If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
SSRI's and Alcohol
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
This is a bit of a weird one but hopefully it can jog some peoples memories.
I've been on SSRI's for anxiety and panic for a little while now, and have continued to drink throughout the course of taking them.
I seem to remember a little while ago that it had been suggested in research that SSRI's increase the propensity of people to binge drink, but can't put my finger on where i heard it or if I am getting mixed up.
Its becoming of concern to me because i haven't been oe for binge drinking until recently, and when i go out after the first pint, i just want more. The actual desire to keep consuming alcohol is something i havent experienced before, and my personality when i am drunk is.....troubling. Not violent, or obnoxious or anything bad really, yet it does bring out something that i dont like in myself (apart from a headache).
I'm not suggesting this is completely the fault of the pills, just doing some digging really...
I've been on SSRI's for anxiety and panic for a little while now, and have continued to drink throughout the course of taking them.
I seem to remember a little while ago that it had been suggested in research that SSRI's increase the propensity of people to binge drink, but can't put my finger on where i heard it or if I am getting mixed up.
Its becoming of concern to me because i haven't been oe for binge drinking until recently, and when i go out after the first pint, i just want more. The actual desire to keep consuming alcohol is something i havent experienced before, and my personality when i am drunk is.....troubling. Not violent, or obnoxious or anything bad really, yet it does bring out something that i dont like in myself (apart from a headache).
I'm not suggesting this is completely the fault of the pills, just doing some digging really...
0
Comments
I know a few people who while students were put on SSRI's which allowed them to drink, have you asked your GP about it?
Sertraline is what I am on.
I got very drunk last November and did something extremely silly - and since then, I've hardly drank at all. I find the odd pint now and then is nice, but I can't trust myself to have my usual levels of self control.
Medication affects us all differently, so it's something you have to figure out for yourself, I guess.
I think most people find the effects of alcohol are enhanced and faster than usual!
Ive been taking Sertraline for the past 18months and if i go out and drink sensibly its fine. I can still get drunk, but i dont go and hammer a line of shots because half of it would do the job!!! you get the idea.
As it happens, recentally ive been for a drink, say at lunchtime, and REALLY want more than 1, and thats unusual for me. I dont think its the tablets though, probably just a phase!
I've been speaking to a dual diagnosis specialist, and he said the above simply isn't true.
Alcohol actually interferes with the way SSRI's work. He has worked with a lot of alcoholics who can't be treated for their depression until the cut the drinking, because the anti-d's have little or no effect. Obviously we aren't talking about drinking to the level of alcoholism here, but the point is still valid - drinking lessens or blocks the effect of SSRI's. It stands to reason that if you overdo it on a depressant, which alcohol is, and your medication doesn't work as it should, it adds up to one hell of a hangover that has potentially serious consequences on your state of mind.
Oh btw Martin, in answer to your original question, my specialist friend said he hadn't come across any research or opinion that would support that idea.
Its just me being lazy, there are a hundred pharmacology books lying around the mrs flat that would have told me that, if only I had the time
So I suppose limiting myself to a glass of wine or 1-2 tinnies isnt too bad but drinking 2 bottles of cava and 5 pints is.