Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 26, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) 17 hours ago, Locuststar said: Has anyone experienced anything similar? Is this alcoholism or just drug induced? See this: https://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink/ Many alcoholic drinks are also high in sugar: sugar-cravings-sweets-chocolate-carbs-etc Edited February 26, 2019 by ChessieCat NEW!!! INTERVIEW with Altostrata, SA's founder NEW!!! REMINDER TO SELF: I don't need the drug now, but my still brain does. Current from 9 Jan 2021: Pristiq 0.405 mg ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering Oct 2015 My tapering program My Intro (goes to my tapering graph) My website PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites
Locuststar Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 hours ago, ChessieCat said: See this: https://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink/ Many alcoholic drinks are also high in sugar: sugar-cravings-sweets-chocolate-carbs-etc Thank for the links! This is very interesting and I suspect this is one explanation for my binge drinking 5-6 years ago. On 4/1/2016 at 1:12 AM, brassmonkey said: Hi tinker-- Drinking while taking ADs is not a good idea. Been there, done that, almost destroyed my life. There are several things to keep in mind, the first as CC pointed out is the interaction between the drug and alcohol. Frequently the drug will intensify the effects of the alcohol while the alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of the drug. The drug can mask the negative effects of alcohol such as the hangover or the realization that you've had too much. The drugs also lower ones inhibitions and dull ones common sense leading to risky activities and binging. And the big one is that many of these drugs actually increase a persons craving for alcohol to an extreme extent, making it very easy to consume way more than what is healthy or polite. Once a person is tapering off of these drugs and is having WD symptoms the whole thing can switch very quickly. To the point that one can of beer or glass of wine can give you the hangover from h*** for several weeks and set off a bad wave of WD symptoms. We have a large number of members that have experienced this first hand. So after all of that the short answer is: Don't do it. I guess the whole thing can switch if you have big dose changes also? One major updose caused cravings for me but I could not tolerate alcohol when I tried to drink... So I got the cravings without the relief. 2000-2008 Citalopram 20-40 mg, May 2008 switched from Citalopram to Sertraline/Zoloft 50 mg, 100 mg at most. 2000-2013 Benzos on and off (Diazepam, Xanax, Oxazepam), quit due to overuse. Quit alcohol February 2014. Jan - 17 Theralene, Nozinan and Promethazine as needed for sleep/anxiety. Quit the Nozinan immediately because of feeling hungover June -17: Dropped Sertraline by myself from 50mg to 25mg. Aug -17: reinstated Sertraline to 50mg, after 3 days increased to 75mg. Sep -17: Adverse reaction/panic attack and doctors increased Sertraline to 100mg. Oct -17: tapered to 75mg by myself because of side effects Dec-17: Doctor added Mirtazapine, 15mg for two weeks, then 30mg. Feb 10 -18: Dropped Sertraline (doctor´s suggestion) to 50 mg because of emotional numbness March 8 -18 Reinstated (with doctor´s consent) to 75 mg because of panic attacks/withdrawal syndrom Tapering Mirtazapine: Starting dose 30 mg, 2018 May 29 22,5 mg, August 23 19,1 mg, October 8 15 mg, October 28 11 mg, November 26 7,5 mg Tapering Sertraline: Starting dose 75 mg, 2018 June 30 65 mg, August 5 60 mg, September 15 55 mg, December 27 50 mg, 2019 February 27 Updose 55 mg and holding... Supplements: Brain Oil (Fish Oil, MCT Oil), Omega 3, Magnesium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3K2,, Vitamin C, Betaine, GABA, Coenzym Q10 Link to post Share on other sites
Bee5 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a clear answer. I just know that alcohol works on the GABA receptors, so it has an influence on neurotransmitters and/or their activity. I am steering completely clear of alcohol during my taper, which is planned for the next few years. I will make an exception for a wedding or a milestone birthday, but even there I will not get drunk. Drinking has sent me into an anxiety spiral recently (New Years) so I'm not touching it for a while. 7 months of polypharmacy in 2015-2016, including at least 4 classes of psych meds. 1st attempt at taper was too fast. 2nd attempt is underway. 1 Mar 2018: 37.5 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 300 mg quetiapine 25 Mar 2020: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 62.5 mg quetiapine 10 June 2020: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 50 mg quetiapine 1 Oct 2020: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 37.5 mg quetiapine 1 Dec 2020: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 31.25 mg quetiapine 1 Jan 2021: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 25 mg quetiapine Supplements: Vit D3, Vit B complex, iron. I am not a medical professional. All my posts are my opinions only, based on my experiences. Link to post Share on other sites
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 On 4/19/2012 at 5:10 PM, drb said: Hello people- On David Healy's blog there's a post by Anne-Marie: http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink In this she explains, in short, that SSRI-medications (paroxetine, citalopram for her part) can cause intense craving for alcohol in a person who earlier had not had an alcohol problem. How common is this problem? How have people come to grips with it? I had to quit prozac for this exact reason. Was drinking all day every day. Could not stop..... -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to post Share on other sites
SkyStreamer Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. 09/2011- 01/2014: 10mg Cipralex / 02/2014: increased to 15mg Cipralex 02/2014 - 10/2016: 15mg Cipralex / 11/2016: reduced to 12.5mg Cipralex (over 2 weeks) 12/2016: reduced to 10mg Cipralex (over 2 weeks) / 01/2017 - 09/2018: 10mg Cipralex 10/2018 - 11/2018: reduced gradually to 7.5mg Cipralex / 12/2018: found SA & first learned about the 10% taper method 01/2019 - 07/2019: held (lots of physical & psychological wd symptoms) 07/19/2019: 7.3mg Cipralex / 08/19/2019: 7.2mg / 09/08/2019: 7.0mg / 09/29/2019: 6.9mg / 03/25/2020: 6.7mg 04/16/2020: 6.6mg (0.084) / 05/10/2020: 6.5mg (0.083) / 06/01/2020: 6.4mg (0.081) / 07/12/2020: 6.3mg (0.079-0.080) 07/26/2020: 6.2mg (0.078-0.0.79) / 09/07/2020: 6.1mg (0.077-0.0.78) / 10/06/2020: 6.0 mg (0.076-0.0.77) / 10/27/2020: 5.9 mg (0.075-0.0.76) / 11/30/2020: 5.8 mg (0.073-0.74) Please Note: I am not a medical professional. Consult a knowledgeable medical professional when making decisions about your medical care. Link to post Share on other sites
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 15 minutes ago, SkyStreamer said: Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. 15 minutes ago, SkyStreamer said: Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. On 4/19/2012 at 5:10 PM, drb said: Hello people- On David Healy's blog there's a post by Anne-Marie: http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink In this she explains, in short, that SSRI-medications (paroxetine, citalopram for her part) can cause intense craving for alcohol in a person who earlier had not had an alcohol problem. How common is this problem? How have people come to grips with it? I had to quit prozac for this exact reason. Was drinking all day every day. Could not stop..... -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to post Share on other sites
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 I'll have a listen before bed tonight. Tx -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to post Share on other sites
Meeto Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Can eating food cooked with beer have an affect on symptoms? I may have eaten some steak that was grilled with a little bit of beer. I feel like I’m back in acute, but was also starting to feel a decline a few weeks prior to this incident. I’m not sure what caused it, or if it’s just a wave. Lexapro 1/17 - 3/17 10 mg. Switched to Elavil 3/27/17 10 mg Upped to 20 mg June 5, 2017 3 days, back down to 10mg June 8 Up again to 20 mg June 12, 2017 4 days, back down to 10 June 16 9/17 dropped to 9.5 mg 11/17 dropped to 9.3mg 2/18/17 dropped to 8.8 mg February 14/2018 Adverse reaction to zofran pill at clinic 10/7/19 8.48 mg 12/22/19 7.3 mg 2/7/20 6.5 mg 5/23/20 5.84 Link to post Share on other sites
Slim Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Alcohol cravings Did anyone find that alcohol cravings increased or even went off the charts while on ADs? An interesting article on Risk.org highlights this situation and many people commented that they had the same reaction. Edited December 16, 2020 by ChessieCat added topic title Link to post Share on other sites
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted December 16, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 16, 2020 I've done a search for the word craving in this topic and this is the link to the results. NEW!!! INTERVIEW with Altostrata, SA's founder NEW!!! REMINDER TO SELF: I don't need the drug now, but my still brain does. Current from 9 Jan 2021: Pristiq 0.405 mg ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering Oct 2015 My tapering program My Intro (goes to my tapering graph) My website PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites
UnfoldingSky Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 On 10/10/2019 at 9:06 AM, Meeto said: Can eating food cooked with beer have an affect on symptoms? I may have eaten some steak that was grilled with a little bit of beer. I feel like I’m back in acute, but was also starting to feel a decline a few weeks prior to this incident. I’m not sure what caused it, or if it’s just a wave. Not sure how you are doing now but if the alcohol was cooked it changes the nature of the alcohol so it should be fine. I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to post Share on other sites
UnfoldingSky Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 6 hours ago, Slim said: Alcohol cravings Did anyone find that alcohol cravings increased or even went off the charts while on ADs? An interesting article on Risk.org highlights this situation and many people commented that they had the same reaction. This is a known effect of a number of antidepressants. There have been cases of people who didn't drink starting the drugs, who then go on to become serious alcoholics and then "coincidentally" when they finally get off the pills, they no longer have any cravings for alcohol at all. I was never big into drinking I got weird effects if I mixed enough alcohol with Celexa. My face would break out in tiny broken blood vessels. The first time it happened I woke up and saw my face and I was sure it was going to be stuck like that lol I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to post Share on other sites
Kindler Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 I had a small beer last night, 1st time in weeks. Feel ok today, but noticed a herbal tea revved me up a bit. I'm already very sensitive, just wondering if alcohol would make me more sensitive? I'm not planning on hitting the bottle, just curious really 2006 - 2009 20mg Citalopram fast taper, 2011 - 2016 40mg Citalopram fast taper, June 2016 10mg Valium 1 month CTJan 2018 40mg Citalopram, Feb 2019 cymbalta for pain - too many side effects, April - 10mg Valium for 1 month- made me depressed stopped CT, July - 0.5mg of Xanax + Prozac, bad reaction stopped after 6 weeks CT, Sept - 14 days Ativan CT October 2019 - 5mg Valium + 10mg Citalopram, too much, December 2019 - CT Citalopram, February 2020 - reinstate 5mg Citalopram April 2020 Stopped Valium CT, sart May tried to increase Citalopram to 10mg, think I OD'd 22 June ER visit tried to reinstate Valium, paradoxical 2 failed attempts to reinstate Citalopram 1mg and 0.5mg 20 Oct CBD oil - wave, 27 Oct 10mg trimipramine BAD IDEA Link to post Share on other sites
Onmyway Posted Tuesday at 12:09 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 12:09 PM Kindler, alcohol is generally not a good idea in withdrawal and has been known to set people back. It really is best not to experiment with it but up to you. I've had severe dizziness from tiny amounts of alcohol in WD. Be well Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg , xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months (don't remember dates), trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up), occasionally did this in difficult times September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax/day, then 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week, April 14 , 2019 - citalopram 1.8 mg (liquid), May 8, 2019 - citalopram 1.6 mg (liquid), July 27, 2019 - citalopram 1.5 mg (liquid), August 15, 2019 - citalopram 1.35 (liquid) supplements: melatonin 1 mg Link to post Share on other sites
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