Problems With Taking Alcohol And Ibuprofen

Mixing many drugs with alcohol can be dangerous. Ibuprofen is no exception. Although ibuprofen is available over the counter as Midol, Advil, and other painkillers, it’s still dangerous to mix with alcohol. Some of the dangers of mixing alcohol and ibuprofen can even be life threatening.

Why You Shouldn’t Mix Alcohol And Ibuprofen

Alcohol interacts with drugs in two different ways. Either the effects of the drugs lessen when taken with alcohol, or the negative side effects of the drug intensify after alcohol consumption.

Alcohol typically enhances the negative side effects of ibuprofen. People who take ibuprofen and then consume alcohol are more likely to have problems with gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and alertness. Long-term ibuprofen users could also have issues with high blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, heart attacks, and strokes. Long-term drinking problems and ibuprofen consumption can intensify any of these issues and cause major health issues.

How To Avoid Complications With Alcohol And Ibuprofen

The easiest way to avoid complications with ibuprofen and alcohol is not to take them together. If someone abuses either substance, though, mixing ibuprofen with alcohol might sound like the only solution.

Ibuprofen can be abused by people who don’t take the medication as directed. In those cases, they may feel the directed dosage isn’t strong enough to handle their pain. Since ibuprofen isn’t considered addictive, addiction treatment centers likely won’t help people who abuse ibuprofen alone. Seeing a doctor about the intense pain and possible solutions may be the best solution in that case.

Alcohol abuse, on the other hand, is a lot more difficult to handle. Unlike ibuprofen, alcohol is addictive. People who try to stop abusing alcohol can experience alcohol withdrawal, which can intensify pain and lead back to drinking. In order to break the cycle of alcohol abuse, users need to seek outside help.

Who To Reach Out To When Alcohol And Ibuprofen Use Becomes the Norm

Addiction treatment centers are built to help people recover from substance addiction. They help patients identify and confront what led to their substance abuse and addiction. This can include medical problems or even mental health issues, which can cause physical discomfort and pain.

If you or a loved one has started taking ibuprofen and alcohol together regularly despite the health concerns, it’s time to seek help. An addiction treatment center that offers dual diagnosis treatment may benefit you the most. A dual diagnosis program is designed to help patients that are struggling with substance abuse and some other issues such as chronic pain or mental health issues. Facilities that offer dual diagnosis programs are more likely to have doctors available to help with the pain you’re trying to subdue with your ibuprofen use or abuse.

Don’t let your ibuprofen or alcohol abuse continue. Reach out for the help you need. Call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 to talk with someone about your treatment options.