There’s also a chance you may experience unusual mood swings or irritability. This can feel frustrating, and it’s important to recognize these shifts as they happen. Feeling like things aren’t quite right is your intuition trying to give you a nudge. If you’re at low risk of alcohol misuse and want to have a drink once in a while, it might be OK. In extreme cases, drinking alcohol while taking an SSRI like Lexapro can sometimes lead to side effects such as becoming violent.

Understanding the Effects of Lexapro on Mental Health

Considering the long-term effects, alcohol can also trigger anxiety and depression while increasing the risk of suicide and self-harm. Moreover, as a person continues to become dependent on alcohol, their excessive use may cause many social issues, such as homelessness, divorce, and unemployment. A healthcare professional can also keep you accountable and help you monitor any unusual reactions if you ever find yourself tempted to mix these substances. 🗨️ The more you know, the better you can manage your mental health while on medication.

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• Moreover, as a person continues to become dependent on alcohol, their excessive use may cause many social issues, such as homelessness, divorce, and unemployment.
• When discussing alcohol and Lexapro, it’s essential to understand Lexapro’s side effects.
• Have you ever tried a fun non-alcoholic beverage when you’re out with friends?
• We’ll talk a bit more about what happens when you mix Lexapro and alcohol in the next section, but first, let’s dive into some of the side effects of mixing Lexapro and alcohol.
• You may not want to skip having a drink just because you take an antidepressant.

Lexapro and alcohol have dehydrating properties, which may lead to symptoms similar to a hangover. Some of these alcohol and Lexapro hangover symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue, which may occur even after having a small amount of alcohol. If your depression gets worse or you have thoughts of harming yourself, talk to your doctor immediately. Because alcohol can cause depression on its own and make some antidepressants not work well, this could lead you to think about suicide. However, a person should always talk to their doctor before having any alcohol if they are also taking Lexapro or any other medicines.

Why Is Mixing Lexapro and Alcohol Risky?

Additionally, research links alcohol use and increased rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Lexapro and other SSRIs block serotonin from being reabsorbed by the brain after it’s been used. Lastly I’ll explain alternative ways of treating sober house depression that don’t involve prescription medications.

Understanding the Risks: Alcohol and Lexapro Interaction

Healthcare professionals do not generally recommend that people drink alcohol while taking Lexapro. Located in New Hampshire, Liberty Health Services offers exceptional medical detox and customized addiction treatment for individuals throughout New England. Our supportive environment and experienced team are dedicated to helping you start your path to long-term wellness and recovery. Understanding the interaction between alcohol and Lexapro requires delving into how each substance affects the brain. Lexapro, an SSRI, increases serotonin levels, which are crucial for mood regulation. In contrast, alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, altering brain function and neurotransmission.

It’s important for individuals https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ on Lexapro to have an open dialogue with their healthcare providers about alcohol consumption. This conversation is crucial for receiving personalized advice and understanding the unique risks based on individual health profiles and treatment plans. Many people find themselves wondering whether it’s safe to enjoy a drink while on this popular antidepressant. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a night out without worrying about potential risks? 🎉 But before you pour that glass of wine, it’s essential to dive into the facts about how these two substances can interact.

Common Insurance Plans for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Though uncommon, using Lexapro can also enhance the risk of suicide in some people. Since alcohol worsens depression, it may also increase the overall suicide risk. If you experience any long-term side effects from mixing alcohol and Lexapro, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to avoid further complications. Health professionals strongly advise against drinking alcohol while on Lexapro.

Alcohol and Lexapro affect the brain’s neurotransmission, and combining them can result in unwanted symptoms. Lexapro and other SSRIs are used to treat the symptoms relating to these psychological disorders to give patients relief and help them feel more “normal” in their day-to-day lives. It just means that it’s important to get the help and support you need and that it may be more important to consider treatment centers and medical assistance. Addiction is complicated, and spotting addition to alcohol is often harder in our society because of the widespread acceptance of alcohol use. But, if you suspect that you might be addicted, drink more often than you should, or have more drinks in a single sitting than you should, those can all be good indicators of a problem. It’s in your best interest to abstain from or minimize alcohol intake when you take Lexapro, says Figueroa.

Lexapro Side Effects With Alcohol: The Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder

While Lexapro and Xanax are effective in treating anxiety and depression, their interaction with alcohol can lead to adverse effects and diminish their therapeutic benefits. It is imperative for individuals on these medications to engage in open and honest discussions with their healthcare providers about alcohol use. Making informed choices about alcohol consumption while on these medications is crucial for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Most people should not drink alcohol during treatment with the medication.

Can You Mix Lexapro and Alcohol Safely?

If you think you may be having difficulty with this, talk with your doctor. In clinical tests, combining Lexapro with alcohol did not increase the mental or physical impairments caused by alcohol. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Sign up to receive mental health news and tips delivered right in your inbox every month. But if depression is interfering with your daily life, make an appointment to see your doctor.

This can help people regulate their emotions and improve overall symptoms of depression and anxiety. You can also talk to your primary care physician to see what addiction resources are in your area. Lexapro is a common SSRI antidepressant and a good option for people with certain mental disorders. To avoid dangerous side effects such as drowsiness and liver problems, it’s best not to use alcohol while you take Lexapro. If you have any questions regarding Lexapro and alcohol, it’s always best to consult your doctor.

Preventing reabsorption (or “reuptake”) keeps more serotonin in the brain than usual.

Depressants are drugs that slow your central nervous system, which can be used to deal with various symptoms and problems. Your side effects are also more likely to be severe or harmful the higher your dose of Lexapro and the more alcohol you drink in one sitting. SSRIs are some of the safest antidepressants, which is one reason that Lexapro and other SSRIs are often the first antidepressants your doctor will recommend. That being said, mixing alcohol and Lexapro is not ideal and generally not recommended, says Poulakos. Here’s what you need to know about the interaction between alcohol and Lexapro. If you feel drowsy, dizzy, and less alert on Lexapro alone, you will likely not be able to tolerate the combined effects of alcohol.

But if you drink, it could also make it harder to treat your depression or anxiety. That’s because alcohol can change the balance of chemicals in your brain that affect mood. For example, alcohol is a depressant, and although it may offer short-term relief from depressive symptoms, it might make depression worse over time.

With or without a drug, alcohol may aggravate your symptoms of anxiety and depression. Talk to your doctor before you have a drink to see what’s safest for you. Food and Drug Administration, clinical trials have yet to show with certainty that Lexapro increases alcohol-related cognitive and motor impairments. Instead, it means that more research is needed to understand how Lexapro and alcohol interact with each other in your brain. However, what we do know for sure is that alcohol consumption can potentially worsen depression, even in individuals taking antidepressants.