Can't handle alcohol anymore...

[lindsay0891]

Hi. I'm only 22 and have struggled with a lot of symptoms in the past year, found out most of them were caused by anxiety and depression. Before I got sick, I could drink a lot and would get drunk but never feel BAD, then after I got sick I stopped drinking because I never felt like it. In early March I had 2 small glasses of wine, with food and a lot of water, and it just made me feel very tired, lightheaded, and sick to my stomach. The next day I felt horrible. Last night I had a little over half a beer and it made me feel the same way, just feeling bad all over. Even today I feel kind of spaced out and nauseous. I know it's not good to drink alcohol anyway but I just wonder, why I am I like this when I used to be able to handle alcohol well? I am on Zoloft but I wasn't in March when I had the same reaction.

[silverfox67]

I can't drink anymore either.  I used to be able to handle three or four screwdrivers without any problem.  Now if I drink 1/2 a beer I get tipsy and sometimes sick to my stomach.  I drink one margarita a year (during vacation) - that's all I can handle and for some reason it doesn't make me sick.  Maybe because it's mostly grapefruit juice?  Anyway,  I'm with you - I can't tolerate alcohol.  - I think it's like when you stop smoking, you become allergic to the substance.  Why?  I don't think anyone has the answer to that.  Just your body telling you it's not gonna take it anymore.  

[lindsay0891]

I didn't get alcohol poisoning from HALF A BEER and who said anything about stopping antidepressants? Zoloft gave me my life back, I don't care about drinking I just wondered why I seem to have developed an alcohol intolerance. Seriously these replies are making it look like I want to just get wasted every day for the rest of my life... no.

[snoopy460]

Could be alcohol poisoning. Had a friend about your age that when she had a few beers she passed out and got really sick shortly after drinking. It almost killed her. She also was on anti-depressants and the doctors told her they enhance the level of alcohol in the body after drinking. It scared enough to realize her life is more important then being a social drinker.
You may feel more depressed, your alertness may be impaired. Don't stop taking an anti-depressant or other medication just so that you can drink.  It's best not to drink at all if you're depressed, but it may be OK to have an occasional drink depending on your particular situation, ask your doctor.

[lindsay0891]

Thank you but I really don't drink, I had half of a beer and the question was why my body can't handle alcohol anymore. I don't plan on drinking on a regular basis or anything, it's just puzzling because I used to be able to handle it and now I can't.
For any future responders, the question was not whether or not I should be drinking, I know alcohol is not a good thing to drink. I just want to know why it's making my body react in this way.

[BluCrystal]

Hi Lindsay.  It is never a good idea to drink any amount of alcohol while taking antidepressants anyway.  Please stop drinking.  See your doctor, so you can be sure that you are on the correct medicinal regimen.  And come back here to tell us how you are doing! :-)  Blessings - Blu