Depression, Antidepressants and Alcohol.

Alcohol and depression is a bad mix to be avoided as it worsens your depression symptoms and can be dangerous. If you have depression or are on antidepressants, it is best to avoid alcohol altogether. The reasons are given below.

Depression and Alcohol.

  • In smaller doses, alcohol is a stimulant but in higher doses, alcohol is a depressant. It therefore worsens the existing depression, more so when alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence and depression run together.
  • Though alcohol gives you a mood lift, this a short term benefit. Alcohol decreases the efficacy of the antidepressants and worsens the symptoms of depression.
  • Alcohol disturbs your coordination, judgment and motor reflexes. Antidepressants and alcohol combination makes these conditions worse than with alcohol alone.
  • Alcohol increases the risk of side effects of antidepressant drugs.
  • Some antidepressants cause sedation and drowsiness. If alcohol is combined with these medicines, these effects are intensified.
  • MAOI and Alcohol. If you are on MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), a type of antidepressant, and take alcohol, it might cause a sudden and dangerous spike in blood pressure.
  • A patient with depression is at an increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse. See complications of depression.
  • Once addicted to alcohol, a depressed patient may stop the drug to have alcohol and may restart it again. This is not advised as it will only worsen the depression because consistency is important when taking antidepressants for treatment.
  • However an occasional drink may be okay but it depends on the condition, Doctor’s advice should be taken before that drink.
  • Alcohol adversely affects the sleep pattern which in turn will worsen the depression.
  • Alcohol causes other health problems and worsens any existing ones. Read effects of alcohol.

Summary.

Alcohol use and depression is a bad mix because it worsens the depression.  With alcohol, antidepressants do not work as effectively and the risk of their side effects is increased.

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