KLONOPIN AND DRINKING

ryleigh

Hello, this is Kitt.  There have been many posts re drinking and drugs. Benzos and alcohol do not mix.  I hold the line on this one myself and I advise others to do the same.

You found out on your own they are not a good mix.  Alcohol can increase the effects of the benzos and you can easily be into an overdose situation.

Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Klonopin (clonazepam) . Alcohol may also increase the risk of having a seizure. You will find some info that says Use alcohol cautiously. Just what is cautiously to each person and each person takes a different dose of this drug and drinks in different amounts............so to be safe, don't drink.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Take care and keep posting.

 

What seems to happen in most cases is that both alcohol and benzos are CNS depressants, and work together to knock somebody out. I've found that when I have tried to drink (in extreme moderation), it's as if I were taking the alcohol through an IV, it hits so quickly. However, at that point I'd already taken my dose. I've experienced this phenomenon once and the next phenomenon more than once:

What also happens -- and you don't hear about this much but it's what happened to you -- is that the two combine and a paradoxical reaction occurs...MORE anxiety and MORE panic rather than a depressive effect. For me, personally, I think elevated anxiety occurs because the alcohol hits me so hard and so abruptly it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. It simply freaks me out.

Either type of reaction can be a bad thing, obviously. The the first one I mentioned can kill, and the second one certainly isn't pleasant, either. I do know of people who use benzodiazepines and drink in small amounts, but some people can just get away with it while others can't. I think it's safe to assume that most people can't, and would have to advise people who are just starting benzo treatment NOT to even try to drink.

St. Kitt's background is that of an ER Nurse, and I bet she could tell us some gruesome stories about what happens when people mix benzos and alcohol. Apparently the patient is injected with some drug that is extremely stimulating, and they often have to be restrained. That's what I've heard, anyway. Is it true? If so I sure wouldn't want to put myself in that position.

D

I also vehemetly agree NOT drinking while on benzo's or Antidepressants......even opiates (pain meds I am on)

D is right depending on person metabolism at that particular time serious consequenses can occur .....

** I would think that being the low dose you are on may be the reason for waking and length of time on the Klonies .......maybe you should talk to your doc about the troubles you are having staying asleep
Do you take the Klonies during the day as well for a/p ??

I take a rare valium or ativan now IF needed during the day BUT at night I sleep like a babe if I take my hot milk with cinnamon and trazadone ..........For me this med has made a huge difference in my sleeping habits .......valium or ativan do not make me tired just calm me .........

** great to see you posting more**

LYN

I used to do that all of the time. I liked how it would make it so you get drunker without having to drink very much. I would say that I have mixed the two a good hundred times and had a good hundred blackouts. I ended up in the drunk tank three times as well as doing other things that were against good judgement. It is inevitable that you will blackout or pass out at some point. You may not get violent but it will make one so out of their head that you never really know what will happen. I quit doing that as I have given up on drinking (just wasn't working). I will suggest that no one tries it. Read my signature...lol.

This is my first post on this board. I am Joseph. I am twenty-six and live in Northern California. I have bipolar disorder and social anxiety.

Have a good day all!