The University of Idaho Argonaut

Photo Illustration by Steven Devine/Argonaut

Mixing alcohol, medication a growing problem among college students

Mixing medicine and alcohol, recreationally or accidentally, can have dire consequences.

“Issues involving mixing alcohol with medications that occur are important and powerful lessons,” said Bruce Pitman, vice provost of student affairs.

“We can work as we do, continuing and creating alcohol and drug education programs to help inform students,” Pitman said, “along with engaging intense enforcement actions when needed.”

Taking an antibiotic during the week and going out drinking on the weekend may result in adverse health issues.

The advice Pitman had was straightforward.

“Don’t mix alcohol with medications, no matter what kind they are. It can be deadly. You may even have underlying issues that were never anticipated,” Pitman said. “When you take a prescription, the purpose is to help with pain, or a health issue.”

There are so many factors involved, and it can vary from person to person, he said.

“There is a reason warnings are on medication labels advising not to mix alcohol with them,” Pitman said.

There are generally no legal consequences to an accidental mix of the two substances, said Lt. Dave Lehmitz, campus division commander of the Moscow Police Department.

“If the prescription is obtained illegally, it is a whole other issue,” Lehmitz said. “If the script on the prescription doesn’t match, the owner of that script has committed a felony in the state of Idaho.”

Mixing a depressant (alcohol) with another depressant (medication) can slow down your central nervous system, he said.

“You’re really flirting with fire by mixing alcohol and medicine — whether it is over-the-counter or prescribed,” he said. “It is a serious risk that could result in some serious problems, or death.”

There has been an increase in people combining alcohol and medicine, as well as abusing prescription medications, said Sharon Fritz, a licensed psychologist at the Counseling and Testing Center.

“This problem is seen more and more in young adults, such as college students,” she said.

According to the recent National College Health assessment, more women are abusing prescription medication than men.

“Women have also been abusing erectile dysfunction medications, because some think it results in a better orgasm,” she said.

The issue was brought up in the HBO TV series “Sex in the City” a few years ago, where the character Samantha abuses erectile dysfunction medication, which the show played for laughs.

“This just goes to show that some women are very misinformed,” Fritz said.

Whether people are expecting decreased stress, higher confidence or better sex after abusing a medication with or without alcohol, usually the end result isn’t what is desired, she said.

“Look at what you are wanting out of this experience, and try to see if you can get it in a safer manner,” she said.

Anyone can come to the Counseling and Testing Center, with any sort of problem, and it will be kept confidential unless the person threatens to hurt or kill themselves or others, she said.