Zoloft and Alcohol: The Risk of Mixing These Two Substances

Many experts and professionals of medical have generally forbidden to consumption of alcohol while taking sertraline, also called Zoloft. Zoloft is a substance that belongs to the group of antidepressants, also collectively called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Even though people metabolize medication and alcohol dissimilarly but the interaction between both substances can be dangerous, hazardous, and even life-threatening. 

Why and How the Zoloft Works as an Antidepressant?

Sertraline is present in Zoloft. This medicine doesn’t only work for treating depression but can also be taken in by patients with Obsessive Compulsion Disorder (OCD), Past Traumatic Disorder, and Panic Disorder. Doctors and many pharmacists prescribe it for patients with Social Anxiety Disorder and various other phobias. As it is taken in, it starts to block the serotonin receptors of the brain, which can cause the effect of more serotonin molecules’ circulation in the body.

How Serotonin Works

It is a chemical that is produced by the nerve cell used for signaling between the nerve cells. Serotonin is a natural hormone that is also known as the “Feel Good” hormone. It basically stabilizes the mood of a person. It can be found in various parts of the human body. They usually reside in the digestive system, central nervous system, and platelets of blood. Once you have taken in Zoloft or any other substance made up of serotonin, you will generally feel more relaxed, your mood will change to good, and you will have better sleep and happy emotions.

Is it Safe to Drink Alcohol with Zoloft?

Many people think that the work of antidepressants and alcohol is the same, as both can allow people to stay happy and feel relaxed and tension free, and it would be harmless to consume both at the same time, but they are wrong. Doctors forbade to use of the two substances together. The reason behind this was that in 2014, people who used to consume both at the same time were observed to have become more outrageous, violent, impaired with memory, and impulsive. No one can clearly demonstrate what amount of alcohol would be safer to take in with Zoloft and other antidepressants. 

Zoloft with Alcohol: Various Effects

1. Syndrome of Serotonin

As mentioned earlier, Zoloft can actually increase the amount of the production of serotonin in the body and, most specifically, in the brain. The same is the work of alcohol; it can boost the number of serotonin in the brain. This means that their mixing can lead to excessive levels of serotonin in the brain. This excessiveness can cause Serotonin Syndrome. It is a life-threatening stage where the rapidly increasing serotonin can increase the heart beat rate, send the person to feel hallucinations, and can also become a means towards coma.

2. Suicidal Behavior and Thoughts

The basic reason behind taking antidepressants or alcohol is to stay away from tension and feel relaxed and enjoy life happily. Taking in both these substances (Zoloft and Alcohol) together can form a negative impact. The reason behind the consumption can get lost. Once you start mixing, you’ll gradually start to feel more suicidal and form the habits of a person who hates himself.

Zoloft’s side effect is that it can also form suicidal behaviors in people, so taking in alcohol alone can heighten the effect. The interaction of both substances can cause severe depression and anxiety. A person might start to think more suicidal and behave in a spontaneous manner. So, the effect of both these drugs can also form more chances or probabilities for a person to attempt suicide. 

3. Over Balance

Alcohol and Zoloft are both used as a depressant for the central nervous system. This means that they hold the ability to either stop, slow down or suppress the activities of the brain. When they are combined, they can form an overbalance. This mixing can be highly dangerous as it can have severe outcomes like slowness of breath, getting in comas, and ultimately leading to death. Both of these antidepressants can cause drowsiness, reduced levels of alertness, and impaired movements of the body. In combination, these effects can increase and can cause serious injuries and accidents.

4. Perniciousness

Taking in alcohol and antidepressants (Zoloft) can be very harmful. They can alter the functions of the brain and various other parts of the body. The brain is the head and gives the messages to the parts of the body, and those parts work accordingly. Once the functioning is taken away, the body might start to work abnormally, causing toxicity in the body with the failure of the system of the liver. All these effects occur when the person drinks too much alcohol or takes an extra dose of alcohol and also if someone is a binge or heavy drinker.

5. Side Effects

There are various side effects of consuming both Zoloft and Alcohol. The following table will demonstrate the side effects of both substances;

All these side effects show that when we take in either Zoloft or Alcohol, we face various problems. Upon mixing, we can increase or heighten these effects, which can be very fatal and dangerous for our health. For example, a person who is facing impairments after consuming alcohol if he adds Zoloft with alcohol, which might become a site for injuries and accidents. These injuries cannot always be minor. Some can be so dangerous that they can lead to sudden death.

Conclusion

Even the doctors aren’t aware of the actual amount of alcohol that can not be harmful when consumed with Zoloft. The amount of relaxation that one receives from taking in these substances can become a life-threatening intake when taken in mixed form. So, it is better not to take Zoloft with Alcohol. People should take advice from doctors before using or consuming any sort of drug or antidepressant.

Mark Simons

I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.