Can You Drink Alcohol With a Chemical Imbalance?

If you have a chemical imbalance, the neurotransmitters are thought to be imbalanced in your brain. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that are responsible for the communication between different nerve cells. The nerve cells of the brain are also referred to as neurons, and they are in charge of our cognitive, behavioral and emotional well-being. When there is a breach in communication between neurotransmitters and neurons, your mood, your thoughts and your ability to function correctly will be affected. A chemical imbalance is the common culprit in major depression disorder, bi-polar disorder and dysthymic disorder. Drinking alcohol while suffering from any of these conditions or any other chemical imbalance, can exacerbate your condition.

Major Depression Disorder

• Major depression disorder is a condition directly related to a chemical imbalance. When you are depressed, the parts of your brain responsible for your mood are out of order for some reason, which causes a lack of communication between certain neurotransmitters and other brain cells. When you suffer from major depression, you are unable to function normally (i.e. work, sleep, eating). This disorder is considered a chronic illness and oftentimes it requires medication for treatment. Drinking alcohol while taking medication can cause adverse effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming alcohol while being treated for major depression disorder can worsen your depression symptoms.

Effects

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 26 percent of American who are over the age of 18 suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year.

Bi-Polar Disorder

• Bi-polar disorder is a chemical imbalance that directly affects your mood swings. One minute, you may feel like you can conquer anything; the next minute, you are down in the dumps. The ups are more commonly referred to as mania and the lows are just referred to as depression. Because mood stabilizers are often prescribed to treat bi-polar disorder, it is strongly suggested that you consult with your physician before mixing alcohol with this type of medications, according to the National Alliance on Mental illness.

Dysthymic Disorder

• Dysthymic disorder is also referred to as dysthmia. It is a type of depression that lasts for two years or longer. Even when dysthmia is treated, patients may still experience symptoms related to this condition (i.e. fatigue, loss of appetite, poor concentration). There are a few different kinds of medications used to treat dysthmia; however, the most common medications are: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, (SSRIs), and antidepressants. Both medications, SSRIs and antidepressants, work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating your mood. If you drink while on either of these medications, you may increase your serotonin to dangerous levels.

Warning

• A healthy lifestyle change is an integral part in treating a chemical imbalance, so refraining from alcohol consumption is one way to show you are serious about getting well. According to Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, consuming alcohol while you are dealing with a chemical imbalance, or being treated for a chemical imbalance, can cause you to feel even more depressed; you may also become more intoxicated than normal; the side effects of your medication could be increased; and you can even have a deadly reaction.