Trazodone is a medication often used to treat depression. Meanwhile, alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed substances in the world, especially in social settings. Because both are common and legal, some may assume they’re safe to use together.

However, mixing trazodone and alcohol can have dangerous effects on your body, mood, and overall health. Understanding why this combination is risky can help you make safer choices and avoid serious side effects, including sedation, overdose, or alcohol poisoning.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• What trazodone is and how it works
• How alcohol affects the brain and body
• What can happen when you mix the two
• Whether other antidepressants can be mixed with trazodone
• How long to wait before drinking again
• Where to find support for substance use disorders

If you or someone you care about is mixing trazodone and alcohol or misusing another substance, Solutions Healthcare can offer support. Our team provides personalized care, safe detox options, and long-term treatment plans built around your goals. Contact us at any time to learn more about our program options or verify your insurance coverage.

What Is Trazodone?

Trazodone is a prescription antidepressant that’s part of a drug class called serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). It helps balance serotonin levels in the brain, which can relieve symptoms of depression..

It’s also commonly used to help with sleep, even though that’s not its main purpose (and the FDA doesn’t approve it for that use). At lower doses, trazodone can make you feel drowsy, which is why doctors sometimes recommend it for insomnia, especially in people who also have mood disorders.

While Trazodone is usually prescribed to treat depression, it may also be prescribed for:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Alcohol dependence
• Schizophrenia

Because trazodone affects brain chemistry, it needs to be taken exactly as prescribed. Taking too much or combining it with other substances can change how the drug works and put your health at risk.

Common side effects of trazodone include:

• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness or dizziness

When taken as directed under the supervision of a doctor, trazodone can be a helpful part of mental health treatment.

What Does Alcohol Do to the Body?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows brain activity, changes how your body processes information, and makes you less cautious. Consuming it can cause serious physical and mental changes, although the extent of these effects can vary depending on the individual.

Common side effects of alcohol use include:

• Poor coordination and balance
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Trouble sleeping or restless sleep
• Dehydration and hangover symptoms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slowed reaction time
• Mood swings or irritability
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Slurred speech or blurred vision
• Headaches
• Impaired judgment and decision-making

Over time and in larger amounts, alcohol can also lead to more serious complications, such as liver disease, heart problems, and a weakened immune system. When combined with medications like trazodone, these effects can become stronger and more dangerous, even if the alcohol is consumed in small amounts.

Can Trazodone and Alcohol Be Taken Together?

Alcohol and trazodone should not be taken together. While each substance affects the brain and body in different ways, both are depressants, meaning they slow essential functions in the central nervous system. This includes things like breathing, coordination, and alertness.

Mixing the two can intensify the sedative effects and cause your body to react unpredictably. Even just one drink may lead to serious impairment, especially if you’re new to the medication, have recently adjusted your dosage, or are taking other drugs that also affect the brain.

What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Trazodone?

Mixing trazodone and alcohol can create immediate and long-term effects that vary from person to person. Some people may feel dizzy or unlike themselves after a single drink, while others may experience nausea or emotional distress.

Some of the short-term effects of mixing trazodone and alcohol can include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• Trouble focusing or remembering things
• Extreme sleepiness or fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Trouble with coordination/balance
• Irritability, mood swings, or confusion
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Long-term risks include:

• Worsening depression or anxiety
• Higher likelihood of substance dependence
• Increased risk of falls or injury
• Poor quality of sleep
• Reduced effectiveness of trazodone
• Strain on the liver, especially if used regularly

Since trazodone already acts like a sedative on its own, adding alcohol to the mix can make its effects stronger and put you at greater risk for accidents, hospitalization, or even overdose.

Mixing trazodone with alcohol also raises the risk of alcohol poisoning, a dangerous and potentially deadly condition that occurs when you drink too much. Trazodone’s sedative effects can make it harder to notice early signs of poisoning, which include:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Pale or bluish-gray looking skin
• Low body temperature
• Slow or irregular breathing (less than eight breaths per minute)
• Unconsciousness that you can’t wake someone from

Trazodone may also mask how intoxicated someone feels, which can lead them to drink more than usual. This makes accidental poisoning more likely and much more dangerous.

Can You Overdose on Trazodone and Alcohol?

Overdose is a real risk when alcohol and trazodone are combined. Because both substances slow your body down, taking them together can overwhelm your system, leading to life-threatening complications.

Signs of a potential overdose include:

• An irregular heartbeat
• Slow or shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Vomiting or unresponsiveness
• Blue or gray skin tone (especially around the lips or fingers)

In severe cases, an overdose can lead to coma or death. If you think someone may be overdosing, even if you’re not 100% sure, call 911 immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and most states have Good Samaritan laws in place. These laws usually prevent both the caller and the person overdosing from being arrested or charged for drug possession or use.

Can Other Antidepressants Be Mixed With Alcohol?

Some other antidepressants may not cause as much drowsiness as trazodone, but it’s still unsafe to mix them with alcohol. Drinking alcohol can make the medication less effective, cause stronger side effects, and bring back depression symptoms that had disappeared.

How Long Should You Wait to Drink After Stopping Trazodone?

Trazodone typically takes about one to two days to clear from your system, but the effects on your brain can last longer, particularly if you’ve been taking it for a long time. Most healthcare providers recommend waiting at least two days before drinking again, but it’s best to check with your doctor for specifics.

If you’ve been taking trazodone to manage depression or anxiety, drinking too soon may bring those symptoms back or interfere with your recovery. In most cases, erring on the side of caution is the safest choice.

Need Help? Solutions Healthcare Is Here for You

Whether you’re struggling with depression, alcohol addiction, or the risks of combining medications, you’re not alone. At Solutions Healthcare, we offer personalized treatment plans, medical detox, and ongoing support to help you heal safely. Reach out today with any questions or concerns you might have, and let us help you take the first step toward recovery.