What you need to know about alcohol, drugs, medication, and your mental health during hot weather
Hot weather can feel welcome, but it brings real risks, particularly for people who use alcohol or drugs, take prescribed medication, or live with mental health conditions. This post explains what those risks are, how to spot the warning signs, and what to do if you or someone you know needs help.
All of our Wirral Ways hubs remain open. If you need to come in and cool down or have a cold drink of water, please do. You do not need an appointment.
Alcohol and Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes your body lose fluid faster than normal. In hot weather, this happens even more quickly. Drinking alcohol when it is warm outside significantly increases your risk of dehydration, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Dehydration can come on quickly and quietly. Signs to watch out for include:
- Dark or infrequent urine
- Dry mouth and lips
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Alcohol also affects your body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. This means you may feel hotter than you realise, or not notice that you are overheating until it becomes serious.
If you are drinking, try to alternate alcoholic drinks with water. If you are trying to reduce your drinking or are in recovery, hot weather can sometimes increase cravings, particularly if you are uncomfortable or not sleeping well. Talk to your keyworker if this is something you are noticing.
Heat Stroke: Easy to Miss, Easy to Confuse
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It happens when the body’s temperature rises to a dangerous level and it can no longer cool itself down. It can develop rapidly and can be fatal if not treated.
The signs of heat stroke can look very similar to the signs of a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning. This matters, because if someone collapses or loses consciousness in the heat, it may not be immediately obvious what is happening.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- High body temperature (above 40C)
- Hot, dry skin (sweating may stop)
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Fast, weak pulse
- Confusion, agitation, or slurred speech
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
These symptoms overlap significantly with signs of overdose, including pinpoint pupils (in opioid overdose), confusion, unconsciousness, and changes in breathing. If you are not sure what is happening, treat it as an emergency either way.
If someone collapses or is unresponsive:
- Call 999 immediately.
- Do not wait to be certain of the cause.
- Put them in the recovery position if they are breathing.
- If you carry naloxone and suspect opioid overdose, use it. It will not cause harm if the person has not taken opioids.
- Stay with the person until paramedics arrive.
Medications and Hot Weather
Some prescribed medications are affected by heat in ways that can increase health risks. If you take any of the medications below, it is worth being aware of how they interact with high temperatures.
SSRIs and Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants can affect how well your body regulates temperature. They may reduce your ability to sweat, which is your body’s main way of cooling down. This means you can overheat more easily, even with light activity or moderate temperatures.
Some antidepressants also cause increased sweating, which raises the risk of dehydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day is especially important.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications interfere with the body’s thermoregulation (its ability to control body temperature). People taking antipsychotics are at significantly higher risk of heat-related illness, including heat stroke, during hot weather.
These medications can also reduce the sensation of thirst, which means you may not feel dehydrated even when you are. Set reminders to drink water regularly, even if you do not feel the need.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, lorazepam, and others) affect the central nervous system and can reduce awareness of discomfort, including heat. You may not notice that your body temperature is rising until it is already a problem.
Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol in hot weather significantly increases the risk of both overheating and respiratory problems. If you are prescribed benzodiazepines, be extra cautious about alcohol use during this period.
Methadone and Buprenorphine
Both methadone and buprenorphine can affect how the body responds to heat. Methadone in particular has been associated with an increased risk of overheating in hot conditions. Opioids generally suppress the body’s natural responses, including the drive to drink water or move to a cooler environment.
If you collect your prescription daily, try to do so at a consistent time and stay hydrated before and after. If you are concerned about how you are feeling, contact your keyworker or the service directly.
Do not adjust your dose without speaking to your prescriber. Changes to medication should always be discussed with your clinical team.
Mental Health and the Heat
Hot weather can affect mental health in ways that are not always obvious. Poor sleep caused by overnight heat can worsen anxiety and low mood. Feeling physically uncomfortable or irritable can make existing mental health conditions feel harder to manage.
People who experience certain mental health conditions, or who take medication for them, may also be more likely to stay indoors or become socially withdrawn during hot weather, which can increase feelings of isolation.
Some practical things that can help:
- Keep curtains or blinds closed during the hottest part of the day (usually 11am to 3pm)
- Use a fan or move to a cooler room
- Take a cool shower or hold cold water on your wrists and neck
- Avoid alcohol if your mood is already low, as alcohol is a depressant
- Talk to someone if you are struggling, whether that is a friend, your keyworker, or a crisis line
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can contact Cheshire and Wirral NHS Foundation Trust’s 24-hour crisis line on 0800 145 6485, or text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support.
General Tips for Staying Safe
- Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty
- Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day
- Wear light, loose clothing
- Check on people you know who may be more vulnerable, including older people or those who live alone
- Never leave children, pets, or vulnerable adults in parked vehicles
- If you feel unwell, stop what you are doing, move somewhere cool, and get help if needed
We Are Here for You
All Wirral Ways hubs are open as normal. If you need to come in to cool down, you are very welcome. We will make sure you have access to cold water and somewhere to sit. You do not need an appointment.
If you are worried about your own health or someone else’s, please do not wait. Contact us:
- Website: www.wirralways.org.uk
- Email: wirral.services@cgl.org.uk
- Phone: 0151 556 1335
In an emergency, always call 999.
Last Updated on 23 June 2026