Alcohol and antidepressants, Anyone had this problem? (page 2)

bigmouth

From an early age I've always had a propensity to binge drink and I seem to have managed to avoid becoming a classic alcoholic. I can still avoid alcohol by choice.

I've been on quite a range of antidepressants over the years (6 years now on Citalopram or Cipramil),but I can't say I've experienced the urges the article described.

Something doesn't seem right about this comment-"those who have never touched alcohol before Prozac, yet began drinking compulsively due to a medication prescribed by doctors unfamiliar with this connection. By chemically inducing an overwhelming urge to drink this effect also causes patients to mix alcohol with these powerful drugs."...I find it hard to believe that any drug, antidepressant or otherwise would cause a person to search out and use alcohol if that person had never experienced the 'joys' of alcohol in the first place.

I mean, would an Eskimo on Prozac have an overwhelming urge to skol a bottle of anti-freeze?

But, yes, I have seen people on some meds react badly whereas others on the same have gained relief.

minimus

I know of someone who regularly overdrinks, takes her son's adderall and goes to bars, loses sense of time and perhaps gets involved in risky behavior, but doesn't remember certain things.

Barbie Doll

NO way.

avishai

Bigmouth, i hear what you're saying, seems weird to me, too, but there's other meds that do the same thing, only they cause compulsive gambling.

bigmouth

You're right Avishai, it comes from being one number wrong on your Lotto ticket! ;)

But seriously I've seen bipolar people go crazy with gambling, sex and booze and bitterly regretting it when they come down. Usually it's when they stop their meds or they're being weaned off one to go to another.

I guess everybody has a bit of innate addiction that can go a bit haywire under the wrong conditions.

kwr

You are NOT supposed to drink alcohol when you are on anti-depressants. Alcohol is a depressant.

avishai

uhh, yeah, we covered that.

avishai

One more quick caveat, however, DO NOT go off your antidepressants w/out first consulting a doctor!

Maddie

I am an alcoholic in recovery for over 10 years and take Paxil and have done for many years. Paxil has never caused me to crave alcohol.

Maddie

jacethespace

Been on a number of antidepresents from about the second year i was involved with the watchtower [funny that] about 8-9 years now.

Alcohol and antidepressants, Anyone had this problem?

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