Steroids and Alcohol: What Happens When You Mix the Two?

Can you drink alcohol while taking steroids? No, Doctors recommend limiting alcohol consumption while on steroid treatment. Steroids can react with beverages like alcohol and cause unpleasant effects. 

Corticosteroids such as prednisone are used to treat a wide variety of health disorders. They work by suppressing the immune system and reducing flare-ups caused by inflammation. Read on to find out why it is not recommended to drink on steroids and how you can limit alcohol consumption while on steroid treatment.

ChoicePoint offers online alcohol addiction evaluation and personalized alcohol addiction treatment plans in New Jersey locations and worldwide via telehealth services. Call 844.445.2565 to schedule an appointment today!

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What Are Steroids?

Steroids are man-made chemicals made to replace human hormones called corticosteroids. They are commonly employed in medicine to reduce inflammation and swelling. These are taken to treat conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Hay fever
• Eczema
• Painful joints and muscles
• Crohn’s disease
• Arthritis 

Why Do People Combine Alcohol and Steroids?

People may mix alcohol with steroids unintentionally or because they do not fully understand the risks. Here are some common reasons:

Belief That It is Safe

Many assume that since alcohol is not explicitly listed as a “do not take” substance on steroid labels, it’s okay to drink. In truth, there is little public education around the dangers of combining the two.

Coping with Side Effects

Some use alcohol to ease the emotional side effects of steroid use, anxiety, restlessness, or insomnia. But this often backfires, making mental health worse.

Lack of Awareness

Most people aren’t fully aware of how alcohol affects the body while on steroids, especially in the liver, brain, and heart.

Substance Dependence

In some cases, people become addicted to one or both substances. This dual dependency requires comprehensive care.

Get Alcohol Out of Your System Fast

Can You ​Drink on Steroids? How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

Drinking alcohol while on steroid therapy is not recommended. The main role of steroidal drugs is to suppress your immune system. When you drink substances like alcohol, you intensify the weakening effect and eventually may end up with a “non-functional” immune system. A poor immune system exposes you to numerous health conditions, which is why doctors advise you to quit alcohol during steroid treatment. 

Regardless, if you find yourself struggling to take a break from drinking, it could be a sign of alcohol dependence. It may be time to consider alcohol therapy to overcome this dependency.

Why Can’t You Drink Alcohol with Steroids? 6 Common Steroids and Alcohol Side Effects

Not only can alcohol worsen the individual side effects of alcohol, but combining them may also put you at risk of developing additional health problems. This is more likely if you are taking higher doses of steroids for a long time.

1. Gastrointestinal Bleeding 

Both alcohol and steroids are known to irritate the stomach lining, which causes ulcers. Combining them raises the risk of perforating the ulcer, which leads to internal bleeding. 

2. Bone Weakness 

Bone loss is a well-known side effect of corticosteroids. Adding alcohol on top can lower bone mineral density further, which in turn can lead to the development of osteoporosis and bone fractures. 

3. Increased Risk of Diabetes

One of the side effects of Prednisone and dexamethasone is disruption of blood sugar levels. They cause a rise in sugar by making body cells less responsive to the sugar. Eventually, this sugar level exceeds the threshold for diabetes.  

4. Increased Infections

Someone who takes steroids takes a longer time to recover from infections due to a weakened immune response. Chronic alcohol abuse combined with steroids makes you more susceptible to catching diseases.

5. Weight Gain

Several studies suggest that taking alcohol and steroids together expedites weight gain.  

6. Liver Injury

Alcohol consumption leads to inflammation in the liver, which leads to scarring and cell damage. Anabolic steroids can exacerbate the damage, increasing it.

Expert Recommended Reads

 Can You Drink on Prednisone? 

3 Ways To Get Alcohol Out of Your System

How Long After Taking Steroids Can You Drink Alcohol?

After finishing your prescribed course of steroids, you should consider waiting at least a week before consuming your first drink. 

That said, the exact timing may not be the same for everyone. Depending on how long you took the medication and the dosage that you were prescribed, you may require more time before you can start drinking again. 

Can You Drink Alcohol While Using Topical Steroids/Steroid Shots?

Steroids have multiple routes of administration. Most popular ones include oral, injectable, and topical routes. You may be able to drink alcohol after applying topical steroids and injectable steroids like hydrocortisone. As of now, there are no known interactions between these treatments and alcohol. However, it is still advised to consult a GP before making a decision.

Mixing oral steroids and alcohol may warrant a number of side effects. If you are suffering from binge drinking or are unaware of AUD, quickly get the online alcohol assessment and start your treatment right away by calling us at 844.445.2565.

CALL NOW FOR FREE SCREENING

Mixing Alcohol with Steroids Can be a Sign of Substance Dependence

Mixing alcohol with steroids can be a dangerous behavior and may signal a deeper issue with substance use. Some people might do this occasionally without realizing the risks. Regularly combining the two substances, despite knowing the harmful effects, can indicate a pattern of addiction. This behavior may reflect a growing dependency, poor impulse control, or an attempt to enhance certain effects, all of which point toward possible substance misuse. If you or someone you know is engaging in this habit, it may be time to seek professional help.

Treatment for Alcoholism and Polysubstance Abuse- We Can Help You!

ChoicePoint offers a comprehensive alcohol treatment program and dual diagnosis treatment that can help you achieve full recovery. We offer various services for health issues related to substance use disorder (SUD). These include:-

• Telehealth Addiction Treatment Program
• Medication-Assisted Addiction Treatment Program
• Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment Program
• Outpatient Addiction Treatment Program
• Inpatient Addiction Treatment Program
• Partial Care Program
• Aftercare Program

Furthermore, we are in-network with major insurance providers to make healthcare accessible. You can verify online or by giving us a call at 844.445.2565. 

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Steroids for Inflammation?- Commonly Asked FAQs

Our clients also ask us these questions related to combining alcohol and steroids. 

1. Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Testosterone Injections?

Most doctors recommend limiting alcohol during testosterone replacement therapy. Continuing to drink can undermine the effectiveness of the treatment, potentially reducing blood levels of alcohol.

2. Are There Any Corticosteroids That Aren’t Affected by Alcohol?

It is generally advisable to stay clear of alcohol on steroid therapy. Although topical and injectable steroids have not been proven to elicit a reaction.

3. What is Considered a High Dose of Steroids?

Generally, a dose above 40 mg per day may be considered a high dose of steroids. It is not advisable to drink alcohol at this dosage. However, it’s important to note that people respond differently to the drug, and “high dosages” may vary depending on the person.

Sources 

1. Kenan, S., & Mechanick, J. I. (2003). Steroid-induced skeletal complications. In Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. 6th edition. BC Decker.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK12555/