People with certain sleep disorders may find that taking Modafinil is helpful for their condition. However, mixing modafinil and alcohol may cause a range of serious interactions. Some people may develop an increased tolerance for alcohol. Others may experience blackouts. If you are struggling with problems due to mixing Modafinil and alcohol, contact our Modafinil addiction treatment program today.
Side Effects of Modafinil
This drug promotes wakefulness if a person suffers from sleep conditions such as:
- Narcolepsy
- Idiopathic hypersomnia
- Shift work disorder
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Modafinil also has certain side effects. A person may experience life-threatening allergic reactions such as a swollen tongue, face, throat, or lips. They may also have difficulty breathing after taking this medication.
They may display serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Hallucinations, chest pain, red rash on the skin, bleeding, bruising, and severe muscle weakness are among the many side effects. A person should stop taking Modafinil immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Side Effects of Alcohol
A person develops signs of intoxication as their blood alcohol content rises. They may pass out or begin stumbling or falling. Alcohol poisoning may also occur. Lowered inhibitions mean their judgment and reaction time may become impaired.
It is a strong possibility that they will develop long-term health problems from chronic abuse of alcohol. Their struggle with alcohol abuse may trigger a mental illness requiring serious addiction treatment.
Modafinil and Alcohol Interactions
While Modafinil comes with its own set of side effects, its interaction with alcohol can create more issues. Both substances can affect two neurotransmitters in the brain: GABA and Glutamate.
GABA is essential for vision, muscular movements, and anxiety. Additionally, glutamate controls a person’s memory and learning capacity. Modafinil can inhibit the way GABA receptors function. The drug does this while enhancing the way Glutamate functions.
Alcohol has the opposite effect. It increases GABA to an out-of-control level while inhibiting what glutamate is supposed to do in the brain. The result is extreme effects on a person’s mood.
Mixing Modafinil and Alcohol
No one should practice mixing Modafinil with alcohol. However, the jury is still out on the actual effects of combining both substances.
A healthy person taking Modafinil to get cognition-enhancing effects may experience blackouts. So, the impact on someone who might have a health condition could be quite different. Additionally, some people get a heightened tolerance for alcohol. This may cause them to drink more than usual without feeling drunk.
Alcohol and Modafinil have opposite effects on chemistry in the brain. It is safer not to mix the two. The overall effects of a person combining both substances can be unpredictable.
Compassionate Treatment for Modafinil and Alcohol Addiction
Crestview Recovery Center’s addiction treatment philosophy integrates traditional and holistic methods. We address the realities you face in recovery by helping develop life skills and coping strategies that last beyond treatment.
Our addiction specialist team helps you with making real-life changes in a comprehensive wellness environment. We offer an alcohol and Modafinil addiction treatment program to address the help you need.
Our multi-therapy approach includes:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
Find a Portland, Oregon Sober Living Center
If you are struggling with any type of addiction, Crestview Recovery is a place of renewal and rebirth. Starting a healthy new life starts with letting go and taking a risk. Even if recovery seems impossible, we have seen miracles happen at Crestview. To join our Oregon sober living community, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Finally, break free from your addiction and move forward with your life by calling our center at 866.262.0531. We can help you start your journey to sobriety.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
