Today, let’s unpack the relationship between Sertraline and alcohol, understanding how alcohol affects the brain on a short-term and long-term basis, and how you can reduce your alcohol intake to improve your mental health.
We also wrote an article titled The Risks of Mixing Zoloft With Alcohol
Given Zoloft and Sertraline are one and the same, there will be some overlap in information between these two articles. Sertraline is the active, generic ingredient. Zoloft is the brand-name version of Sertraline.
Sertraline (brand name: Lustral or Zoloft ) is an SSRI antidepressant.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) block the reabsorption of serotonin into nerve cells, allowing serotonin to affect the brain and body for longer. For people with particular mental health conditions, this means they feel calmer and happier after taking Sertraline.
Conditions that are treated using Sertraline include:
As with any medication, taking Sertraline can cause side effects, such as:
In more serious cases, Sertraline can lead to anaphylaxis, suicidal thoughts, and serotonin syndrome (a condition that causes confusion, sweating, shaking, and tachycardia).
However, plenty of people take Sertraline without experiencing these side effects. It’s the most common antidepressant prescribed in the UK, with over 24 million items dispensed in 2024 (1).
In terms of dose, Sertraline should be taken once a day at the same time every day. It can be taken with or without food. Often, doctors first prescribe a low dose of Sertraline, and only increase if needed, to reduce side effects.
For most people, it takes a few weeks to begin to feel the impact of Sertraline, and sometimes even up to a couple of months. Sertraline tends to be taken for up to six months after the patient’s symptoms improve, to prevent relapse. For example, if someone stopped feeling depressed at the start of the year, their doctor may still recommend taking Sertraline for a further six months.
When it’s time to come off Sertraline, it’s crucial to consult a doctor, as going “cold turkey” can cause serious withdrawal symptoms to occur.
The NHS advises avoiding alcohol when you are taking Sertraline, as alcohol can prevent the medication from working effectively (3).
In terms of side effects, this area requires more research, as there is no approved evidence that drinking alcohol while on Sertraline poses a threat to physical or mental health.
That being said, studies have suggested this could be a dangerous mix that increases the risk of pathological intoxication (an extreme reaction to a small amount of alcohol), potentially leading to blackouts and risky behaviours (4).
Drinking a small amount is bound to be less risky than drinking excessively. However, most doctors would recommend staying away from alcohol entirely as the safest option.
If you are under the influence of both Sertraline and alcohol, these substances are acting on your brain in different ways, which can interfere with your wellbeing.
Clinical treatment for mental health conditions must be consistent, which is why Sertraline should be taken at the same time every day. If you’re adding alcohol to the mix, consistency can no longer be achieved, and you can’t predict how your brain will respond.
This could lead to more severe mental health symptoms, and an increased relapse risk for conditions such as PTSD or depression.
If you have been drinking alongside Sertraline, here are some signs this may be impacting your treatment:
Some people argue that alcohol is the most effective drug for them, as it makes them feel less anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed. They may feel that Sertraline pales in comparison. This is a very risky mindset to have, and here’s why:
Even if it feels beneficial to begin with, alcohol does not sustainably improve your mood. The more you rely on it, the bigger the risk that you will become dependent on it, which could end up negatively impacting all areas of your life.
Sertraline doesn’t work overnight. It can take weeks to months for the full effects to be felt, so it’s crucial that patients stick with their treatment plan before assuming the drug isn’t going to work.
As we’ve already discussed, alcohol can reduce the effects of Sertraline. This means it’s not reasonable to assume alcohol is the more effective drug, considering it may be preventing the Sertraline from doing its job.
The plan of action depends on how much you’re drinking and how often. If your problem is severe, it’s not recommended to suddenly stop drinking. Instead, speak to your GP, and ask how you can safely withdraw from alcohol.
They may recommend:
For people who are simply drinking occasionally on Sertraline, without any dependence or addiction issues, it’s safe to stop drinking completely.
Whilst it’s not easy to give up something you enjoy, remember that your recovery is the priority here, and avoiding alcohol will benefit your mental health in the long run.
A quick browse of our site will give you an idea of just how passionate we are about addiction treatment.
Our Alcohol Abuse Resources area covers everything from overcoming alcoholism denial to dual diagnosis (battling alcoholism as well as another mental health condition).
We understand that not all readers will be dealing with dependence or addiction, but we’re here to help people at any stage. A quick call with one of our advisers helps us to decide what type of support you may need, no matter how big or small.
Call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) to discuss your experiences with Sertraline and alcohol, without having to commit to a single thing.
[3] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
