A drink with my klonopin? Or two, maybe?

[The Emperor]

I do realize that technically you aren't supposed to drink on a lot of meds. I am on Effexor and klonopin. I take .5mg of clonazepam twice a day.

Anyhoo, like I said, I know it's "not good" to do this. I'm not supposed to be drinking on either of my meds.

And, I NEVER EVER HAVE.

I actually have probably been drunk one time in the past three years and maybe had five drinks on five separate occasions outside of that, but it was all before I started taking meds.

Tonight I'm attending a birthday party for a girl I know. I don't really know that I want to drink, I don't think so, but I have pretty bad anxiety about people and shit and know that a drink might help alleviate it. I'm not planning on drinking to self-medicate this, but I don't know WHAT I will do once I am there. I really cannot make a commitment to NOT drinking and know I will stick to it, unfortunately.

I do plan on taking .5mg of klonopin before I go, and maybe this will make the anxiety manageable, I don't know, I don't go out much, don't attend ANY parties or any big social gatherings.

Okay, anyway, I was just wondering, really, is it okay to maybe have a drink or two with these meds? Yeah, I know the doctor would probably advise against it, but it won't make me falling down drunk or kill me, will it? I know, everyone is different, but I doubt everyone here has given up the occasional glass of wine or two. I just want to know how your benzos (or other meds) interact with the alcohol. Is this something I should be afraid of? Big NO NO? I don't really know what to do!

I don't plan on getting wasted, I don't like that, I just want maybe a drink or two, if I feel like it. Any advice?

Thanks! I know this has probably been addressed before, but I failed to find anything using the "search" function, maybe poor wording on my part, I dunno.

[beetle]

I know I shouldn't but I drink on my meds and it's quite a lot on occasion. I mean like I don't drink a couple glasses of wine, I drink the bottle and then wish there was more. I'm taking .5mg of Klonopin twice daily.

The conservative answer is to never ever drink while you're on head meds. But how many of us do? Many.

If you don't know how it effects you though, I wouldn't advise your first time having a drink on your meds to be out in public. You simply don't know if it will knock you on your ass or not. And since you're not a drinker with a tolerance, like me, that one drink mixed with your klono just might knock you on your ass.

If I were you, I'd see how I felt after having a drink at home. The main thing with benzos and alcohol is that if you really overdo it, you can dangerously depress you CNS. At least that's how I understand it. Like, stop breathing in your sleep kind of stuff. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I wouldn't take your klono and wash it down with drink either. Just be careful. I'm not going to be the one to tell you to never ever have a drink.

[resonance]

Yes, it's a bad idea. However, if you drink, drink *slowly* and plan to drink less than you would have off meds. In the past, I've had meds make 3/4 of a single-serving-size margarita act like two of them, which for me meant difficulty walking in a straight line.

[The Emperor]

Thanks guys. I actually finally found a thread on this just a few minutes ago after typing in many more variations of "alcohol and meds" or "klonopin and drinking" Damn that took forever. So no one else has to answer this if you don't want to. I wish I would have found that before having everyone be so redundant. I looked though.

I wish that I could have tried this at home first, but I'm just not a drinker. I got all the blackouts and humiliations over with by the time I was 20, so I've been trashed a whole lot and partied a whole lot and consider that phase of my life completely over with now, so I'm weird and will rarely even think about touching a fucking beverage these days. So I have a weird thing about drinking on the meds and have been really good about it.

I just feel bad that it's supposed that I SHOULD give up a few things that normal people can enjoy in moderation because I'm on a couple of meds, or because I have some mental shit going on. I know that's just the way it goes, and I can't blame anyone for it, it's just a bit of a bummer. And I really DON'T want to get trashed at all, just have two drinks or something, you know?

A margarita at the mexican restaraunt, maybe some fucking champagne to celebrate being home-owners, or our five year anniversary, these events are coming up very soon. I don't know, just kinda sucks. No real big deal or anything since I don't drink, but you know, sometimes it would be nice to have a beer during my football games or what the hell ever just because I LIKE beer, and I LIKE margaritas.

Get non alcoholic shit I guess, doesn't taste as good though, just like I can't drink de-caf coffee.

Sorry about the rant. I probably won't drink at all.

Watch me rant on my blog tomorrow about how wasted I got. Geez I hope not.

[beetle]

Thanks guys. I actually finally found a thread on this just a few minutes ago after typing in many more variations of "alcohol and meds" or "klonopin and drinking" Damn that took forever. So no one else has to answer this if you don't want to. I wish I would have found that before having everyone be so redundant. I looked though.

I wish that I could have tried this at home first, but I'm just not a drinker. I got all the blackouts and humiliations over with by the time I was 20, so I've been trashed a whole lot and partied a whole lot and consider that phase of my life completely over with now, so I'm weird and will rarely even think about touching a fucking beverage these days. So I have a weird thing about drinking on the meds and have been really good about it.

I just feel bad that it's supposed that I SHOULD give up a few things that normal people can enjoy in moderation because I'm on a couple of meds, or because I have some mental shit going on. I know that's just the way it goes, and I can't blame anyone for it, it's just a bit of a bummer. And I really DON'T want to get trashed at all, just have two drinks or something, you know?

A margarita at the mexican restaraunt, maybe some fucking champagne to celebrate being home-owners, or our five year anniversary, these events are coming up very soon. I don't know, just kinda sucks. No real big deal or anything since I don't drink, but you know, sometimes it would be nice to have a beer during my football games or what the hell ever just because I LIKE beer, and I LIKE margaritas.

Get non alcoholic shit I guess, doesn't taste as good though, just like I can't drink de-caf coffee.

Sorry about the rant. I probably won't drink at all.

Watch me rant on my blog tomorrow about how wasted I got. Geez I hope not.

Is someone else going to be doing the driving. Since you don't know how even one drink is going to mix with your klono I would highly suggest having a driver.

[The Emperor]

yeah, SO is coming with me, and I don't drive anyway, so yeah, he doesn't drink either. He'll drive me home. Thanks for the concern.

[Duelist]

I'd actually like to see the thread too, got the link to it still or tell me what its title was THE EMPEROR? I am going somewhere tomorrow and would like to drink some wine but I haven't had and benzo's since yesterday. I won't be driving of course, and I don't plan on taking meds (mainly the pain and muscle relaxer ones since drinking with those is ASKING for trouble) during the afternoon while I have wine in my system...I was reading this and searched too but didn't find another thread devoted to this topic. Thanks for asking about it THE EMPEROR!

[kdbee]

I've been on Klonopin for ... maybe 3 or 4 years? 2-4mg a day. I do drink while on it (but I have a problem with drinking).

I will say that it makes every drink feel like 2 FOR ME. IF you choose to drink, just have one drink. And drink slowly. You can even get a mixed drink and tell the bartender to go very light on the booze.

I've been trying cut down my drinking hardcore...haven't had a drink in several days. Last night (after taking 4mg of klonopin throughout the day), I had one glass of wine at a birthday party and I was definitely tipsy. This wouldn't have happened if I were not on the Klonopin.

I would suggest not doing it, but if you choose to be careful. Oftentimes when I go out, I chug my first drink so it gets in my system hopefully scaring the social anxiety away. Don't do this. It's stupid and It makes me feel like crap after.

Oh, also...try to stick with beer with a low alcohol content.

[The Emperor]

I'd actually like to see the thread too, got the link to it still or tell me what its title was THE EMPEROR? I am going somewhere tomorrow and would like to drink some wine but I haven't had and benzo's since yesterday. I won't be driving of course, and I don't plan on taking meds (mainly the pain and muscle relaxer ones since drinking with those is ASKING for trouble) during the afternoon while I have wine in my system...I was reading this and searched too but didn't find another thread devoted to this topic. Thanks for asking about it THE EMPEROR!

I don't have the link, but just type in "klonopin, alcohol" into the search thingy up there, make sure to remember the comma! If that doesn't work, the way I found the thread actually was by googling "klonopin and alcohol" and that thread popped up fourth or fifth on the first page. It really wasn't easy to find, I typed in soooo many different things here.

[The Emperor]

ksh- thanks for your response. All the information I found on it from people WITHOUT experience was just basically "DON'T DO THAT! YOU COULD DIE!" Which I actually don't think is necessarily too likely with .5-1mg of klono and a beer or two, so I'm fairly certain this won't kill me.

SO is coming with me and can likely help me. I used to be the type that couldn't stop at just one drink, and even though it's been a LOOONG time since then, I'm going to try my best to be pretty cautious about this because I don't want to have one or two drinks and then not be able to stop. I KNOW my best option is to not have ANY drinks here, especially since I'll be in a setting with a freaking FOUNTAIN of whiskey(which used to be my absolute FAVORITE) and a keg. So, needless to say, there will be quite the supply of alcohol available.

And I used to be the type that drank the first drink slowly and every drink after that within ten seconds, so this is certainly an issue for me. I'm nervous and KNOW there's going to be a bit of pressure on me to have *A* drink or shot here and there. If it sounds like a bad idea, I know I won't do it, but I'm afraid it will sound like a GOOD idea. Hopefully not.

So I've decided that I'm likely NOT going to even have one, I don't think I will right now. That does not mean that 9:00PM rolls around and I'll have the same opinion at all.

But this really was all good advice, and if I DO drink, I'll try and take it really slow and limit myself to one or two drinks. Hopefully the klonopin will be enough that I don't have to worry about medicating my social anxiety with endless amounts of Jack Daniels.

[Duelist]

Thanks! I will run a search on it now. Good luck at the party!

[The Emperor]

Thanks. I just got back, thought I'd give an update if anyone gave a shit, which I doubt. sometimes people post shit on here that I get curious about and wish there was an update and, no such luck, so here's mine;

Went to the party, was nervous, didn't relate to anyone there, didn't have a great time, wished I was normal and could drink and have a good time like everyone else. Had a weak drink that I drank slowly just so I had something in my hands and people weren't offering me a drink left and right.

I don't really think I feel much different than usual on my klonopin, though SO thinks I seem tipsy, which I REALLY don't feel like it at ALL, so maybe something weird did happen, but I honestly don't even feel like I drank anything.

So there you go, 1 drink + my usual dosage of klonopin= nothing special or frightening for me.

this isn't meant to encourage anyone to drink on their meds, this was just what happened to me.

Thanks to everyone who helped!

[kdbee]

Hey,

It kind of changes things in that you've had a problem with limiting alcohol in your past. Even though it's been a long time since then, you could relapse. Add that to the mix and I'd have said not to drink at all.

Also, if your SO says that you seemed a bit tipsey tonight, you probably were. In situations like these, we're usually not the best at judging ourselves. I'd trust him on that one. I'd hate for you to think, "hey, I did ok last time" and try to drink two or three drinks the next. You know?

I went out last night for awhile, had two drinks and then knew it was time to go home despite friends wanting me to stay out longer. I knew i'd just drink more and I already felt buzzed enough to know that the third drink would have put me over the edge (the bad edge).

In the future, another thing you can do is order soda water and cranberry juice...or something like that...That way people see a drink in your hand and won't feel the need to fill your empty hand.

[olga]

Emperor, one of my favorite drinks is ginger ale. It looks like a mixed drink, but I can drink lots of them with no ill effect.

I'm sorry you didn't feel comfortable there, but it's good that you didn't get drunk. That just isn't real safe with our meds.

olga

[beetle]

Thanks. I just got back, thought I'd give an update if anyone gave a shit, which I doubt. sometimes people post shit on here that I get curious about and wish there was an update and, no such luck, so here's mine;

Went to the party, was nervous, didn't relate to anyone there, didn't have a great time, wished I was normal and could drink and have a good time like everyone else. Had a weak drink that I drank slowly just so I had something in my hands and people weren't offering me a drink left and right.

I don't really think I feel much different than usual on my klonopin, though SO thinks I seem tipsy, which I REALLY don't feel like it at ALL, so maybe something weird did happen, but I honestly don't even feel like I drank anything.

So there you go, 1 drink + my usual dosage of klonopin= nothing special or frightening for me.

this isn't meant to encourage anyone to drink on their meds, this was just what happened to me.

Thanks to everyone who helped!

I'm glad your experiment wasn't a disaster. Sorry you didn't have fun at the party.

[kdbee]

I'd actually like to see the thread too, got the link to it still or tell me what its title was THE EMPEROR? I am going somewhere tomorrow and would like to drink some wine but I haven't had and benzo's since yesterday. I won't be driving of course, and I don't plan on taking meds (mainly the pain and muscle relaxer ones since drinking with those is ASKING for trouble) during the afternoon while I have wine in my system...I was reading this and searched too but didn't find another thread devoted to this topic. Thanks for asking about it THE EMPEROR!

DON'T not take your meds! Def not a good idea to choose booze over medication.

[The Emperor]

I know it's not a good idea. I don't see how one drink could hurt.

Concerning the fact that I really have had problems limiting myself in the past: though this is CERTAINLY true, I was never addicted to alcohol, it was the "get drunk and act crazy" phase that lasted a bit too long, but I wouldn't say I ever had a problem. Back in those days, my AIM was to get trashed. Now that's something I would not want, just a drink or two.

I didn't have an AWFUL time at the party, I mean, I got to see people I haven't seen in a while, and people didn't want me to leave, which was nice, but I had had my drink, didn't want to have any more, and everyone else was so drunk around me that, in order to enjoy myself, I'd have had to be on the same level as them and didn't want that, so we left.

I won't keep myself from having one drink at dinner after this, if I choose too on occasion because I know it's not realy going to be anything awful.

Yeah, SO thought I seemed tipsy, but even right now, a day later, I know he was wrong. He thought I was talking too fast or something, acting too happy. But he doesn't get that I HAVE to ACT different around these people. If I acted the way I felt, I would have shut myself up in the bathroom all night and no one would have had a place to piss. I still don't think I was tipsy in any way. But maybe there's a small chance that the interaction between my drugs made it SEEM that way. I know what tipsy feels like, that wasn't it.

AND NO to whoever wanted to not take meds in order to drink. I have considered this before, but it's likely not worth it at all.

I promise, I will be responsible and there's nothing to worry about on my end. The drunk scene just isn't mine anymore, I have no desire for it.

Thank you to all who were concerned, I totally appreciate it.

[tazunemono]

The last time I drank heavily on Klonopin (and Lexapro) I passed out in bed sobbing, rolled out of bed onto my hardwood floor, and laid there all night, to the dismay of my wife who could not budge me (190lbs male)

Previously, I have made irrational and poor choices which drinking on K - making out with strange girls at bars, spending LOTS of money, etc.

I have lost 2 friends because of $hit said/texted to them while drunk on K and alcohol. Not cool. Worked hard to develop those friendships, now they are gone, probably forever. People don;t often give 2nd chances.

Message: You think you can handle it until you can't - then you're in trouble.

Now, I do not drink at all, at my wife's insistence. I gave it up 1 month ago and have felt great ever since.

I won't drink again until I'm off the psychotropic meds. There's just too much risk involved. I've heard stories of people drinking while on Ativan and being arrested for driving naked and drunk, getting tazed and not remembering anything the next day. Alc + Benzo = not a good combo!

Just my 2c

[beetle]

Wow, I guess this is really a YMMV kind of thing. I tend to drink a lot, or what most people would consider a lot, it one sitting on my head meds and it's never really effected me in any negative way. About the worst that's ever happened is I'll get a little weepy if I was kind of down to begin with. I makes it easier for me to cry, not that I need any help with that.

But I imagine it just all depends on your tolerance and metabolism and such. I don't notice any difference when drinking on my meds than when I would drink off of meds.

Now the exception to that is now that I've recently started ritalin, I had a couple glasses of wine the other night and felt much more intoxicated than I would normally. But I didn't do anything crazy. Just sat at home and had a few drinks and chilled.

I'm not trying to convince anyone to drink on their meds. It really is probably not a good idea. My biggest concern is my liver, really. I know some of these meds give the liver a workout so put alcohol on top of that and it could be bad news.

I've told my pdoc that I like to drink wine. I have not told her that it's usually the whole bottle in one sitting... well that would be over the course of an evening. I don't do it everyday but sometimes at least once a week. She doesn't seem to have a problem with me having a few drinks.

[The Emperor]

I'm not likely to drink heavily on my meds. I know that's not a good idea, it's probably not a good idea for me to drink heavily at all, though it does sound like fun sometimes. I used to have a lot of fun being a drunken dumbass before I got pregnant, now I've been drunk one time in three years, and that was before meds.

beetle- I wonder, if asked, if most p-docs would say it's probably okay to have a drink or two on klonopin (depends on the person's cocktail, I'm sure) I know that one drink didn't really do anything to me, I didn't feel like I'd even had ONE drink, so I honestly don't know why it would be a problem to have one or two drinks every now and then or even everyday if that's how you unwind and aas long as you don't get trashed all the time.

I have an appt. with p-doc next week, so I'll likely ask him about the one or two drinks every now and then thing, see what he says.

[Duelist]

I'd actually like to see the thread too, got the link to it still or tell me what its title was THE EMPEROR? I am going somewhere tomorrow and would like to drink some wine but I haven't had and benzo's since yesterday. I won't be driving of course, and I don't plan on taking meds (mainly the pain and muscle relaxer ones since drinking with those is ASKING for trouble) during the afternoon while I have wine in my system...I was reading this and searched too but didn't find another thread devoted to this topic. Thanks for asking about it THE EMPEROR!

DON'T not take your meds! Def not a good idea to choose booze over medication.

I don't think you saw the second part ksh. I hope that this clarifies things, I would never just choose wine or beer over head meds, it was the painkiller and muscle relaxer I was not gonna take while I felt buzzed from wine IF I drank that much, and as it turns out I didn't drink a drop.

[whirledps]

I won't drink again until I'm off the psychotropic meds. There's just too much risk involved. I've heard stories of people drinking while on Ativan and being arrested for driving naked and drunk, getting tazed and not remembering anything the next day. Alc + Benzo = not a good combo!

Just my 2c

Def not good if your'e the driver. I have 3 dui's involving benzo's and booze scattered over the past 30 years to show for it. I also had/have a drinking and drug problem too. I'm not bragging by any means.

If ya'll remmeber qualudes, I've got one on those too. What kind of idiot drinks, does ludes and tries to drive? Me, I'm sorry to admit.

[crtclms]

I come from a family that often had wine with dinner. I mean a bottle split among 6 of us, and the kids' was watered until we were teenagers. I do still drink a glass of wine, or even two, about once a month, but I always do it on a Friday or Saturday night, and if my head is feeling "clear" and not possibly migrainous.

I use Xanax, and have not had problems with it. My p-doc is of the school that moderate drinking (which he would consider even a little more than I drink) is acceptable. I refuse to drink and drive, anyway, so if Xanax makes me more tipsy, I kind of wouldn't know, as I wouldn't be on the road.

[Guest missmissymel]

i take klnopin and have dran heavily while on it. I have drank so much i have acted really aggresive and blacked ouyt forgeting what I said and I get so drunk that I open my legs easily. Now that was all in the past. i do occasionally drink to a point but I try to stop. I have it bad bi-polar and alcoloism runs in my family, so i have both. i take .05 klonopins a day and then drink once in awhile. I do it at home though and I am trying to quit but it is so hard. Liver damage i did not know about until i read about it here, but once I decide to stop drinking i will, i know i can

[Hotmess]

I don't take klonopin (clonazapem) regularly so I can't say 100% how I have always been with it... but I've always drank while on my meds and not had a problem.

That said, I'm sure that it depends on your metabolism, tolerance etc and for anyone it's probably smart to see how you do with it while in the comfort of your home and if you're going to test this, do so very slowly and in small amounts. (maybe have one drink and see how you feel) There are always other factors effecting how drunk you will get such as what you had to eat that day etc.

I was just thinking about days that I may have taken Clonazapem and drank heavily and the two that stand out were my wedding day - where I took one in the morning and I was drinking Mimosas all morning and then wine and vodka tonics that night (nothing too excessive but defintiely steadily drinking throughout that day) and I was fine. (I was also on lexapro and welbutrin at the time) and then I took one the morning of my recent July 4th party I was hosting b/c I was really anxious and I drank a lot that day i(vodka, shots, mojitos, wine, beer) ll day and night and I was fine. I only took .5 though

Bt just b/c I was ok doesn't mean everyone will be so although this has already been answered I thought i"d share my personal experience and suggest anyone reading this and wondering to take it slow to see how YOU react.

[bpladybug]

I'm not likely to drink heavily on my meds. I know that's not a good idea, it's probably not a good idea for me to drink heavily at all, though it does sound like fun sometimes. I used to have a lot of fun being a drunken dumbass before I got pregnant, now I've been drunk one time in three years, and that was before meds.

beetle- I wonder, if asked, if most p-docs would say it's probably okay to have a drink or two on klonopin (depends on the person's cocktail, I'm sure) I know that one drink didn't really do anything to me, I didn't feel like I'd even had ONE drink, so I honestly don't know why it would be a problem to have one or two drinks every now and then or even everyday if that's how you unwind and aas long as you don't get trashed all the time.

I have an appt. with p-doc next week, so I'll likely ask him about the one or two drinks every now and then thing, see what he says.

When I was taking Xanax four times a day I had an approach to social drinking and my med. When I was going to a business cocktail party or a dinner where I wanted to have a drink (one drink) I would skip my xanax. It was either a xanax or a glass of wine. Later at home near bedtime I would take my regular Xanax. But I never combined the two.