Mixing Alcohol & Melatonin: Risks, Side Effects & Treatment

What you should know about melatonin and the potential side effects of combining it with alcohol.

Have you ever wondered if there are possible interactions between alcohol and melatonin? If so, you aren’t alone. This is a common question, as melatonin is a commonly used supplement to help regulate sleep. Below you’ll find more information about melatonin and the potential side effects of combining it with alcohol.

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone released by the pineal gland, which is located near the center of the brain. Production begins only when the surrounding environment is dark. During daylight hours, signals from the retina prevent the pineal gland from being active. When night falls, these signals subside, allowing the gland to release melatonin. As a result, melatonin levels remain low during the daytime, begin to rise in the evening, peak between roughly 2 am and 4 am, and then decrease toward morning.

Because melatonin helps regulate sleep, it is also available over the counter in many pharmacies, grocery stores, health shops and online retailers. Side effects are uncommon, and there is no evidence to suggest melatonin is harmful. Even at higher doses, it appears to remain nontoxic.

Mixing Melatonin and Alcohol

Although melatonin is largely considered safe when taken alone, it is wise to double-check potential drug interactions before combining any substances, including alcohol. Given that alcohol can interfere with normal sleep patterns and melatonin is often used as a sleep aid, it is important to know the possible effects of using these two together.

Side Effects of Combining Alcohol and Melatonin

Studies show that melatonin and alcohol do not directly interact in a harmful way. However, consuming alcohol can reduce the body’s own melatonin production. The more you drink, the less melatonin your brain will naturally produce. Meanwhile, research indicates that melatonin supplements may not provide significant sleep benefits if you struggle with alcohol use.

OTC Sleep Aids and Alcohol

While melatonin itself lacks a direct interaction with alcohol, the same cannot be said for other common over-the-counter sleep aids. Many of these include central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which pose risks when combined with alcohol. Examples include:

• Diphenhydramine: The main ingredient in Benadryl and Aleve PM, this antihistamine causes sedation and can lead to heightened drowsiness and dizziness when taken with alcohol.
• Doxylamine: Found in Unisom, this sedating antihistamine also increases the likelihood of drowsiness and dizziness if combined with alcohol.
• Valerian: This herbal extract is present in some sleep supplements. Mixing valerian and alcohol increases sedation risks and may harm the liver, as both substances can be toxic to liver function.

Alcohol’s Effect on Sleep

If you’re having trouble sleeping, it might be tempting to believe that a small amount of alcohol could help you doze off. While alcohol can make you fall asleep faster, it tends to diminish the overall quality of your sleep. This happens because alcohol can cause more frequent awakenings throughout the night, boosting light sleep while decreasing deeper, more restorative sleep phases (like REM). Consequently, you may feel less rested the following day. In addition, alcohol can worsen conditions like sleep apnea, further disrupting your rest. For these reasons, it is best to avoid alcohol if you are experiencing sleeping problems.

Tips for Better Sleep

You can take a variety of steps to improve your sleep without relying on substances. Strategies include:

• Maintaining consistent wake-up times to establish a regular sleep-wake cycle
• Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine when possible
• Going to bed at the same time every night
• Keeping naps short and early in the afternoon
• Developing a bedtime routine that signals it’s time to wind down
• Dimming lights before bed to help your brain produce melatonin naturally
• Cutting back on alcohol if you regularly drink in the evenings

Mental Health Check During Times of Stress

Periods of heightened stress — whether from everyday issues or unforeseen events — can negatively affect both sleep and mental well-being. Many people may turn to alcohol or sleep aids to cope with stress or anxiety. However, holistic alternatives often offer better long-term solutions without the risks of dependence or additional health complications.

Some helpful ways to reduce stress and support healthier sleep without resorting to alcohol or sleep aids include:

• Taking deep breaths
• Stretching
• Practicing meditation
• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Exercising regularly

When stress becomes overwhelming, it can be challenging to cut back on alcohol if you have begun to rely on it for relaxation. This can create a cycle of dependence that leads to even greater stress. Thankfully, specialized treatment is available to help break the cycle.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes of their substance use disorder.

• Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida, that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
• The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
• The Recovery Village Palmer Lake:In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
• The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington State, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
• The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
• IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
• Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments. It offers services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients and is dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
• The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
• The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
• The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.