Alcohol and Medication: A Dangerous Mix
From a beer at a ballgame to a celebratory toast, alcohol’s prominent role in American culture can make it easy to forget how dangerous a drug it can be. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, excessive alcohol use was responsible for about 178,000 deaths in the US from 2020–2021, a nearly 30 percent increase from 2016–2017.
Social isolation, memory issues and mood disorders put the elderly at a high risk for alcohol abuse. The fact that this population also uses multiple prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication also puts them at high risk to an often hidden danger: mixing alcohol with medications.
The potential dangers of elderly patients mixing alcohol with their medications include increased sedation, drug interactions, worsening health conditions, cognitive impairment, increased risk of falls and injuries, liver damage, and medication non-adherence. It’s essential for family and homecare providers to educate elderly patients about these risks and advise them to avoid alcohol while taking medications unless specifically instructed otherwise.
Unique Risks of a Dangerous Mix
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, these three things can potentially occur when alcohol is mixed with medication:
- Mixing alcohol with medication can impact your ability to metabolize medication.
- The mixture can also potentially increase blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
- When medication is taken along with alcohol, it can either increase or decrease the potency of the medication in the body.
All of these possibilities can lead to the medication impacting your body or healing in a way that was not intended.
Short and Long-Term Effects
Some dangers of mixing medication with alcoholic beverages are immediate, while some build over time. According to the Alcohol Rehab Guide, potential short-term effects of drinking alcohol while on medication include:
- Changes in heart rate
- Challenges in controlling muscles
- Lowered inhibitions
- Impaired short-term memory
- Increased feelings of sadness, anxiety, or fear
- Issues concentrating or focusing
- Respiratory issues
Potential long-term effects of consuming alcohol while on medication could include:
- Damaged internal organs, muscles or bones
- Impaired long-term memory
- Inability to properly use coordination skills
- Lack of endurance in coping with responsibilities like work and school
- Poor appetite or inability to properly utilize nutrients
Just Say No
If you are caring for someone at home and you are worried that they may be drinking while taking medication, start by removing their access to alcohol. You can also set a good example by abstaining, or deciding not to drink while in their presence. Share another yummy beverage as a treat like a special juice or soda. And remember to keep both of you busy with activities to keep your mind off of alcohol.
Do you or someone you know currently offer care to a loved one at home? The experts at Mass Care Link can help you secure financial assistance. Contact Mass Care Link at 866-880-8889 or via info@masscarelink.org today to learn more.