Can You Drink Alcohol if You’re Recovering from Drug Addiction?

If you are in recovery from drug addiction, you may wonder if it is safe to drink alcohol. Many people in addiction recovery are curious about the boundaries of sobriety. If they were addicted to drugs but never struggled with alcohol abuse, why wouldn’t it be safe to drink in recovery?

The research is clear. People recovering from drug addiction should not drink alcohol– even if they do not have a history of problematic drinking. While drugs and alcohol are different substances, they affect your brain in similar ways. Both can alter your brain functioning and chemistry and put you at risk of addiction.

This article will explore how addiction develops, the relationship between drug and alcohol abuse, and how to find the treatment you need to overcome substance abuse. Reach out to the New You Sober Living team now to learn about our aftercare programs or to find a sober living program.

Understanding How Addiction Works

To better understand why it is critical to abstain from alcohol during drug addiction recovery, we must understand how any type of addiction develops. Drugs and alcohol impact neurological reward systems in your brain by causing an increase in dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. When people drink alcohol or use drugs, their brain is flooded with dopamine, eventually resulting in cravings and dependence.

While some people may develop an addiction to only one type of substance, it is more likely that a person with one kind of addiction may develop another. Some people may be able to recover from drug addiction and develop moderate drinking habits. However, many will work hard to recover from drug addiction and slip into alcohol addiction.

It is impossible to know who may safely drink alcohol during drug addiction recovery and who will fall victim to another devastating addiction. For this reason, mental health and addiction experts recommend that people in recovery from drug addiction abstain from all other intoxicating substances, including alcohol.

Can I Drink Alcohol in Recovery From Drug Addiction?

There’s a common belief that marijuana is a gateway drug, meaning that people who use marijuana will inevitably go on to abuse more potent drugs. However, alcohol use is actually much more likely to lead to drug dependency than marijuana.

Research shows that people who consume alcohol are more likely to try other, more addictive drugs– and less than 4% of people who do not drink go on to use other substances.

Drinking early in life is another risk factor for further drug use. someone who begins drinking alcohol before they’re 15 is more than 100 times more likely to start using cocaine than someone who doesn’t drink or drink later in life. Research also shows that over a quarter of people in adult drug rehabilitation programs who used methamphetamines, heroin, or cocaine began their substance abuse journey with alcohol.

There are also common risk factors among people who have gone through drug rehabilitation and went on to develop alcohol addiction. These include:

•  Family history of alcohol abuse
•  Childhood trauma, including physical or sexual abuse
•  Emotional trauma, such as the death of a loved one or divorce of parents
•  Mental illness and substance abuse
•  Being in an environment with many other people who are drinking heavily
•  A history of alcohol abuse before drug use
•  Using drugs and alcohol at the same time

While these risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing alcohol addiction after successful drug rehabilitation, there is no way to determine who and who will not develop alcohol addiction. For this reason, mental health and addiction experts typically recommend that people in recovery from drug addiction also abstain from alcohol.

Recognizing Cross-Addiction

Cross-addiction is a term that describes When one addiction takes the place of another. People in recovery from drug addiction May replace their drug abuse with dependency on something else. Some common substitutes include:

•  Alcohol
•  Compulsive shopping
•  Sex
•  Overeating
•  Gambling

While some of these activities may not seem as destructive as drug abuse, any addictive behavior can overtake your life, impair your ability to function, and lead to mental and physical devastation.

Some of the signs that you may be suffering from cross-addiction include:

• Neglecting hobbies, relationships, and interests to make time for a new addiction or because you can no longer participate in them due to the effects of the addiction
•  Mood swings or compulsions when you can’t use the substance or engage in the activity
•  Neglecting responsibilities at home, school, or work
•  Lying or hiding your activities
•  Wanting to stop doing the activity but finding that it feels impossible
•  Taking risks or engaging in illegal activities, such as stealing to fund the habits

Lifelong addiction recovery requires focus, commitment, and a lot of support. Alcohol can impair your judgment and make it harder for you to participate in recovery-related activities. It can weaken your resolve and cause you to get into destructive patterns that derail your progress in recovery.

Find Help Now

If you or someone you love is in recovery and needs support to avoid alcohol abuse or other addictive behaviors, reach out to the New You Sober Living team now. Our supportive sober living and aftercare programs can help you stay focused and committed to lifelong sobriety. Call now to get started.