Having a drink while taking meds for alcohol use disorder can feel scary. Yet you can deal with it. Your next move turns on the specific drug. It also hinges on the amount you consumed. When you drank is a factor. Any other substances or signs you feel matter, too.
If you have severe symptoms, call 911. Or go to the nearest emergency room now. For any other case, dial Poison Help. Your prescriber or pharmacist is another good choice. They will give advice that fits your exact situation. Do not stop or switch your meds by yourself.
We run a U.S. treatment directory, not a treatment provider. What you read here is general info, not medical advice. Read more about medications for alcohol use disorder.
What to Do After Relapse on Alcohol Medication
Drinking while on alcohol medication can feel frightening. If you have any danger signs below, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now; otherwise, contact a professional who knows your specific situation.
911
Call immediately for an emergency
988
Call or text for suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis. For thoughts of suicide or self-harm, immediate danger, or an attempt in progress, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
- Get to a safe place. Do not drive. If possible, ask a sober friend or family member to stay nearby with you.
- Check for danger signs. Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, a high fever, or a racing heart during withdrawal can be signs of a serious emergency.[1] If you have any of these signs, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
- Contact a professional. If you do not have any of those danger signs, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, your prescriber, or a pharmacist for individualized advice.
- Follow professional guidance. Do not stop, skip, double, or change your medication based on a guess or general online rules. Only change your dose if a qualified professional tells you to.
Wanting to change your dose after drinking is common, but doing so without a doctor's help can be risky. Speak with your doctor about the event and safe next steps. You can find helpful tips on talking to your clinician to prepare for that conversation.
Does Drinking on Alcohol Medicine Mean an Emergency?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Do not wait to see if things get worse.
Seek emergency help now if you notice:
- Sudden shaking or jerking movements
- Heavy disorientation or a lack of alertness
- Perceiving sights or sounds that do not exist
- A high fever or a fast, uneven pulse
- Signs of an overdose, like slow breathing or vomiting
- Wishes to die or to injure oneself
Stopping heavy drinking can make alcohol withdrawal serious.[1] You may need medical care.[1] Severe withdrawal can bring on seizures, hallucinations, and confusion.[1] It can also cause a fast heartbeat or fever.[1]
If you think someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 now.[2] Overdose signs include trouble waking up and slow breathing.[2] Vomiting and seizures are also warning signs.[2]
If a person is hard to wake up, they need help right away. Breathing trouble is an emergency. Collapsing or seizing means call 911. Do not sit and wait.
Figuring out if signs stem from alcohol or the drug is tricky. Do not attempt to find the root cause alone. Look at our guide on signs of severe withdrawal for added safety steps.
Reach out to your doctor or pharmacist if you do not see these risks. They can share tips for your exact case. Keep alcohol-use-disorder medication safety in mind and know when to move quickly.
Which Med You Use Shapes the Risk
Whether drinking is safe on alcohol medication does not have one clear answer. The danger level varies by the specific drug. The FDA has given approval to three drugs for alcohol use disorder: acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone.[3] For a closer look at one of those options, our guide to acamprosate for alcohol use disorder explains who it is best for. If cost is a concern, our guide to insurance coverage for naltrexone explains how to verify your benefits and copays. If you are weighing naltrexone specifically, our guide to naltrexone for alcohol use disorder covers its side effects and fit.
Every drug for alcohol use disorder acts differently. Each one carries its own safety rules.
| Medication | Role in Treatment | Safety Context After Drinking |
|---|---|---|
| Disulfiram | Helps stop drinking by causing bad reactions if alcohol is present. | A reaction may happen if you drink during treatment or for up to 14 days after stopping the medication.[4] Avoid alcohol during this entire period and check with your prescriber before drinking. |
| Naltrexone | Lowers cravings and the reward from alcohol. | Current opioid use or dependence can make naltrexone unsafe and may trigger withdrawal.[5] Ask your clinician about your specific opioid history. Read our guide on naltrexone safety considerations. |
| Acamprosate | Helps you stay sober by balancing brain chemicals. | It works with counseling and support to help you avoid drinking alcohol again.[6] Ask your provider for advice on managing any slips. |
Safety details shift with the specific drug. Never guess if it is safe. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist for help with your prescription. If side effects show up, see more about managing medication side effects. You may take these meds by themselves or alongside therapy and support groups.[3] Knowing your exact medication is the first step to getting help after a slip. If you are weighing combining medication and therapy for alcohol use disorder, our guide explains how those paths work together.
Items to Have on Hand for a Phone Call
Right advice is easier to get with clear facts. Collect these items before dialing. Use your pill bottle or a written list. Do not count on memory.
FDA Medication Guides follow a standard format. They may not cover every rule for a particular drug.[7] Check the label on your medicine for exact details.
Before You Call
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
This list helps you get ready to call. It does not serve as a medical check-up. Follow your doctor's advice on your meds.
Going Back to Drinking Is Not the End of Progress
Drinking again is not a moral failure. It does not mean you should quit treatment. Alcohol use disorder is a complex, multifaceted, but treatable medical condition.[8]
The progress you made still matters. These are useful steps you can take now:
- Get in touch with your prescriber or treatment team quickly.
- Talk through the event and check if your care plan needs a change.
- Ask for targeted help with cravings or triggers.
- Get in touch with a peer support group or a recovery coach.
Peer-delivered interventions that connect people to ongoing support are associated with lower relapse and re-admission rates. They also boost engagement and social support for change.[9]
If you are family or a friend, support after an alcohol relapse means listening without judgment. Ask the person what kind of help they want. You can offer to make the call or join the next appointment. You do not have to fix the problem; just show up.
Our guide on steps after a relapse offers more detail on what to do next.
Make a Safer Choice
Run this check to prep for a visit with a pro. It does not diagnose anything. Also, it cannot show if an interaction is safe.
Which Next Step Should I Take?
This self-check is for information only and isn't a diagnosis. It cannot determine whether an interaction is safe.
Reach out to your care team if you have questions about alcohol-use-disorder medication safety after drinking.
Continue Seeking Help
Staying on track relies on getting support after an alcohol relapse. You do not need to handle it solo. If you struggle with sobriety or need the right care, reaching out is a strong move.
It provides referrals and treatment information for people with substance use disorders.
Do not delay searching for a program. If you are having emergency symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. For all others, you can find treatment near you to view local choices for alcohol use disorder care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I drank while taking disulfiram?
Call Poison Help or your prescriber right away. Tell them how much you drank and when. Disulfiram-alcohol reactions can cause flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, choking, breathing difficulty, and anxiety.[4] If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, a seizure, or severe confusion, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
Should I stop or skip my next medication dose after drinking?
Do not stop, skip, double, or change your dose on your own. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist what to do next. Have your medication label and drinking details ready for that call.
What are the two commonly used medicines, and what is the “new drug” for alcoholism?
Two FDA-approved options for AUD are naltrexone and acamprosate; disulfiram is a third FDA-approved option.[3] The phrase “new drug” is ambiguous and does not identify a specific medicine. NIAAA lists these three medications as FDA-approved for AUD.[3] Ask for the exact product name and check its U.S. approval status. Do not rely on headlines or claims that a treatment is new. If a drug is used for an unapproved use, FDA has not determined that it is safe and effective for that use.[10]
Does returning to drinking mean treatment has failed?
What are common signs of an alcohol relapse?
No single observation proves that someone has returned to drinking. If you notice less contact, missed plans, or a change in their usual routine, ask how they are doing rather than assuming what it means. A return to drinking may mean treatment needs to resume or change; it does not mean treatment has failed.[11] If the person cannot be woken, is confused, vomiting, having seizures, or breathing slowly or irregularly, call 911 now; these can be signs of alcohol overdose.[2]
How many times can someone relapse, and how long does a relapse last?
Focus on what support the person needs now. A return to drinking may mean they need to resume or change treatment, or try another treatment.[11] Talk with their treatment team about next steps.
How can I support someone who has returned to drinking?
Listen without judgment. Ask what kind of help feels useful to them. Offer to make calls together with them. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Are medications for alcohol use disorder the same as medication for alcohol withdrawal?
No, they are different topics. Clinical guidance separates acute withdrawal care from ongoing AUD treatment.[12] Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, a high fever, or a racing heart during withdrawal require calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room now.[1] For non-emergency questions, ask a clinician about withdrawal symptoms and discuss ongoing AUD treatment separately.
