Could alcohol be affecting how sertraline works and my mood?

[WellINeverKnewThat1]

NC for this post.

I have been on sertraline for over 5.5 years. I went up to 100mg last year. I’ve been feeling pretty low recently which has been exacerbated by a relationship break-up and I’ve been thinking about giving up alcohol just to see how I feel etc.

I have literally just discovered that the NHS doesn’t recommend that you drink whilst taking this drug?!?! I honestly had no clue.

I do think I have drifted into drinking too much. I don’t feel dependent on it by any means but for example this week:

Monday - 2 x 200ml bottles of prosecco (with a friend)
Tuesday - 2 x medium glasses of wine (at home alone)
Wednesday - I met some friends so had just shy of a bottle of Prosecco
Thursday - a glass of wine I think (at home alone)
Friday - went out, had a medium glass of wine and 3 cocktails
Yesterday - a glass of prosecco
Today - 3 x glasses of Prosecco in the pub with a friend and a glass of wine at home

Now I’ve written it out, that’s actually quite a lot isn’t it? And could this be a reason why I am feeling pretty shit most of the time?

And that’s why your depression isn’t getting any better. I wish GPs would tell people not to drink on anti-depressants it’s not your fault they just hand them over to easily without actually asking important questions like this. If you had known you’d of started to feel better a long time ago. swap it for water & a nice little walk now the weathers improved it will do you the world of good once the acohol is out of your system. Good luck

Would it not be written on the label on the front of the box too from the pharmacy?

I don’t take anti depressants but alcohol does effect my mood; especially Prosecco which I see you drink - it makes me feel low especially the next day. Also more than one large glass of wine wakes me in the night. I never found this in my 20s but in my 30s it does.

I think the problem is you drink while socialising. The socialising =good- you don't want to be isolated but the drinking =bad. Have you told your friends? Are they drinking what you are drinking? It may be that you think they are matching you but they are too polite to tell you you're drinking too much. I wouldn't have been able to go out and drink that much in my 30's with my friends as we all had jobs we wanted to keep! Definitely cut it out when at home. Maybe switch to alcohol free in between (not wine it's disgusting)

I believe it’s recommended you don’t drink on it, but yes, even without the sertraline, that much alcohol will be making you feel anxious and depressed.

I cannot recommend enough stopping drinking. I stopped 3 years ago. Also used to be on sertraline. I cannot tell you the difference in my mental health, even with all sorts of bad things happening to me. I sleep so much better. Feel so much better. I think it’s shocking that GPs will plop people on antidepressants and not actually even mention changing lifestyle factors that are making them depressed.

And they’ve also only had 2 long-term reviews with me during the 5.5 years of taking it. Maybe I should have a chat with them.

Perhaps it is worth a medic reviewing if you still have signs and symptoms of a clinical depression which need specifically treating with medication. For some people, the problem can be more related to stress (various factors) anxiety and similar difficulties.

even with depression, practical strategies and/ or talking therapy may be more effective than medication, or to use alongside medication.

you identified yourself for example you are possibly dehydrated. Might be worth considering other basic needs - is your diet good, are you exercising, do you take time to rest and relax? Do you study/work or have other meaningful activity and routine? Do you have other health problems you need to address?

No need to answer on the thread, but it is worth considering if a medication isn’t working, are there other factors to be taken into account. it isn’t always a case of needing the dose increased.

Alcohol has a depressant effect. And you are taking an anti-depressant
Not too sure what you were expecting. Necking loads of alcohol will of course affect the medication’s efficacy.
If you are serious about kicking your depression, stop drinking.

Well done for noticing the link and then realising the amount you are drinking. It is hard to look at yourself and think this isn't right.

I would definitely book a Drs review or go and have a chat with the pharmacist about it. Cutting the alcohol right back would be a good start, but remember you might not feel positive effects immediately so don't be disheartened and give up.

Could you switch to something alcohol free when socialising on some occasions? I appreciate a drink feels good when socialising but with how often you do (I am jealous!) it soon adds up.

I really fancied a drink tonight, but I’ve stayed strong and resisted…