Seroquel and Alcohol: The Risks of Mixing

Medications like Seroquel (quetiapine) are designed to help manage serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a substance many use socially or to relax.                                                         

Both alcohol and Seroquel affect the CNS (central nervous system) and using them together can increase the risk of severe side effects like drowsiness, impaired coordination, and potentially life-threatening complications. This page explores the dangers of combining Seroquel with alcohol and shows you how to connect with effective treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. 

What Is Seroquel?

Seroquel, also known by its generic name quetiapine, is a medication classified as an atypical antipsychotic [1]. Doctors commonly prescribe it to treat mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder [2]. The medication may also be used off-label to manage anxiety or insomnia. 

Seroquel affects the brain’s neurotransmitters—chemical messengers that regulate mood, behavior, and mental health. It primarily blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors, which helps stabilize mood swings, reduce hallucinations, and ease severe emotional distress. 

While Seroquel can be highly effective, it’s a powerful medication associated with a range of side effects that include: 

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain
• Changes in blood pressure 

Doctors often warn individuals about combining Seroquel with other substances like alcohol due to its sedating properties. Mixing CNS depressants and atypical antipsychotics can heighten the effects of both substances and provoke severe complications. 

Drinking on Seroquel: Understanding the Interaction

When alcohol and Seroquel are consumed together, they interact in ways that can be physically and psychologically damaging. Both substances are CNS depressants, meaning they slow down brain and nerve activity. 

Alcohol can interfere with the way Seroquel is processed in your body. Specifically, it can slow down how your liver metabolizes the medication, potentially leading to higher concentrations of Seroquel in your bloodstream. This increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.

Beyond this, drinking alcohol while taking Seroquel can reduce the medication’s effectiveness. Seroquel is prescribed to manage symptoms of mental health conditions, but alcohol can worsen issues like anxiety, depression, and mood instability. This can make it harder for Seroquel to do its job, exposing individuals to a heightened risk of mental health setbacks. 

Alcohol may impair judgment and decision-making. When combined with Seroquel’s sedative effects, this can increase the likelihood of accidents, injuries, or risky behaviors. 

Effects of Seroquel and Alcohol

Combining Seroquel and alcohol creates a dangerous mix that can affect your body and mind in several harmful ways. Both substances influence the central nervous system, and their interaction intensifies negative side effects, increasing risks that may not occur with either substance alone. 

Sedative Effects

Both alcohol and Seroquel cause sedation, which is why combining them can amplify feelings of drowsiness and fatigue. This excessive sedation can make everyday activities like driving, cooking, or even walking unsafe. It may also leave you feeling unusually tired or sluggish for prolonged periods. 

The heightened sedative effects can also impair cognitive function. Tasks that require focus, problem-solving, or quick reflexes become more challenging. This makes it especially dangerous to mix alcohol and Seroquel if you need to operate machinery, commute, or make important decisions. 

Metabolic Interference

Alcohol changes how your body processes medications [3]. When taken with Seroquel, alcohol can strain the liver, the organ responsible for breaking down both substances. This can lead to higher levels of Seroquel in your system than intended, raising the risk of side effects like dizziness, nausea, and confusion.

In severe cases, the liver’s overwork can lead to damage, especially in people who already have liver conditions or consume alcohol regularly. Long-term use of Seroquel and alcohol together can also increase the risk of weight gain, blood sugar imbalances, and metabolic syndrome.

Orthostatic Hypotension and Increased Impairment

One of Seroquel’s potential side effects is orthostatic hypotension—a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up [4]. This can cause dizziness or fainting. Alcohol also lowers blood pressure, so combining the two can dramatically increase the risk of falls, injuries, or fainting episodes. 

The combined effects of alcohol and Seroquel can also impair coordination and motor skills. This can lead to accidents and injuries, particularly when walking, climbing stairs, or engaging in other physical activities.

Seroquel and Alcohol Death

Although rare, the combination of Seroquel and alcohol can provoke fatal outcomes. Both substances suppress the CNS, resulting in slowed breathing or respiratory failure in extreme cases. Individuals with pre-existing conditions like heart or breathing issues are at greater risk. 

Additionally, excessive use of either substance—especially in episodes of binge drinking—can overwhelm the body’s ability to cope. Avoid alcohol when taking antipsychotics like Seroquel, as the consequences can be life-threatening. 

Alcohol and Other Atypical Antipsychotics

Mixing alcohol with medications is always risky, but the dangers can be more significant when it comes to atypical antipsychotics. These medications work by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain to help regulate mood, behavior, and thought patterns. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant that disrupts brain activity. The combination of these substances can intensify sedation, impair cognitive function, and inflame mental health symptoms. 

Can You Drink on Abilify?

Abilify, a branded formulation of aripiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic medication prescribed to treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It works differently from other medications in its class by stabilizing dopamine activity in the brain, helping improve mood, focus, and emotional stability [5].

Risks of Mixing Abilify and Alcohol

Doctors strongly advise against drinking on Abilify. Both substances impact the CNS, and their combination can cause: 

• Excessive drowsiness: Alcohol enhances the sedative effects of Abilify, leading to extreme tiredness or difficulty staying awake.
• Impaired coordination and judgment: Driving or operating machinery becomes especially dangerous when under the influence of Abilify and alcohol.
• Increased risk of dehydration: Abilify can trigger side effects like dizziness or lightheadedness, which are worsened by alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
• Reduced medication effectiveness: Alcohol can interfere with how Abilify helps regulate mood and mental health symptoms, potentially making treatment less effective.

Long-Term Concerns

Long-term use of Abilify combined with alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage and metabolic changes, including weight gain and high blood sugar levels. Additionally, the combination may worsen mental health symptoms like anxiety or depression over time.

To stay safe, avoid alcohol entirely when taking Abilify. If you’re unsure whether occasional drinking is safe, consult your healthcare provider for guidance. 

Quetiapine and Alcohol

Quetiapine—the generic name for Seroquel—is one of the most prescribed atypical antipsychotics. It helps manage schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder by calming overactive dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain. Like all medications in this class, quetiapine can interact adversely with alcohol.

Why Is Mixing Quetiapine and Alcohol Dangerous?

Quetiapine and alcohol both have sedating effects on the body, which makes their combination particularly risky. When used together, they can amplify each other’s effects, leading to: 

• Severe drowsiness and fatigue: Quetiapine already causes tiredness as a side effect. Adding alcohol can leave you feeling overwhelmingly sedated, potentially impairing daily activities.
• Increased risk of falls and accidents: Both substances lower blood pressure and impair coordination, making injuries more likely.
• Potential for overdose: Alcohol slows the liver’s ability to process quetiapine, leading to higher levels of the medication in the bloodstream. This increases the risk of dangerous side effects like fainting, confusion, or irregular heart rhythms.
• Worsening mental health symptoms: Quetiapine is often prescribed to manage mood swings or reduce anxiety, but alcohol can worsen these symptoms. For individuals managing conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, mixing alcohol with quetiapine may trigger mood instability, irritability, or emotional distress. 

To ensure safety and medication effectiveness, avoid alcohol while taking quetiapine.

Aripiprazole and Alcohol

Aripiprazole, another atypical antipsychotic, is unique in its ability to stabilize dopamine activity rather than blocking it completely [6]. While it is considered less sedating than medications like quetiapine, mixing aripiprazole with alcohol is still highly discouraged. The interaction between these substances can provoke concerning effects, such as: 

• Heightened sedation: While aripiprazole is less sedating on its own, alcohol’s depressant properties can magnify this effect, causing extreme drowsiness.
• Cognitive impairments: Alcohol and aripiprazole together can reduce mental clarity, making it harder to concentrate or make decisions.
• Mood instability: Aripiprazole helps regulate mood in people with bipolar disorder or depression, but alcohol can destabilize emotions, potentially leading to irritability or anxiety.
• Risk of overdose: Drinking alcohol while on aripiprazole can overwhelm the liver, slowing the medication’s breakdown and leading to excessive drug levels in the body.
• Release mechanism disrupted: Aripiprazole is often prescribed in extended-release forms, meaning its effects last longer in the body. When alcohol is introduced, it can disrupt how the medication is released and processed, increasing the risk of severe side effects.

To avoid these risks, people taking aripiprazole should steer clear of alcohol altogether. If you have questions about drinking while on this medication, consult your doctor for personalized advice. 

About Stopping Antipsychotics

Stopping antipsychotic medications like Seroquel is a decision that requires careful planning and guidance from a healthcare provider. These medications play a central role in managing mental health conditions, but they must be stopped correctly to avoid withdrawal symptoms, relapse, or worsening mental health issues. 

Antipsychotics alter brain chemistry by balancing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. When you stop taking them abruptly, your brain may struggle to readjust, leading to serious side effects. Medical supervision can streamline this process. Here are some factors to consider upon discontinuation: 

• Stabilization of symptoms: One of the core goals of antipsychotic medication is to stabilize symptoms of mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depressive disorder. If you and your doctor determine that your symptoms have been under control for a prolonged period, they may explore the possibility of reducing or stopping your medication.
• Side effects: Long-term use of antipsychotics can provoke side effects like weight gain, metabolic changes, or movement disorders. If side effects interfere with your quality of life, your doctor might consider adjusting your treatment plan.
• Alternative treatments: Therapy or alternative medications may become an option for some people. If your doctor believes these approaches can manage your condition effectively, they may guide you in tapering off antipsychotics.
• Medical supervision: Stopping antipsychotics without medical advice is dangerous. Abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, agitation, nausea, and a return of the symptoms the medication was treating. Tapering off gradually under a doctor’s care reduces these risks and gives your brain time to adjust. 

How Long After Stopping Can You Drink Again

If you’ve stopped taking antipsychotic medications like Seroquel, you might wonder when it’s safe to consume alcohol again. The answer depends on how long the medication remains in your system and how your body adjusts after quitting. 

• Clearance time of antipsychotics: Antipsychotics have varying half-lives, which is the time it takes for the drug to reduce by half in your body. Seroquel, for instance, has a half-life of 6 to 7 hours, but it can take several days to clear fully from your system. The process takes longer for extended-release formulations. Even after the drug leaves your system, your brain chemistry may still be adjusting, so wait before reintroducing alcohol.
• Recommendations from your doctor: Your doctor will provide guidance based on your unique situation. They might recommend waiting several weeks or months after stopping antipsychotics before drinking alcohol. This allows your body and brain to stabilize, reducing the risk of negative interactions or mental health setbacks.
• Risks of drinking too soon: Even after stopping antipsychotics, drinking alcohol can still be harmful. Your brain may be more sensitive during the adjustment period, and alcohol could worsen symptoms like depression, anxiety, or mood instability. 

If you resume drinking, do so in moderation. Excessive alcohol use can interfere with mental health and overall well-being, even if you’re no longer taking antipsychotics.

When you resume drinking, it’s important to do so in moderation. Excessive alcohol use can still interfere with mental health and overall well-being, even if you’re no longer taking antipsychotics. 

Get Insurance-Covered, Compassionate Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

If you need help for yourself or a loved one battling substance abuse, reach out to Renaissance Recovery. We treat all addictions and mental health disorders at our luxury rehabs in California and Florida.

When you choose an outpatient treatment program at Renaissance, you can live at home and continue at work or school while getting structured addiction treatment during weekday therapy sessions. 

All treatment plans at Renaissance are personalized to reflect the unique nature of all addictions. Therapies may include:

• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Counseling
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Family therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Group therapy
• Aftercare planning

When you’re ready to address addiction to alcohol or Seroquel, call 866-330-9449. 

Sources 

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12973385/

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2646647

[3] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-medication-interactions-potentially-dangerous-mixes 

[4] https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/mental-health-medications/types-of-medication/quetiapine-seroquel/ 

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5725548/ 

[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/aripiprazole