When you’re experiencing the symptoms of a psychiatric condition, it can be challenging to carry on with your daily activities. Your relationships may suffer, as well as your work opportunities, personal finances, and well-being. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment when you are feeling mentally unwell.
With the help of a medical professional, you can begin feeling better. However, once you’ve received a treatment plan, it’s helpful to know what activities could be harmful to you, such as drinking alcohol while taking Abilify.
Abilify, also known by its generic name of aripiprazole, is a common antipsychotic medication that can help with various mental health conditions. Drinking while taking Abilify can make the medication less effective, putting you at a higher risk of side effects.
Here’s everything you need to know about mixing alcohol and Abilify.
Mixing Abilify with alcohol is unsafe – Both substances affect the central nervous system and can amplify sedative effects like drowsiness, impaired judgment, and slowed breathing, increasing the risk of serious harm.
Abilify is prescribed for several mental health conditions – It’s commonly used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, improving mood and behavior.
Co-occurring disorders require integrated care – People with both a mental health condition and an alcohol use disorder benefit from dual diagnosis treatment, and Abilify may help reduce alcohol cravings in some individuals.
Alcohol and Abilify both take effect within your brain. For this reason, it’s essential to consider the effects of mixing alcohol and Abilify because they can amplify each other if taken together. Alcohol is a depressant, and taking Abilify with alcohol can increase the depressant effects of alcohol, which may jeopardize your judgment, control over your actions and physical body, and even breathing.
Abilify, on its own, carries the side effects of drowsiness and sedation, which also occur when drinking alcohol. For this reason, medical professionals do not advise mixing alcohol and Abilify. Using the two together could put you in a potentially dangerous situation. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to ask your medical provider about your ability to mix Abilify and alcohol.
It’s not a good idea to mix alcohol with Abilify, but if you feel like you cannot stop drinking, you may have an alcohol use disorder. If you find yourself in this situation, it can be scary. However, it’s crucial to be honest with yourself and transparent with your medical provider about your drinking patterns to stay safe.
If you have a mental health condition, such as depression, and think drinking is also a problem, you’re not alone. Millions of people in America suffer from both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder, a scenario known as having co-occurring conditions. A study suggests alcohol use disorders and depression may be closely linked because heavy drinkers are more likely to struggle with depression.
Taking Abilify and drinking alcohol at the same time can cause harm. However, Abilify may be an effective medication to help people stop drinking alcohol. A study shows that taking Abilify can help people with an alcohol use disorder better control their impulses. If you are struggling with a mental health condition and an alcohol use disorder simultaneously, you may want to talk to your mental health provider about the possibility of using Abilify to help you treat both conditions.
It can be challenging to manage a mental health condition and substance abuse condition. At the Indiana Center for Recovery, we understand the nuances of addressing a mental health condition and a substance use disorder, including investigating how one condition may have led to, or masked, the other.
Our Dual Diagnosis program helps our patients recover from co-occurring conditions within a comprehensive treatment framework. Our facility represents Indiana’s only full continuum of care, and we work with a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselors, and an exceptional nursing staff to create each individualized treatment plan.
If you have been looking for a way forward and are interested in learning more about how we support people in their recovery journeys and pathways to better mental stability, connect with us today.
Navigating the journey to recovery can bring up many questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our services. If you need more information or have additional questions, we are only a phone call away.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Abilify?
No, it is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Abilify.
Both Abilify and alcohol act on the central nervous system and can intensify each other’s side effects, such as drowsiness, impaired coordination, poor judgment, and slowed breathing. This combination can put you at risk for dangerous or even life-threatening situations. Always consult your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol with any prescription medication.
What mental health conditions is Abilify used to treat?
Abilify is commonly prescribed for depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
It is an atypical antipsychotic that works by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to stabilize mood, improve thinking, and reduce symptoms such as delusions or extreme mood swings. Abilify may be prescribed alone or in combination with other treatments, including oral tablets or injections.
Can Abilify help with alcohol use disorder?
Yes, Abilify may help some individuals reduce alcohol cravings and impulsive behavior.
Studies suggest that Abilify can be beneficial for people with co-occurring conditions—those who struggle with both a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with both, speak with a mental health professional about treatment options, including whether Abilify may be appropriate.
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