Alcohol and Painkillers: What happens when you combine them by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.
If the intake of alcohol is under the limit that is recommended and if the painkiller medication is not too strong, then taking the two together can be relatively safe. In the discussion which follows, we will discuss how the body reacts when these two substances are taken at the same time.
There are two classes of painkillers as defined by pharmaceutical companies: prescription-only and over-the-counter. The misconception that over-the-counter painkillers are always safe to consume is widely held. The fact is that when they are taken with alcohol, they can be quite dangerous. To protect yourself, it is best to read the product information that is on the label of the medication.
The manufacturers of these over-the-counter painkillers explicitly state whether or not it is safe to take them with alcohol. Even so, it is best not to drink alcohol and take these medications under any circumstances.
Can Painkillers Be Safely Taken After Drinking Alcohol?
It is strongly advised that you refrain from drinking alcohol if you are taking prescription painkillers or any strong dose of the these medications. Either speak to your pharmacist or health care provider or check the information that comes with the medication as far as over-the-counter painkillers are concerned. Do not exceed the amount of alcohol noted in the literature and always take the correct dose of the medicine as listed on the label.
The Effects Of Combining Alcohol And Painkillers
The effects will vary depending upon which type of painkiller your are taking and the amount of alcohol that the patient has consumed. Since both substances act as depressants by affecting the nervous system, they should not be taken at the same time. The combination causes both your respiratory and nervous system to relax and slow down. As breathing slows, the amount of oxygen entering the body decreases. Secondly, both of these substances affect the organs of the digestive system, particularly the liver.
Anti-convulsants And Alcohol
Anti-convulsants calm the neurons in the nervous system. These painkillers are often use to stabilize moods. While they are often prescribed to help treat seizure disorders, when they are combined with alcohol, they can actually cause seizures to occur. The symptoms occur instantly and are readily noticed. They include drowsiness that can quickly become extreme as well as lightheadedness.
Alcohol And Opioids
People who drink alcohol while taking any form of opioids are at extreme risk of dying. Breathing problems and severe dizziness often occur which can lead to a cardiac arrest. In these cases, there is an urgent need for medical attention.
Alcohol and Over-The-Counter Drugs
As previously mentioned, painkillers sold over-the-counter don’t pose a danger to humans. However, even though breathing can slow down over the short term, the long-term side effects of these drugs can lead to extensive liver damage and ulcers.
Alcohol And Anti-Depressants
The human body is at risk when taking anti-depressants at the same time as alcohol. When the two are combined, there is a strong risk of overdosing and suicidal thoughts may present themselves.
The combination of painkillers with alcohol consumption is a fairly risky business. When someone suffers from alcoholism, it may affect the way that medications work in the body. While it may seem safe to use them together because no immediate problems present themselves. the risk of long-term damage to the body remains present.
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.
Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.
Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.
Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331