What Actually Triggers Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms in Your Brain?
Understanding alcohol withdrawal means diving into the neurological storm that erupts when your brain struggles to recalibrate without alcohol.
July 24, 2025
Medically reviewed by Health Care Professional Robert Gerchalk, April 2025
Learn the Risks of Mixing Alcohol with Medications & Substances
Alcohol interacts negatively with a wide variety of other drugs—find help quitting here.
Dangerous Drug & Alcohol Combinations
Alcohol can interact negatively with a wide range of medications and other substances. It may increase their negative side effects, make them less effective, or lead to dangerous medical emergencies.
Disclaimer: The following list does not include every possible substance that can cause problems when mixed with alcohol. Call us to connect with resources that can help you learn more or talk to your family doctor if you are concerned about mixing alcohol with a drug or medication not listed here.
Used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures; dangerous when mixed with alcohol due to sedation and overdose risk.
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Klonopin (Clonazepam)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Valium (Diazepam)
- Xanax
Used to treat depression and anxiety; combining with alcohol can worsen side effects like drowsiness or mood instability.
- Antidepressants (general class)
- Zoloft (Sertraline – SSRI)
- Cymbalta (Duloxetine – SNRI)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin – atypical antidepressant)
- Trazodone (also used for sleep)
Used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or off-label for mood/sleep; mixing with alcohol can increase sedation and confusion.
- Seroquel (Quetiapine)
Used to reduce anxiety without the strong sedative effects of benzos—but can still mix poorly with alcohol.
- Buspar (Buspirone)
- Hydroxyzine (also an antihistamine, used for anxiety)
Used off-label for anxiety or alcohol withdrawal; can cause drowsiness and dizziness with alcohol.
Used to manage pain or opioid addiction; extremely risky with alcohol due to respiratory depression.
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine (component of Suboxone)
Used for allergies or sleep; alcohol enhances sedative effects.
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
- Hydroxyzine (also listed as an anxiolytic)
Used to treat high blood pressure or physical symptoms of anxiety; alcohol may interfere with blood pressure control.
Unpredictable and potentially dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many common drugs that do not require a prescription—like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and antihistamines—can interact with alcohol, increasing the risk of liver damage, drowsiness, or stomach bleeding.
Call your doctor or pharmacist right away, especially if you feel dizzy, confused, extremely drowsy, or unwell. If it’s an emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.
Mixing alcohol and marijuana can increase the effects of both, leading to stronger impairment, dizziness, nausea, or panic. It can also make it harder to judge how intoxicated you are, increasing the risk of accidents or overdose-like symptoms (sometimes called “greening out”). It’s generally safer to avoid using them together.
Yes. Even natural products like St. John’s Wort, kava, valerian root, and CBD can interact with alcohol—often by increasing sedation, dizziness, or liver strain. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe to mix with alcohol. Always check with a healthcare provider.
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Articles & Resources
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