It is common for people with alcohol use disorder to struggle with comorbidities such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, or Anxiety. People often use alcohol when experiencing mental health problems as it is a way of self-medication to numb the distressing symptoms they are experiencing.
It is essential to understand how alcohol and substances interact with medications, as often, it can lead to dangerous side effects if combined. Let’s learn a little more about how the drug Latuda and Alcohol may interact, gain additional adaptive skills for your mental health, and avoid potential consequences from this combination.
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Latuda & Alcohol
Latuda is an antipsychotic drug prescribed by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Latuda, also known by the generic name Lurasidone, is used to treat mental health disorders of Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia.
It is challenging to treat the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia, and alcohol use can exacerbate many of the symptoms associated with these mental health disorders. Using prescription medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics also has several side effects. It can be a process of trial and error for many people to determine whether the side effects are worth the benefits of treating the disorder.
When deciding whether medication is necessary for treating mental health disorders, it is vital to learn how alcohol and substances may interact to maintain a balance between physical and psychological health.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder, formerly manic depressive disorder, is considered a mood disorder. It consists of significant mood swings in which a person may experience a period of depression. Symptoms during a depressive episode may range from mild to severe. Mania typically follows a depressive episode, which, similarly to depression, can range in severity.
Different types of Bipolar Disorders indicate a different time frame of mania or depression and the intensity of symptoms.
Specific Types of Bipolar Disorders:
- Bipolar Disorder.
- Bipolar II Disorder.
- Cyclothymic Disorder.
- Other Types: Bipolar and related disorders induced by drugs or alcohol.
Common Depression Symptoms Include:
- Feelings of sadness.
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
- Suicidal ideation.
- Appetite change.
- Sleep changes.
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Common Manic Symptoms Include:
- Feelings of Euphoria.
- Hyperactivity.
- Rapid Talk.
- Sense of Self Grandeur.
- Impulsive and Risky Behaviors.
- Staying up all Night.
- Irritability.
Individualized mental health therapy is essential for successful patient outcomes. Treatment aims to identify one’s symptoms, discover healthy adaptive skills to treat disruptive symptoms and heal unresolved traumas.
Evidence-based mental health therapies that provide treatment for Bipolar Disorder include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Research has shown that successful outcomes are more likely with the combination of medication and therapy. That means that a person with Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia will often see more remarkable improvement with the combination of therapy and medication such as an antidepressant or antipsychotic, such as Latuda.
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What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition in which a person struggles with interpreting reality. People with Schizophrenia may experience auditory or visual hallucinations, delusions, and significant thought distortions.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia can vary from person to person. Alcohol and drug use can intensify symptoms of delusion and hallucination as impulsivity and reality often become distorted with the combination of alcohol or drugs.
Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia:
- Hallucinations — Hearing or seeing things that don’t exist.
- Delusions — A distorted belief typically about others that do not exist.
- Disorganized Speech — Difficulty engaging in communication that makes sense or would be a logical response.
- Disorganized or Abnormal Behavior — Examples include laughing to self, pacing and talking in an agitated way to one’s self, or standing still in unusual poses.
- Additional Symptoms — A person with Schizophrenia may struggle to maintain personal hygiene, doesn’t make eye contact, may lose interest in activities, and have trouble completing daily tasks.
In addition to being prescribed an antipsychotic such as Latuda, people with Schizophrenia may also need higher levels of care such as Intensive Outpatient Therapy, Partial Hospitalization Program, and Residential Inpatient Treatment.
Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorder Considerations
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common comorbidities in conjunction with Schizophrenia. Research indicates that individuals with psychotic disorders have three times the risk of heavy alcohol use relative to the general population (1).
36.4% of 404 participants had experienced alcohol use disorder before their first episode of psychosis (1).
Bipolar Disorder has also been linked to a high prevalence of alcohol use disorder, indicating that 46.2% of individuals with Bipolar I Disorder also had an alcohol addiction (2).
There are hypotheses of why alcohol use disorder is associated with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. One theory is that individuals could have a genetic predisposition to mental illness and alcohol addiction(1).
Another theory is that people are using alcohol to self-medicate as a way to minimize the distress of mental health symptoms (1).
However, because of the high prevalence of both Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder with alcohol use disorder, treatment needs to be focused on dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction.
Alcohol & Latuda Side Effects
The side effects of alcohol use and Latuda suppress the central nervous system, slowing down breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, and increasing sedation. A person on one or both of these substances makes it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery.
Therefore, it is imperative to avoid the use of alcohol and Latuda together as profound slowing of motor movement, breathing, and heart rate could lead to significant impairment.
Common Side Effects of Alcohol & Latuda:
- Drowsiness.
- Fatigue.
- Respiratory Depression.
- Psychomotor Impairment.
- Confusion.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Risk of Falls.
Alcohol and Latuda Interactions
Because alcohol and Latuda are both central nervous system depressants, it is dangerous to combine both substances as it is unclear how the body would respond to profound sedation. In addition to the physical response one may have to this level of sedation, it also increases the risk of accidents related to falling or motor vehicular collisions if driving under the influence.
Alcohol use also interferes with one’s ability to engage in adaptive mental health tools. Alcohol numbs emotions and increases emotional instability. When people are using alcohol in excess, it prevents their ability for one to seek mental health treatment.
Because alcohol is also a depressant, it increases symptoms of depression, leading to an increased risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior.
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Many Alcohol and Latuda Interactions Are Unknown
More research needs to be done to fully understand the risks and side effects of alcohol and Latuda. However, we know that successfully treating mental health disorders such as Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia requires a holistic approach of medication management, individualized therapy, and a healthy lifestyle refraining from excessive alcohol and substance use.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use disorder, or if you are concerned you may have health problems related to alcohol use, please contact us today. At Guardian Recovery, you will find a compassionate team ready to meet you where you are in your journey toward recovery.
A free, no-obligation health insurance benefit check can be completed at your request.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
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