Is it possible for your antidepressant to loose its effects if you consume alcohol on a daily basis? Even just a small amount of alcohol to relax at the end of the day???

Hi Pamela12, :wave:

You bring forward a very interesting question. I personally would like to see a study on that. I am not saying this to sound mean or uncompassionate but perhaps whoever this is and I am assuming it’s you should ask the doctors for an additional drugs to relax at night instead of taking alcohol. I know I don’t have to tell you this but alcohol is a drug and depressant and lastly and more importantly addictive. I am sorry if I come across as rude or uncompassionate but I have seen other addictive substances do things like this to people and cause them risks. I’m no saint and did that to myself too. I’ve seen smokers as well who all the way until the last stages of life go in asking for help and later continue wile on oxygen risking themselves family and homes in an explosion. They go in saying they are suffocating and want help yet the addiction counters everything to make them better. You need to talk to your doctor about this friend. Let them find a controlled drug to relax at night that works with your meds.

Good Luck and God Bless

John

Hi John,
Thank's for the advice. Yes, it was me who I was referring to. There for awhile I had gotten into a regular routine of having a glass of red wine in the evenings and really looked forward to it. I LOVE red wine and I thought just one or two glasses couldn't possibly affect the effects of my antidepressant, Celexa. But, as I went on in this routine, I noticed my meds seemed to be fading and I was becoming very depressed. I still don't know if it was truly the wine every evening or if my meds are just not working for me any longer... Hmmmm....

Hi Pamela! :wave:
I am on Celexa 40mg too. The reason I abstain from alcohol is that it is highly addictive for me. Even a moderate amount seems to negate the effectivness of meds for me. I would not think that a glass or two would be a big deal, but if your medication seems to be fading you may want to find something else to help you sleep. There are a lot of great alternatives out there.

Take care. :)

Personally, I don't think anyone should drink while taking an anti-depressant, especially the SSRI's. Look on the pill bottle- it says that you should avoid taking alcohol while on the meds because it WILL affect its productivity, and may increase drowsiness already caused by the meds. Ask your doctor if it's okay to drink once in awhile, but when on anti-depressants, it's better to just abstain.
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Hi Pamela! :wave:
I am on Celexa 40mg too. The reason I abstain from alcohol is that it is highly addictive for me. Even a moderate amount seems to negate the effectivness of meds for me. I would not think that a glass or two would be a big deal, but if your medication seems to be fading you may want to find something else to help you sleep. There are a lot of great alternatives out there.

Take care. :)

I take Wellbutrin and drink on occasion. At the most, usually three and it doesn't seem to effect my medication.

My doctor said it's okay to have one or two, but the SSRI's, especially increase the effects of alcohol. A friend of mine was on paxil and when she drank, she passed out, no one could wake her up, and they thought she was dead! It was really scary. She finally quit taking the paxil because she didn't need it anymore. Actually, and I have heard this before, sometimes drugs like paxil increase one's desire for alcohol. At least it did when my friend took it.

Hi Greeneyes and thank's to everyone who is responding. I totally agree that for some reason since I have been on ADs I have really desired to drink a lot more. I wonder why that is?! And after reading over a lot of the posts on the board lately I am seriously considering weaning myself off of my meds...AGAIN! They don't seem to be working that well for me anymore anyway so I may try it again...But I am scared as the last time I tried this it was a horrible experience and I ended up back on them.I wonder now if I gave it enough time to get through the withdrawals. I have an appt with a new pyschiatrist in a couple weeks and was planning on trying a different AD. But I just cannot decide! I think I am gonna start a new thread to find out what folks think about the whole AD thing. Any input you have would be appreciated! Take care.