Drinking while on anti-depressants?

weastcoat

weastcoat

Active member
How dangerous is it actually? I’ve done it in the past. Number of brews maybe one weekend a month. I was on a super low dosage of Prozac tho, only 10mg. Never noticed anything, if anything I would get a little sick at the end of the night.

Anyone ever have a higher dosage and still drink on the regular as in like once a week? I need to get back on some sort of SSRI with definitely a higher dosage; I’ve been looking into trazadone, but I know there’s a stigma of danger surrounding the mixture of alcohol and SSRI’s. However I also need to enjoy myself on the weekends with friends to keep a level of happiness and have a stress relief, so I’m kinda in a pickle? Or can I get by?
 
I know NS isn’t the place to ask this but I can’t see my dr for a minute and just wanna see if anyone’s had any experience
 
Prozac and alcohol are processed by the same liver enzyme. Taking them both will cause the two substances to stay in your system longer than they otherwise would. It's quite common for people to get more trashed off of less drinks while on SSRI's, which is probably why you felt a bit of nausea. You should be relatively fine though as long as you don't go overboard with drinks in a night

The real dangerous substance combination when it comes to SSRI's is MDMA. if you take MDMA while on SSRI's you are at a high risk of developing serotonin syndrome, which can be quite dangerous. You'd need multiple weeks off of SSRI's to do it safely
 
I agree with rparr you’re probably fine, unless your drinking is a reaction to your mood rather just for fun. The real danger is with benzo’s like Xanax, don’t do that

**This post was edited on Oct 9th 2022 at 7:26:50pm
 
You'll be fine if just on ssris; I'd bet over half the people you see in bars are on antidepressants of some sort. Take it slow and see how you feel. As the guy above me said, you gotta be more careful with drugs that act on serotonin receptors. Mushrooms and LSD also in this category.

I'd be a bit cautious drinking if you're on trazodone though since it's more than just serotonin.
 
14468454:Rparr said:
Prozac and alcohol are processed by the same liver enzyme. Taking them both will cause the two substances to stay in your system longer than they otherwise would. It's quite common for people to get more trashed off of less drinks while on SSRI's, which is probably why you felt a bit of nausea. You should be relatively fine though as long as you don't go overboard with drinks in a night

The real dangerous substance combination when it comes to SSRI's is MDMA. if you take MDMA while on SSRI's you are at a high risk of developing serotonin syndrome, which can be quite dangerous. You'd need multiple weeks off of SSRI's to do it safely
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14468457:Phlebotomist_ said:
I agree with rparr you’re probably fine, unless your drinking is a reaction to your mood rather just for fun. The real danger is with benzo’s like Xanax, don’t do that

**This post was edited on Oct 9th 2022 at 7:26:50pm
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14468459:Word_of_the_Lord said:
You'll be fine if just on ssris; I'd bet over half the people you see in bars are on antidepressants of some sort. Take it slow and see how you feel. As the guy above me said, you gotta be more careful with drugs that act on serotonin receptors. Mushrooms and LSD also in this category.

I'd be a bit cautious drinking if you're on trazodone though since it's more than just serotonin.
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Damn I must come off as some strung out druggie.

Jkjk I won’t walk near that shit so looks like I’ll be find in that aspect but thanks fellas.
 
I'm currently on a couple medications for mental health / ADHD, and have noticed that if I want to have a beverage, if I stick to beer and no hard alcohol, and have moderation, things don't seem to feel thrown off too bad. Research I've done says to wait at least 4-6 hours after taking meds if you're going to drink. Also this episode of Huberman was really informative.

 
I guess it depends what you’re talking about when it comes to drinking. Like has been said before yeah you’ll get fucked up faster it will sneak up on you etc but —- in my opinion it’s like stepping on the gas pedal for things that hit alcoholics later in life. Also if you’re going to drink a lot often you might as well not bother taking depression meds it ain’t gonna help until you get your drinking under control. But once in a while like anything who cares humans are tough
 
Sorry if this isn’t helpful but its totally possible to be happy and sustain a level of excitement in your life without drinking alcohol just saying

good luck tho
 
14468501:Casey said:
I guess it depends what you’re talking about when it comes to drinking. Like has been said before yeah you’ll get fucked up faster it will sneak up on you etc but —- in my opinion it’s like stepping on the gas pedal for things that hit alcoholics later in life. Also if you’re going to drink a lot often you might as well not bother taking depression meds it ain’t gonna help until you get your drinking under control. But once in a while like anything who cares humans are tough
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14468506:twinkle_toes said:
Sorry if this isn’t helpful but its totally possible to be happy and sustain a level of excitement in your life without drinking alcohol just saying

good luck tho
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I definitely don’t depend on it. I’ve gone months and months without having a drink and haven’t felt a craving for it. Now that I’m at school Maybe crack a good handful on Friday and Saturday night if I have any in the fridge. If I don’t have any or I’m running low on money then so be it. Go out with friends to parties or functions maybe every 3 weekends.

So I guess it’s not drinking a lot but it’s definitely apart of my lifestyle, I’m always happiest when I’m out there with my friends and some others putting some brews down. Sober nights alone fuck with my head too much. Just don’t wanna lose those super good nights I’ll have with my friends once or twice a month.
 
14468509:weatcoast said:
Just don’t wanna lose those super good nights I’ll have with my friends once or twice a month.
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The older you get the more you’ll realize it’s more about the people around you on those nights than whatever substances you may be indulging in. You sound like you know what is and isn’t a reasonable level though, I’m not worried about ya

I used to do nearly every drug under the sun, frankly. After years of exhaustion and losing too many loved ones to it I decided enough was enough and I’ve been as sober as a monk for almost a couple years now. I never thought I would be happy sober but here I am
 
14468513:Rparr said:
I used to do nearly every drug under the sun, frankly. After years of exhaustion and losing too many loved ones to it I decided enough was enough and I’ve been as sober as a monk for almost a couple years now. I never thought I would be happy sober but here I am
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big respect my guy. Gotta let me know when you’re sliding to springs this year.
 
I would try to stay off SSRIs if possible. Try taking some 5-HTP for a while first. Its the building blocks of serotonin and better for you than the prescription drugs. That being said, I have heard drinking while taking 5-HTP is not good.
 
14468513:Rparr said:
The older you get the more you’ll realize it’s more about the people around you on those nights than whatever substances you may be indulging in. You sound like you know what is and isn’t a reasonable level though, I’m not worried about ya

I used to do nearly every drug under the sun, frankly. After years of exhaustion and losing too many loved ones to it I decided enough was enough and I’ve been as sober as a monk for almost a couple years now. I never thought I would be happy sober but here I am
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I feel you on this. That is the thing about drugs, the thrill of it is soon overshadowed by the grim meat hook realities of the consequences. Eventually you see a few friends fuck their lives up and decide you have rolled the dice enough times and walk away from the table.
 
Yeah I'm on antidepressants as well and really considering going completely sober. I already decided to quit weed, and this thread is making me think about quitting drinking as well. not good for my mental health.
 
I can see why you'd need anti depressants if you didn't drink...

But if you do drink why would you need anti depressants?
 
14468948:VTshredder69 said:
I can see why you'd need anti depressants if you didn't drink...

But if you do drink why would you need anti depressants?
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Going out and socializing with the homies every couple weekends isn’t a cure-all and only keeps my spirit up for a day or 2.
 
14468952:weatcoast said:
Going out and socializing with the homies every couple weekends isn’t a cure-all and only keeps my spirit up for a day or 2.
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No but drinking every day is!

Nah sorry i'm trolling, butthere was a time when I drank every day. Now it's only like 4 times a week. Much better and healthier.
 
14468967:VTshredder69 said:
No but drinking every day is!

Nah sorry i'm trolling, butthere was a time when I drank every day. Now it's only like 4 times a week. Much better and healthier.
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In all seriousness I am appalled as to how people drink every day. Financially, physically, and mentally draining
 
14469042:weatcoast said:
In all seriousness I am appalled as to how people drink every day. Financially, physically, and mentally draining
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Meh. Do you but who has time to be "appalled" by other people?
 
14469042:weatcoast said:
In all seriousness I am appalled as to how people drink every day. Financially, physically, and mentally draining
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I mean whats wrong with having a few beers or 8 every night if you're still able to get up and work in the morning.

only the strong can accomplish something like this.
 
14469117:VTshredder69 said:
I mean whats wrong with having a few beers or 8 every night if you're still able to get up and work in the morning.

only the strong can accomplish something like this.
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Oh look, the unaccomplished, angry white incel who uses social media for his news drinks every night!

I'M JUST SHOCKED!
 
14469134:skierman said:
Oh look, the unaccomplished, angry white incel who uses social media for his news drinks every night!

I'M JUST SHOCKED!
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Yea except I have a CPA license. So that's probably more accomplished than you...

breaking-bad-walter-white.gif
 
14469137:VTshredder69 said:
Yea except I have a CPA license. So that's probably more accomplished than you...

breaking-bad-walter-white.gif
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LOL yeah, that CPA makes up for your being a pathetic fuck that drinks every night and uses social media to form his shitty views.
 
14469138:skierman said:
LOL yeah, that CPA makes up for your being a pathetic fuck that drinks every night and uses social media to form his shitty views.
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So bitter dude.

tearing others down will never build yourself up
 
14469138:skierman said:
LOL yeah, that CPA makes up for your being a pathetic fuck that drinks every night and uses social media to form his shitty views.
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The party of "tolerance"

Doing your party well man.

HAHAHA
 
14469148:VTshredder69 said:
BAHAHAHA

Everyone was thinking it. I just said it.
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LOL yeah man, wasting hours of your time sending out dozens of 3rd grade insult PMs with multiple fake accounts. Keep on being a pathetic drunk, you dumb fuck.
 
14469149:skierman said:
LOL yeah man, wasting hours of your time sending out dozens of 3rd grade insult PMs with multiple fake accounts. Keep on being a pathetic drunk, you dumb fuck.
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WASTING HOURS AND SENDING DOZENS OF 3RD GRADE PMS

Lol says the dude arguing with an internet troll.

I'm dumb cuz i have a professional license,

you're dumb cuz you're angry about it
 
14469042:weatcoast said:
In all seriousness I am appalled as to how people drink every day. Financially, physically, and mentally draining
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It’s pretty addictive idk if that’s news to you or something. People will learn to cope with things they can’t deal with one way or another
 
How's your bladder control?

I went to uni with a girl on antidepressants and the one time she drank she got sloppy drunk, passed out early on the couch in our dorm and pissed herself (and we're talking pre drinking early, she didn't even make it to the party). We were stuck with the piss-soaked couch for weeks before we finally stuck it in the elevator and pressed all the buttons to send it away. I don't actually know where it ended up but she was basically a pariah the rest of the year.

I would have thought it was a fluke, but I have a coworker on antidepressants who decided to drink last patrol. He also wound up getting sloppy drunk and pissed in the trash bin in our galley. That wasn't a popular move, but since we're not 18 any longer people are a little more forgiving (or at least have been so far, that could change if management finds out). I get that peeing in a trash bin may be funny at a frat party, but it's a lot less so when it's a man in his 30s at a government workplace and you're desperately trying to get him to bed before the cook gets up in an hour to start preparing breakfast.

So although I'm not sure of any long-term physical consequences, from my experience drinking on antidepressants is at a 0/2 for being a good decision.
 
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