Seroquel is an antipsychotic, and sometimes an antidepressant, medication that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 1997. It is occasionally prescribed for off-label uses to manage psychotic symptoms associated with other conditions, but after several lawsuits, the manufacturer AstraZeneca stopped promoting this practice. The generic name for Seroquel is quetiapine.
Because Seroquel is a potent drug that adjusts levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, the FDA requires two black box warnings. You should not give Seroquel to an older adult with dementia because this can increase the risk of death, and the brain chemistry adjustments caused by Seroquel can, in the short term, increase the risk of suicide.
This medication interacts with several other drugs, both prescription and illicit. It is important to keep your doctor informed of all medications you take and how many recreational substances you consume. This includes legal recreational substances, particularly alcohol. While alcohol is a legal intoxicant to consume if you are 21 years old or older in the United States, it is a potent substance that changes how different drugs act in the body, which can become risky.
Alcohol May Be Legal, But it is Harmful
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that, as of 2015, 86.4 percent of people age 18 and older in the U.S. consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetimes; 56 percent reported they drank at least once in the past month. Binge drinking and heavy drinking are also prevalent forms of alcohol abuse in the U.S., which are associated with addiction to alcohol, but they can also occur without being addicted to this central nervous system (CNS) depressant.
- Binge drinking is when four to five servings of alcohol are consumed in one occasion that typically lasts about two hours. This leads to excessive intoxication, which increases the risk of accidents or memory loss.
- Heavy drinking involves regularly consuming alcohol rather than drinking all at once. It is defined by consuming seven servings of alcohol or more per week for women, or 14 or more servings for men, which is usually spread out over several days.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) may involve periods of binge drinking, along with heavy drinking, and drinking increasing amounts to achieve the original level of intoxication, cravings for alcohol, and withdrawal symptoms when sober.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that moderate drinking is the best approach, if you consume any alcohol at all. This is about one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men, with “sober days” during the week so that you are not drinking alcohol every day. The CDC is also clear that there is no such thing as safe drinking because any alcohol consumption increases the risk of brain chemistry changes, falls, memory loss, and organ damage; however, moderate drinking is the least harmful approach, and drinking beyond moderately can indicate a problem.
With medications like Seroquel, any alcohol consumption is harmful. You should quit drinking alcohol while you take Seroquel to be safe. Alcohol increases the incidence of psychotic symptoms, and it interacts poorly with Seroquel’s side effects.
Mixing Alcohol and Seroquel Worsens Side Effects and Mental Problems
It should be noted that the side effects of using Seroquel and alcohol together can produce side effects that might be exacerbated. You could experience:
- Head and body aches
- Mood changes
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Impaired concentration
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Appetite change
- Weight gain
- Indigestion
It is essential to know that in severe cases, the amplified effects may be very dangerous and potentially fatal. Drinking alcohol while on Seroquel can impair judgment leading to uncalculated risks, such as driving or other activities that require alertness and sharp motor skills.
If you drink alcohol while taking Seroquel, there are overlapping side effects that will worsen quickly. These include stumbling, memory loss, slurred speech, physical weakness, nausea, vomiting, stomach problems, and appetite changes.
Another side effect of Seroquel is weight gain, so people with blood sugar instability are at risk if they take this drug. Drinking alcohol can change blood sugar levels, and it can increase the risk of weight gain, too. Gaining too much weight increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
It is also harder for your body to moderate temperature and cool down while taking Seroquel. This can lead to heat exhaustion and even hyperthermia in certain situations, such as crowded parties or hot climates. Extreme exercise and extreme weather are risky while taking Seroquel. Drinking alcohol also increases your body temperature, dehydrates you, and can increase the risk of hyperthermia. Combining this prescription medication and alcohol means you can feel hot or feverish much of the time, and that you are at greater risk of suffering from hyperthermia.
Symptoms of Hyperthermia Include:
- Strong, rapid pulse
- Delirium and confusion
- Lack of sweating
- Flushed or red skin
- Dryness to the skin
- Faintness
- Staggering and falling
- Mood swings or combativeness
Someone who is suffering from heat stroke needs medical attention immediately, so call 911.
Psychotic Symptoms Can Be Due to Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol-related psychosis is a secondary condition in which psychotic symptoms appear as a result of long-term or high-volume alcohol abuse. Alcohol is a sedative, but it is also a neurotoxin, and with enough exposure to this harmful chemical, the brain can change. Altered brain chemistry can lead to problems like hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, memory trouble, and a break from reality.
There are signs that alcohol-induced psychosis is not schizophrenia, but these conditions can be difficult to differentiate during a psychotic episode that may lead to hospitalization. Typically, alcohol-induced psychosis has a later onset of psychotic symptoms; higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to other symptoms; fewer adverse, antisocial, or disorganized symptoms; and better insight and judgment.
Additionally, psychotic symptoms may be triggered if the person suddenly stops drinking. Applying medications like Seroquel during this time can be either helpful or harmful, depending on the presentation of the psychosis. This is very much up to a clinician. No one without prescribing power should ever give drugs to a person who has quit drinking, whether the person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms or not.
The symptoms from alcohol-induced psychosis tend to go away once alcohol metabolizes out of the body. Before then, however, it may be important not to give the person Seroquel to treat psychotic symptoms. Combining the two can be harmful.
Alcohol-related psychosis is a secondary condition in which psychotic symptoms appear as a result of long-term or high-volume alcohol abuse. Alcohol is a sedative, but it is also a neurotoxin, and with enough exposure to this harmful chemical, the brain can change. Altered brain chemistry can lead to problems like hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, memory trouble, and a break from reality.
There are signs that alcohol-induced psychosis is not schizophrenia, but these conditions can be difficult to differentiate during a psychotic episode that may lead to hospitalization. Typically, alcohol-induced psychosis has a later onset of psychotic symptoms; higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to other symptoms; fewer adverse, antisocial, or disorganized symptoms; and better insight and judgment.
Additionally, psychotic symptoms may be triggered if the person suddenly stops drinking. Applying medications like Seroquel during this time can be either helpful or harmful, depending on the presentation of the psychosis. This is very much up to a clinician. No one without prescribing power should ever give drugs to a person who has quit drinking, whether the person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms or not.
The symptoms from alcohol-induced psychosis tend to go away once alcohol metabolizes out of the body. Before then, however, it may be important not to give the person Seroquel to treat psychotic symptoms. Combining the two can be harmful.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)
People who drink alcohol excessively or binge drink regularly should be careful when ending alcohol use. A condition known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is possible. According to Healthline, AWS is the name given for a group of symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or significantly cuts back on their alcohol intake.
AWS produces symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms can appear within six hours of the last drink to a few days after. Two symptoms are generally required before AWS is known.
AWS Symptoms and Signs
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Sweating
- Tremors
It is possible that some of the symptoms could worsen over two to three days. The most severe symptom is delirium tremens (DTs). DTs is a serious medical issue that requires emergency treatment. Here is what you could possibly experience:
- Extreme agitation
- Extreme confusion
- Fever
- Seizures
Hallucinations, tactile (feeling a sense of burning, itching, or numbness), auditory (hearing sounds that don’t exist), or visual (seeing things that are not there)
Heavy amounts of alcohol excite and irritate the central nervous system. Over time, your body becomes dependent on alcohol when you drink heavily. When you stop drinking suddenly or severely cut back on alcohol intake, your central nervous system can’t adapt easily to the lack of alcohol. This is what causes AWS.
How to Stop Drinking Safely and Get Help
Arete Recovery offers experienced and caring substance use treatment, along with programs designed to treat co-occurring disorders. Many people struggle with mental health problems and may self-medicate with alcohol. The more common mental health illnesses that we treat are:
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seroquel is prescribed to treat several of the above mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
When you combine alcohol abuse and a mental health disorder, you are likely to be diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, sometimes called dual diagnosis. In fact, there is a strong connection between these two, as indicated in this article.
The caring and dedicated medical and substance use disorder professionals at Arete Recovery are experienced in treating co-occurring disorders. They will address your alcohol use disorder first and help you through the detox and withdrawal stages safely. A treatment plan will be implemented with your input that may include inpatient treatment and complementary therapies to start you on your path to recovery.
One of the essential aspects of substance use recovery is learning how to prevent relapse. We know it can be a significant challenge to overcome cravings for alcohol and know how to avoid triggers effectively. Relapse prevention skills taught in recovery allow you to practice and use every day of your life. Most important, you will never be alone as you forge a new sober path.
Seroquel and alcohol use combined is dangerous and should be avoided. If you struggle to stop drinking heavily, there is help. You just need to reach out.
End Alcohol Abuse Before Taking Seroquel
If you struggle with drinking too much alcohol, and you are prescribed Seroquel, it is important to work with your clinician to overcome alcohol abuse first. Then, begin your prescription when you have safely detoxed. This means you may need to find a rehabilitation program that allows you to bring in prescription medications to help you while you are undergoing counseling. You may also need to find a program that specializes in co-occurring disorders, especially when treating psychotic conditions alongside substance abuse.
