To drink alcohol whilst on antidepressants?

[greatbigbushybeard]

Well just that really! I haven’t & I do miss it. Perhaps i’m being too strict & overthinking it. Just wondering what others do. I was always a social drinker before but quite a lightweight! I miss my weekend drink!

The issue isn't whether or not you should mix alcohol and anti depressants--although with some of them, this is a really bad idea. The main issue is that alcohol is a depressant. It makes you depressed. So if you're taking anti depressants, and drinking alcohol, you won't get to feel the benefit of the anti depressants.

If you're depressed, don't drink. I know it can be difficult, but it really will help you feel better if you stop drinking alcohol completely.

I know that sertraline is fine with alcohol

I'm on sertaline as well and have had no issues having a few drinks either.

So if you're taking anti depressants, and drinking alcohol, you won't get to feel the benefit of the anti depressants

I'm taking anti-depressants for anxiety and they're working really well, even though I still drink a bit.

What are you taking ? The psychiatrists etc I have spoken to have all said the odd glass would be ok but yes that it is a depressant & works on the sane receptors of your brain. As with all things st the moment I am overthinking it. I haven’t been drinking really at all since I’ve been on ADs & I feel so abnormal. I used to have a drink as a treat/ reward/ wind down & socially. It seems that all your friends are drinking, sending pics of themselves with cold beers/ pimms in garden etc or saying wine o clock when the kids are annoying them. I’m also not really drinking caffeinated tea/ coffee so it’s not like I can replace it with s nice cuppa. I feel like my pleasures have gone. God, sorry that is a bit woe is me!

I'm taking fluoxetine 20mg. Many years ago when I was very depressed I took fluoxetine and I did give up alcohol that time, and it did help. But I had been drinking far too much alcohol fairly regularly, so it did me no harm to cut it out.

This time it was really anxiety that was my issue, and I was pretty sure the fluoxetine would help again, and it really has made a huge difference. I also don't really drink tea or coffee, and I don't drink more than a few alcoholic drinks at any time, so I thought I'd carry on drinking the amount I drink normally anyway, and see if the meds made the difference.

Sometimes it's hard to know what is the right thing to do.

Sorry, late reply!

The psych told me (after I'd been on it for a while!) That the effect of alcohol is triples while on duoloxetine. Which made sense as I did feel I was getting drunk much more easily.

After I came off it I read a few patient forums that talked about the 'alcoholism' that it induces - some find they crave alcohol more.

Either way, alcohol definitely is a depressant and taking antidepressnts can only do so much to offset that.
I would suggest keeping a daily diary of feelings if you're not already and noting when you drank alcohol so you can track impact on mood.

I’m trying knock drinking on the head at the moment as I’ve become pyschologically dependent on it over a long time.
I am also taking ADs (sertraline)
The ADs were not working so I have to stop drinking and get myself healthy again

I know it seems hard when it seems like everyone else is knocking it back like billy-o
So my plan is to introduce some other treats for myself & just be nice to myself

Feeling better already good luck OP

I choose not to drink on mine as I find 3/4 days later I get REALLY down. For me, it's just not worth it.
If the Docs have said it's your decision, you could just take it easy and see how you get on. Might be worth asking someone you trust to keep an eye out for you both while you drink and a few days later in case you go on a downward spiral and need support to get back on an even keel.