Herbie Murray
Alcohol and sleeping pills are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants, meaning they slow brain activity. Mixing them can be dangerous or even deadly. The side effects of sleeping pills are magnified when taken with alcohol, and the combination can lead to serious adverse effects, including slowed or stopped breathing, a slowed heart rate, an increased risk of falls, vehicle accidents, and fatal overdoses. Older adults are especially vulnerable to the side effects of this combination, which may include confusion and constipation. Mixing alcohol with certain prescription sleep aids, such as benzodiazepines, can be particularly dangerous as it increases the effects of alcohol and the likelihood of substance misuse and dependence. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol and sleeping pills, professional treatment is available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Dangerous and even deadly in some cases |
| Side effects | Increased dizziness, drowsiness, slowed or stopped breathing, slowed heart rate, increased risk of falls, vehicle accidents, fatal overdose, amnesia, sleepwalking, sleep eating, driving while half-asleep, rebound insomnia |
| Treatment | Medical detox, co-occurring disorder treatment, rebound insomnia treatment, individual, group and family therapy, recreational therapy/art therapy, relapse prevention skills training, aftercare planning, behavioural interventions |
| Prevention | Avoid mixing sleeping pills with alcohol, especially prescription medication without a doctor's permission, allow at least six hours between the last drink and the first dose of sleeping pills |
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What You'll Learn
Mixing sleeping pills and alcohol can be deadly
Mixing sleeping pills and alcohol can have serious health consequences and can even be deadly in some cases. Both substances are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which means they slow down brain activity. When taken together, their depressive effect is compounded, leading to a range of side effects, from increased dizziness and drowsiness to slowed or stopped breathing, a slowed heart rate, and even death.
The dangers of mixing sleeping pills and alcohol depend on several factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, the type of sleeping pill taken, and the time between consuming alcohol and taking the sleeping pill. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of side effects, and some sleeping pills may have adverse effects such as memory loss and sleepwalking even when taken on their own.
Sleeping pills and alcohol can also increase the risk of drug interactions, especially in older adults. This can lead to dizziness, falls, and a greater risk of fractures. Additionally, the addictive nature of both substances can lead to substance misuse and dependence when taken together over a period of time.
It is important to always review your medications with a doctor and pharmacist to screen for possible drug interactions. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol and sleeping pills, professional treatment is available, including medical detox and rehab programs.
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Side effects of both are magnified when taken together
Mixing sleeping tablets and alcohol can magnify the side effects of both substances. Both sleeping pills and alcohol are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which slow brain activity. When taken together, the depressive effect is compounded, and the likelihood of substance misuse and dependence increases. This can lead to a potentially fatal sleeping pill overdose.
Sleeping pills and alcohol can cause a range of side effects, from increased dizziness and drowsiness to slowed or stopped breathing (respiratory depression), a slowed heart rate, and an increased risk of falls, vehicle accidents, and fatal overdoses. The risk of these side effects is greater for older patients, and the combination of alcohol with certain over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications can increase the risk of drug interactions, dizziness, and falls in this age group.
In addition, sleeping pills and alcohol can have dangerous side effects, especially parasomnia, which involves involuntary actions such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, and even driving while half-asleep. These events are rare but potentially dangerous to both the individual and those around them. Alcohol can also hinder the body from entering the deeper stages of sleep, leading to lower quality sleep.
The dangers of mixing sleeping pills and alcohol depend on several factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, the type of sleeping pill taken, and the time between consuming alcohol and taking the sleeping pill. It is recommended to wait at least six hours between the last drink of alcohol and the first dose of the sleeping pill to allow the body to process the alcohol. However, it can take up to 20-25 hours for the body to clear all the alcohol.
It is important to seek professional help if struggling with addiction to alcohol or sleeping pills. Treatment options include medical detox, behavioural interventions, and therapy.
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Withdrawal symptoms from both can be dangerous
Combining sleeping pills and alcohol is dangerous and can even be deadly. Both substances are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, meaning they slow brain activity and increase sedation and the risk of side effects when taken together. This can lead to a potentially fatal sleeping pill overdose. Even small amounts of alcohol combined with sleeping pills can result in serious symptoms such as over-sedation, confusion, dizziness, fainting, slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, and impaired motor control.
Withdrawal symptoms from both alcohol and sleeping pills can also be dangerous and may include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, and possible suicidal ideations. In rarer cases, acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome can lead to delirium tremens. Withdrawal from sedative-hypnotic type sleeping pills may include restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and tremors. When attempts are made to quit using both substances, withdrawal symptoms can be even more severe or complicated. Therefore, it is important that people trying to quit do so under the care of a physician, gradually decreasing the dose of sleeping pills over several weeks rather than abruptly quitting. A supervised medical detox can help avoid unnecessary discomfort or life-threatening withdrawal complications.
Treatment for addiction to alcohol and sleeping pills typically consists of medical detox, rebound insomnia treatment, individual and group therapy, behavioural interventions, and relapse prevention skills training. Non-pharmacological treatment options for rebound insomnia include relaxation therapy, sleep hygiene education, cognitive behavioural therapy, stimulus control, and sleep restriction.
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Treatment for addiction to both is available
Mixing alcohol and sleeping pills can be dangerous, and even deadly. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, meaning it slows brain activity. Sleeping pills, whether over-the-counter or prescription, also have sedative effects. When taken together, the side effects of each are magnified, increasing the risk of a fatal sleeping pill overdose.
Treatment for addiction to both alcohol and sleeping pills is available and often consists of a combination of medical detox, rebound insomnia treatment, individual, group, and family therapy, relapse prevention skills training, and aftercare planning.
Medical detox typically involves a physician-supervised plan to gradually decrease the dose of sleeping pills over several weeks, minimising withdrawal symptoms and lowering the chance of relapse. Withdrawal from sleeping pills may include symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and tremors. Acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome can range from mild to dangerous and include symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, seizures, and delirium tremens. A supervised medical detox can help avoid unnecessary discomfort or life-threatening complications.
Behavioural interventions are also used to treat addiction to alcohol and sleeping pills, including cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and contingency management. Relaxation therapy, sleep hygiene education, stimulus control, and sleep restriction are also used to treat rebound insomnia, which commonly occurs when discontinuing the use of alcohol and sleeping pills.
Treatment for polysubstance addiction is available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Inpatient treatment takes place in a residential facility, where patients may have limited access to the outside world to minimise the chance of relapse. Outpatient treatment can take place in hospitals, counsellor's offices, community mental health clinics, or shared spaces within inpatient facilities. This level of care may be suitable for those who have already undergone more intensive inpatient treatment.
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Mixing them can cause parasomnia
Mixing sleeping pills and alcohol can have serious adverse effects and enhance the side effects of both substances. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, meaning it slows brain activity. Similarly, prescription sleeping pills like Ambien (zolpidem) and Lunesta are also CNS depressants, and both substances have sedating effects.
When mixed, the side effects of each can be magnified, leading to serious symptoms such as:
- Over-sedation
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Slowed heart rate
- Slowed or difficulty breathing
- Memory loss
- Sleepwalking
- Increased risk of overdose
These side effects can be life-threatening, and even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of these adverse effects. Mixing alcohol with sleeping pills can also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals engage in dangerous behaviours while mostly still asleep. People experiencing parasomnia may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk on the phone, or even drive, all without any recollection. Therefore, it is advised to never mix alcohol with sleeping pills, as the combination can have severe and potentially fatal consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe to take a sleeping tablet with alcohol. Both substances depress the body's central nervous system (CNS), which controls breathing and sleeping. Taken together, the depressive effect is compounded, increasing the risk of a fatal overdose.
The side effects of sleeping pills and alcohol are magnified when taken together. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of side effects like slowed or stopped breathing, a slowed heart rate, increased dizziness or drowsiness, and an increased risk of falls, vehicle accidents, and amnesia.
If you absolutely must mix the two substances, it is recommended to place at least six hours between your last drink of alcohol and your first dose of sleeping pills. This allows your body to process the alcohol before the sleeping pill takes effect.
If you are struggling with sleep, it is recommended to first try adjusting your sleep hygiene and habits before resorting to sleeping pills. This includes committing to a sleep schedule, optimising your sleep environment, reducing carbohydrates, avoiding large meals and drinks shortly before bedtime, and incorporating quiet time and physical exercise into your routine. If these adjustments do not help, consult a healthcare provider to discuss your options.
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