alcohol & antidepressants

My boyfriend suffers from depression and was recently given permission by one of his doctors to comsume alcohol again after being alcohol free for 8 1/2 years. He used to have a problem with alcohol and even went to AA Meetings. My question is how does alcohol effect antidepressants? Does it hender the meds he is on? Are there studies I can print out for him to look at, so he's not "taking my word for it"?

[whodunnit]

Hi there,

Using alcohol whilst on anti depressants is a sure way to make certain the treatment is ineffective.

In your boyfriend's case you say he is an alcoholic. Indicated by attendance at AA meetings. If you have been an alcoholic then one drink is too many, for life. Sorry but that's how it goes.

The doctor you mention should be shot as far as I am concerned. Many docs and shrinks will refuse to treat people for depression if they have chronic alcohol or other substance problems so how this doc can virtually encourage someone to drink is beyond my comprehension.

Frankly it sounds like your boyfriend is lying to you as I cannot imagine a doctor saying what you report.

Google "antidepressants and alcohol" and you'll find the statements you need to print out.

Some say it's OK to have the "occasional" drink but alcoholics don't take an "occasional" drink. If they take one a thousand may not be enough. It's all or nothing for such drinkers. I was one and haven't touched a drop for just on 10 years now. I don't miss it at all. Truly, but I had to decide back then. Booze or meds and better results for my illness. I chose the second.

[Hensley258]

My experience with alcohol and my antidepressants was sort of weird.
I have been taking antidepressants for Major depression since I was 23.

Back then I used to party alot and drink a lot and I was on some pretty high dosages of antidepressants. Back then it honestly never caused my meds not to work or my depression to get worse.

Once I hit age 34 then I had to slow down the drinking because I could tell it was effecting my meds and my condition.

Maybe just because I was so young would be the reason for that.

As every doctor will say "never drink if you have major depression and take antidepressants." They are right because it can adversly effect the meds in some people.

I am shocked that this doctor said it was ok to do that. Second fact is that he has a former abuse problem with alcohol which is even more reason he should not drink.

I'm on a lot of meds and I enjoy a rum an coke now and then, but all in moderation.

[veggielover]

I've talked to my doctor about drinking with antidepressants. She didn't say anything about it affecting the medicine, but the medicine affects the alcohol. Say you have 1 drink while on the meds, its like having 2 drinks. Having 2 drinks is like having 4 drinks. Basically it increases the alcohol level, that is all I've heard. So tell your boyfriend to be careful if he wants to drink. Start off slow with just a drink, see how he feels.

[opus88]

yes it INCREASES the alcohol effect and DECREASES the medication effect.
two choices here either drink or take meds....not both or whats the point?
I think his doctor must also be an alcoholic to give that sort of advice.

[narla]

I have been on antidepressants for 15 years and drank alcohol with them,my body got used to the abuse so I didn't get an increased effect,Yes I now admit I'm an alcoholic even though I could stop drinking through both my pregnancies the minute I had 1 drink again it led to once a week then twice a week then before you know it it's every day.I've now been alcohol free for 39 days and counting.I had to stop because I now have liver damage so I don't know how any doctor can say it's okay.

[birdie0907]

Drinking and taking these meds
Sep 21, 2009 10:10PM - 0 comments - (Public)

by Roger Gould, M.D., 12 hours ago
To: raniol
It is always recommended that you be very careful with alcohol and these medications.  Everyone responds differently so you can not generalize about specific medications so the best you can do is abstain or drink very likely, and when you do,monitor the effect on you.   You are much better off increasing the dose of the medication and stopping the alcohol if you are using alcohol as a stop gap medication for anxiety.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Mental-Health/Celexa--Alcohol/show/1055180?personal_page_id=308570