Side Effects of Sertraline and Alcohol

Having mental health problems doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Every day, people go on as normal, treated with medication and trying to minimise the effect it has on their lives. Many of these people are on medication.

Last year, in England, 92.6 million antidepressant items were prescribed. A common antidepressant is sertraline.

Though you don’t want life to be interrupted, being on medication can make it more dangerous to do certain activities, like drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol whilst taking sertraline is generally discouraged as alcohol may worsen side effects, affect judgement and interfere with your mental health treatment.

If you are concerned about the side effects of sertraline and alcohol, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

What Is Sertraline?

Sertraline is a prescription antidepressant. It is part of a medication group called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work by increasing serotonin levels in your brain.

Serotonin helps with mood regulation, so sertraline is used to treat conditions such as:

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Sertraline?

The official NHS guidance is that it is best to avoid drinking alcohol whilst taking sertraline.

Reactions can vary from person to person, and there is no way to predict how you will react to the combination. That means there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink with sertraline, which is why you probably shouldn’t do it.

If in any doubt, speak to your prescribing doctor or a pharmacist.

Common Side Effects of Mixing Sertraline and Alcohol

It’s not advised to drink alcohol whilst taking sertraline because of the potential side effects. They include:

• Increased sedation, causing drowsiness
• Impaired coordination and slower reactions
• Dizziness and nausea
• Headaches
• Sleep disruption
• Confusion

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down activity in your brain. Reactions, judgement and motor skills can all be affected. This combination can then increase the risk of you getting into an accident or making unsafe decisions that you wouldn’t make sober.

How Alcohol May Affect Mental Health Treatment

Many people drink to self-medicate mental health issues, but it can actually make them worse. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety if you continue to use it to cope.

This is because alcohol affects the brain, disrupting processes. This can lead to poorer sleep and mood regulation, causing more stress and anxiety, leading to a deeper depression. All this can interrupt any mental health treatment progress you are making, disrupting the effectiveness of medications and causing you to be less active with things that have been helping you.

Drinking alcohol can make it harder too for people to help you. It may make it difficult to figure out whether symptoms you are suffering from are due to alcohol, medication you are on or the underlying condition.

Are There More Serious Risks?

There is the potential to develop more serious side effects when mixing sertraline and alcohol.

• Alcohol can stop the benefits you get from sertraline, worsening depression, impulsivity and suicidal thoughts, a combination which requires urgent support.

• Alcohol comes with its own range of physical and psychological side effects, such as increased cancer risk, liver disease, cognitive issues and addiction.

At some point, it may be time to call emergency services. If you feel that someone you know is at an immediate risk of suicide or suffering from severe confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures or breathing problems, don’t delay in contacting emergency services. Call 999 or get to A&E as soon as possible.

What Should You Do If You Have Consumed Alcohol?

If you have drunk alcohol whilst taking sertraline, it’s natural to be worried. What you shouldn’t do is panic or try to rectify the error by taking more or less sertraline to compensate.

You should avoid consuming alcohol and seek advice from a pharmacist or GP, or call the non-emergency NHS line of 111 if you are concerned. If you are displaying any urgent symptoms talked about above, then you require emergency care and should call 999 or get someone to take you to the hospital.

Should You Stop Taking Sertraline to Drink Alcohol?

You should not stop taking sertraline or skip a dose because you believe that means you can drink. Unfortunately, stopping your sertraline intake abruptly can cause withdrawal, potentially leading to unpleasant symptoms.

Common symptoms of sertraline withdrawal include:

• Dizziness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbance
• Unusual sensory experiences (burning sensations, smelling things that aren’t there, pins and needles)

Before making any change to how you take your medication, speak to your prescribing doctor.

When Does Alcohol Become Problematic?

Casual alcohol use can begin to develop into a problem if you continue drinking. Knowing the signs of problematic drinking can help you see that you may need help and act before the situation gets worse.

Signs that you may be becoming alcohol dependent include:

• Regularly drinking more than intended
• Being unable to cut down
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop
• Using alcohol to cope with mental health issues (depression, anxiety) or deal with emotional difficulties

Alcohol dependence often occurs alongside mental health conditions. 73% of people in treatment for alcohol last year also had a mental health need, showing how prevalent the combination is.

If you are dependent, don’t stop abruptly on your own. Seek medical guidance first or consider undergoing residential addiction treatment for a professional detox programme.

Treatment for Alcohol Dependence and Mental Health Conditions

Having a dual diagnosis, suffering from mental health issues alongside addiction, does not mean that treatment isn’t possible. Instead, an integrated approach is needed. This means that the issues are dealt with simultaneously, understanding how they impact one another and ensuring treatment of either doesn’t disrupt the other.

With a personalised treatment approach that incorporates medically supported alcohol detoxification, psychological therapy and medication reviews, you’re likely to engage with treatment more. You’ll get a better understanding of personal triggers, and staff are better equipped to help you with all the relevant information.

Asana Lodge provides personalised treatment plans with alcohol rehabilitation and mental health support. Staying for the duration in a supportive environment, in privacy and under expert care, will help you reset and start your recovery journey in a more effective way.

We also offer continuing aftercare, giving you access to resources after you leave to help with relapse prevention and keeping you connected to a support network.

Concerned About Sertraline and Alcohol? Get Professional Help Today

If you are worried about the side effects of sertraline and alcohol, speak to your medical professional.

For those struggling with their drinking, it’s a good thing to ask for help. Start your recovery journey and contact Asana Lodge for confidential support and an assessment.