Alcohol & Health
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Clonidine (known as Catapres) is a prescription antihypertensive blood pressure medication that treats hypertension. It decreases certain chemicals in the blood, causing blood vessels to relax and the heart to beat more easily.
Some people mix clonidine and alcohol to amplify alcohol’s effects. However, mixing the two substances is very dangerous and increases the risks of serious side effects.
Healthcare providers recommend that people using clonidine limit their intake of alcohol. Alcohol intensifies the effects of the medication. Drinking alcohol and clonidine also depress the central nervous system (CNS), causing serious adverse reactions.
Mixing clonidine with alcohol may result in:
Using clonidine with alcohol also increases the risk of overdose. Symptoms of a clonidine overdose include:
Overdose symptoms usually occur within 30 minutes to two hours after taking clonidine. However, they occur sooner when alcohol plays a role in the overdose.
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Clonidine amplifies the effects of alcohol and other drugs. It boosts the intensity and duration of a high.
For this reason, people abuse clonidine by mixing it with other substances, most frequently alcohol. Doing so produces a zombie-like effect that some use as a sleep aid.
Clonidine is also easier to obtain since it’s not a controlled substance. Many doctors are likely to prescribe this drug for various conditions. For this reason, those who have a prescription can easily access it and use it to enhance their intoxication.
Clonidine is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
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Clonidine is FDA-approved and considered safe. However, like all medications, the use of it poses a risk of side effects. The most severe that require immediate medical attention include:
Less severe and common side effects that tend to dissipate with time as your body adjusts to the drug include:
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Clonidine eases the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and is occasionally used in addiction treatment. It’s especially effective for easing withdrawal symptoms such as:2
Clonidine is also effective in easing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.3 These symptoms include:
Most clonidine addictions involve alcohol. The medication is rarely abused on its own. Those already struggling with substance abuse or alcohol abuse are at risk of addiction if clonidine is introduced.
Make sure you discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Get all the drug information you need before taking clonidine.
People addicted to clonidine and alcohol experience alcohol addiction withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the combination of drugs. These include:
Someone who abruptly stops using clonidine (after abusing it long-term) may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
Detoxing and recovering from an alcohol and clonidine addiction requires medical supervision. The process is dangerous, and withdrawal puts someone at risk for serious side effects.
It’s important to gradually wean someone off the substances to reduce the risk of serious complications. Treatment options for clonidine and alcohol addiction include:
Inpatient rehabilitation requires you to live in a recovery facility while receiving treatment. Professionals are available 24/7 to provide help. The treatment includes supervised care, individual and group therapy, and medical monitoring.
Outpatient treatment offers addiction counseling sessions on an outpatient basis. This type of treatment is more flexible than inpatient treatment. It allows people to maintain some independence while still receiving professional help.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) uses medication to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can combine this treatment with counseling, behavioral therapy, and other addiction treatment programs.
Support groups provide you with a safe environment to share your experiences with addiction. During these meetings, you’ll receive encouragement from peers in recovery. Examples of support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Clonidine and alcohol shouldn’t be used together. Mixing the two can create a risk of overdose and other adverse reactions.
If you or someone you know suffers from an alcohol and clonidine addiction, seeking medical help is important. Detoxing from these substances should be done under medical supervision with gradual weaning.
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