxiety down, like serotonin or norepinephrine.
Alcohol is a depressant that lowers activity in your central nervous system. When you have alcohol and anxiety meds in your body together, it can increase side effects – things like dizziness, confusion, or feeling drowsy. Depending on the specific medication prescribed, some combinations even raise the risk of an overdose.
Benzos – Risk Level: 10/10
Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, and Valium are fast-acting meds for panic and anxiety. They calm the nervous system, just like alcohol. If taken together, their effects stack up, slowing breathing, causing blackouts, and raising the risk of overdose.
Benzos can also be addictive, especially with long-term use. Mixing them with alcohol increases the chance of dependence. If stopping either leads to shaking, sweating, or confusion, medical detox may be needed to begin recovery safely.
SSRIs – Risk Level: 4/10
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like Zoloft, Lexapro, or Prozac) are usually prescribed for long-term anxiety and depression. Alcohol doesn’t exactly cancel them out, but it can worsen side effects. You might feel more tired, foggy, or emotionally flat. Drinking regularly can also reduce how well the medication works over time.
SNRIs – Risk Level: 5/10
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (like Effexor or Cymbalta) target two brain chemicals instead of one. When SNRIs are mixed with alcohol, they may increase blood pressure, heighten sedation, or amplify nausea and anxiety. These effects are more intense than with SSRIs, but still less risky than combining benzos and alcohol.
Buspirone – Risk Level: 3/10
Buspirone (Buspar) is a mild anti-anxiety medication that works slowly over time. It has fewer sedative effects than other drugs. Drinking while on buspirone is less risky, but it could still leave you feeling drowsy or lightheaded. It’s best to avoid alcohol if you’re adjusting to a new dose or unsure how your body will react.
Beta Blockers – Risk Level: 6/10
Beta blockers (like propranolol) are used for physical symptoms of anxiety: racing heart, trembling, sweating. Alcohol can make these side effects worse or drop your blood pressure too low. This combo may leave you feeling faint, dizzy, or off-balance.
Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers – Risk Level: 8/10
Some people take medications like Seroquel, Abilify, or lithium to manage anxiety linked to mood disorders. These medications affect your brain chemistry more broadly. Alcohol can interfere with absorption, increase sedation, and stress the liver. This mix often leads to unpredictable and sometimes dangerous side effects.
Why People Combine Alcohol and Anxiety Medication
People may mix anxiety medication with alcohol for various reasons, often without fully understanding the risks. Below are some common situations where this can happen:
- Accidental interactions: Not knowing that a new prescription doesn’t mix well with alcohol
- Trying to self-medicate: Using alcohol to relax or numb stress while also taking anxiety meds
- Lack of education: Being unaware of how risky the combination of alcohol and meds can be
- Routine use: Drinking often and assuming it won’t affect how the medication works
Knowing the reasons behind this behavior makes space for honest conversation. It reduces judgment and opens the door to better solutions.
Healthier Ways to Cope With Anxiety
Anxiety is difficult to deal with. When it builds up, reaching for a drink might feel like the fastest way to feel calm in the moment. But while you might get some short-term relief, alcohol often makes anxiety worse in the long run. There are better, safer ways to manage this. Some options include:
- Individual therapy: One-on-one support, often with cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help manage anxiety and replace unhelpful thought patterns
- Group support: Peer-based spaces or therapies where you can share experiences and gain insight from others facing similar struggles
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Combines medications with therapy to support recovery when alcohol use becomes a dependency
- Dual diagnosis care: Integrated treatment plans that address both anxiety symptoms and underlying alcohol use at the same time
When to Reach Out for Help
You don’t have to wait until things feel unmanageable before you look for help. If you’re noticing any of the following, it could be a sign that you should speak to a professional:
- You rely on alcohol to get through anxious moments
- You’re hiding how much you’re drinking while on meds
- You feel worse after drinking, but keep doing it
- You’ve tried to stop, but can’t seem to on your own
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, alcohol use, or both, help is available. There are people who understand, and programs designed to meet you where you are. You deserve real support and a future that feels steady again. A better tomorrow can start with one simple step today.
