# Can I drink alcohol while taking mental health medication?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-i-drink-alcohol-while-taking-mental-health-medication
For: Patients | Mental health care | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** Alcohol can make depression and anxiety worse and can interact with many psychiatric medicines, increasing drowsiness or making them less effective. With some medicines the combination can be dangerous. Check the leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medicine. Never stop your medicine so that you can drink. If you find it hard to cut down, NACADA's free 24-hour helpline is 1192 for counselling and referral.

Sources: World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol - NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview - NACADA: https://nacada.go.ke/contact-us

## Related questions

- [Are psychiatric medicines addictive?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/are-psychiatric-medicines-addictive)
- [Can adults have ADHD, and how is it diagnosed?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-adults-have-adhd-and-how-is-it-diagnosed)
- [Can alcohol, cannabis or other drugs cause mental health problems?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-alcohol-cannabis-or-other-drugs-cause-mental-health-problems)

---

**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

- Book a demo: https://tymirahealth.com/demo
- Contact: https://tymirahealth.com/contact (info@tymirahealth.com)
- All resources: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/all