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What Happens To Your Health When You Mix Prozac And Alcohol?
Most people realize that the consumption of alcohol in large amounts and over long periods can result in addiction and can cause damaging and irreversible consequences on health. Maybe, not quite so clear, is the effect Prozac has on the body or if this too can have the same harmful result.
The truth is that both substances can be dangerous when misused, and if taken at the same time, their interactions can become increasingly harmful, especially to mental health.
The purpose of this blog is to highlight the dangers that can lead to serious health conditions by combining alcohol with fluoxetine and why it should be avoided.
Before continuing further, if you have any concerns about taking antidepressant medications, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
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What Do People Take Prozac For?
Prozac is a prescribed medicine and is generally administered in cases of major depressive disorder. Prozac is the brand name for the substance fluoxetine, an antidepressant drug.
This drug can also treat episodes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and less often milder mental health issues such as anxiety.
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, more commonly known as an SSRI. In the late 1980s, when Prozac was approved for medical use, it became perhaps one of the most used prescribed antidepressants, although today, we have other SSRIs that are more modern, such as citalopram and sertraline. Statistics show that around 1 in 4 women between the ages of 40 and 50 in the US, take an SSRI.
Although Prozac is safe when taken as prescribed, it is not recommended for people under 25 years old and carries a warning about the risk of suicide, as this SSRI tends to induce suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents.
For people suffering from severe depression disorders, this medication blocks the absorption of serotonin in the brain, and because serotonin is a neurotransmitter and regulates the way brain cells communicate, this blocking effect aids communication between brain cells to promote an uplifting and better mood.
To summarise, Prozac is a safe prescribed medication used as an antidepressant for various mental disorders, providing an uplift in mood and a better state of mind.
What Are The Risks of Mixing Prozac?
Anyone who is taking Prozac should be cautious about combining it with other drugs, especially those that affect the central nervous system, an example being benzodiazepines such as Xanax.
Likewise, there are several substances, even herbal, that Prozac should not be combined with. If in doubt, you should always get advice from a professional healthcare provider.
There are serious risks involved in using an SSRI in a way that is not medically intended, and this practice is not recommended.
It is worth mentioning that when someone has been using this drug for some time and suddenly stops using it without reducing the dose gradually, quite often, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.
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Some or all of these symptoms may appear but will depend on each person, how long they have taken the substance, and how the body and mind react to no longer receiving the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Feeling confused or disorientated.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Anxiety and agitation.
- Shaking and tremors.
- Nervousness and irritability.
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.
- Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
These withdrawal symptoms may only be mild, but if the substance has been combined with another, the severity could increase dramatically.
Is Mixing Prozac And Alcohol Dangerous Too?
For some reason or another, alcohol seems to be involved in several drug abuse conditions and is posing a much larger threat to existing substance use disorders.
Drinking alcohol in moderation is not dangerous, but any form of alcohol abuse or combining it with drugs like Prozac is going to worsen the problem.
If you are already taking Prozac, that means you have severe depression or other mental health condition that requires this medication. Mixing alcohol can have adverse effects and will fuel depressive symptoms as alcohol is a depressant in itself.
You have, more than likely, witnessed someone who has drunk alcohol and become depressed, even to the point of crying, or has started happy and ended up sad or feeling down. This is the effect alcohol has, so it is certainly not a game changer to treat depression.
The relationship between alcohol, drug abuse, and depression disorders can be seen in both substances, meaning when depression is already present, you are taking Prozac.
If you have an alcohol use disorder, you may also have feelings of depression, resulting in both conditions worsening the other. Heavy drinkers of alcohol may feel even more depressed, which can worsen the condition.
Self-medication with alcohol for depression is not a good idea as this can become a cycle and lead to addiction. It can also increase stress levels and induce other psychological problems that can impact one’s life significantly.
The consumption of alcohol alone in large quantities can cause reduced reactions, impaired judgment, fatigue, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Prozac causes drowsiness and can react the same way as alcohol, promoting the same effects. Taking Prozac and alcohol together can only enhance the experience of extreme drowsiness and deep sedation.
It should be remembered that the side effects of both substances will increase, and there will be more risk of having suicidal thoughts or intentions. Alcohol can lead to counteracting the effect of Prozac and may prevent the medication from being effective.
With that said, the effects of alcohol can only amplify symptoms of depression; combining Prozac and alcohol is certainly not recommendable due to the adverse effects it may cause on the body and mind.
What Is A Co-Occurring Disorder?
A co-occurring disorder means that a person has two disorders happening simultaneously. An example of this may be that you have severe depression and are being treated for this with prescribed medication, but at the same time, you are a heavy drinker and misusing alcohol.
To deal with both conditions and determine the relationship between the two, it is necessary to get specialized treatment to treat each disorder and eliminate the toxins from the body that may be causing conflict with each other.
The first stage of treatment generally starts with detoxification, which typically lasts around a week, depending on each individual’s progress.
The next step is residential rehab, where you will be provided with specific treatment and ongoing support to prevent relapse and make a full recovery.
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If I Have A Substance Use Disorder And Mixing With Alcohol Can I Get Help?
If you or someone close to you is experiencing any sort of substance use disorder or having problems with alcohol, you should seek help as soon as possible.
The earlier a problem is detected, the sooner it can be treated before it becomes a dependency and harder to break the addiction.
Heavy alcohol consumption may be worrying for family and friends who want to help, and seeking an alcohol addiction treatment is fundamental to secure the disorder from leading to overdose.
A combination of alcohol and Prozac may signify a co-occurring disorder that requires detox and rehab to resolve the cause and address the underlying factors.
Either way, it is essential to get help.
Resilient Recovery is located in Lancaster, California, and we pride ourselves on having a highly qualified medical team specializing in substance abuse and using effective treatments.
We have luxury facilities for detox and rehab procedures, along with individual, personalized treatment programs for specific disorders.
We use modern practices and holistic therapies as part of our ongoing support sessions and provide aftercare treatment to ensure every patient achieves long-lasting recovery.
You may be surprised, but some of our team members are recovering addicts themselves, so they are prepared and well-equipped to handle any concerns you may have and know only too well the challenges and obstacles involved in achieving sobriety.
Don’t feel alone, you can call us at any time and discuss your concerns. You are assured that our friendly staff will assist you in every way possible, help you with your decisions, and answer any queries you have.