Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Trazodone? Here's What You Need to Know

The 3 a.m. Struggle

It's 3 a.m. again. You've tried everything—counting sheep, listening to podcasts, warm milk with honey, counting backward from 100—but nothing works. Night after night, you lie awake, only to wake up groggy and exhausted, facing another day with caffeine as your only ally.

Then your doctor suggests trazodone, and finally, you find relief. You can fall asleep and stay asleep. But then comes the weekend, and you plan to have drinks with friends. Can you take trazodone with alcohol? Or is this combination dangerous?

That evening, instead of relaxing, you anxiously search online for "trazodone and alcohol," stumbling upon alarming results like "trazodone and alcohol death." Suddenly, you're too scared to sleep at all.

Before you spiral into another sleepless night, let's explore the facts about trazodone and alcohol—without the fearmongering.

What Is Trazodone?

Originally approved in 1981, trazodone is an antidepressant that's now widely prescribed for insomnia. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain—a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, happiness, and well-being. Low serotonin is linked to depression, which is why many depression treatments target this pathway.

Trazodone belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). Like SSRIs, it prevents serotonin from being reabsorbed too quickly, but it also blocks certain receptors that can interfere with serotonin's effects.

A Versatile Medication

Though it began as an antidepressant, trazodone is now used for several conditions:

• Sleep disorders: It's one of the most commonly prescribed medications for insomnia.
• Anxiety: Often prescribed in lower doses to help manage anxiety.
• Chronic pain: Studies suggest it may help with fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain by improving sleep and modulating serotonin.

Potential Side Effects

Like all medications, trazodone can cause side effects. Most are mild, but some can be serious.

• Common: Drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision
• Rare: Irregular heartbeat, seizures, fainting, confusion, manic episodes (in people with bipolar disorder)

Serious side effects are uncommon, and doctors prescribe trazodone when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Understanding Serotonin Syndrome

Though rare, serotonin syndrome is a risk with any drug that affects serotonin levels—especially if you've taken MAO inhibitors recently. Symptoms range from mild (shivering, diarrhea, agitation) to severe (high fever, seizures, unconsciousness). Always inform your doctor of all medications you're taking to avoid this complication.

Mixing Trazodone and Alcohol: The Risks

Combining antidepressants and alcohol is generally not advised. Here's why trazodone and alcohol are a particularly risky pair:

• Enhanced sedation: Both depress the central nervous system, leading to extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or even respiratory distress.
• Worsened depression or anxiety: Alcohol can counteract trazodone's benefits, making symptoms worse.
• Increased side effects: Alcohol can raise trazodone levels in your blood, intensifying side effects.
• Risk of dependency: The combination may increase reliance on one or both substances.
• Overdose potential: Higher trazodone concentrations raise the risk of a life-threatening overdose.

How Much Alcohol Is Safe?

The safest answer is none. The line between "safe" and "dangerous" depends on factors like age, metabolism, and overall health, but the risks simply aren't worth it. At best, you might feel extremely sleepy or wake up with a severe hangover. At worst, the consequences could be serious.

Trazodone for Alcohol Withdrawal

While trazodone doesn't mix well with alcohol, it can be helpful during alcohol withdrawal. Insomnia is a common withdrawal symptom because alcohol disrupts neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate. When you stop drinking, your brain struggles to readjust, leading to agitation and sleeplessness.

Trazodone can ease this transition by acting as a sedative, helping you sleep while your body adapts. However, some studies suggest that while it helps initially, it may reduce long-term sobriety success rates.

Alcohol's Hidden Impact on Sleep

If you're taking trazodone for sleep, consider whether alcohol might be contributing to your sleep problems. Though it makes you drowsy initially, alcohol:

• Disrupts REM sleep, the most restorative phase
• Causes dehydration and frequent nighttime bathroom trips
• Alters overall sleep architecture, leaving you tired even after 8 hours

Staying Safe: Practical Tips

• Avoid mixing: Don't combine trazodone and alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns or need help avoiding this mix.
• Try alternatives: If you'll be drinking, consider non-medication sleep aids like good sleep hygiene, magnesium supplements, or herbal tea.
• Cut back on alcohol: If alcohol is affecting multiple areas of your life, explore the sober-curious movement or alcohol-free alternatives.

Final Thoughts

Alcohol doesn't mix well with many medications, and trazodone is no exception. Whether you're taking it for mood stabilization, sleep, or another reason, it's best to avoid alcohol. Quitemate is here to support your journey, offering science-backed guidance for cutting back or quitting alcohol if that's right for you. Take care of your mind and body—they deserve it.