[Neil932]

I have had depression for 22 years on and off, and in the past 6 years have been taking SSRI Escitalopram maintenance dose, which controls it.
At the same time I have been drinking alcohol on Saturday evenings, quite often having quite a lot of it -
This never caused my depression to relapse on the following day, so I thought it was OK to do this (because the only warnings are about alcohol with antidepressants making you drowsy or making your depression worse the following day - which didn't happen to me).

But 2 months ago I relapsed again, and it has taken me 2 months, lots of therapy, a double of the dose of the Escitalopram, a second antidepressant Mirtasapine, and a major tranquilizer to get me well again.
So I've done some more research, and wikipedia is now saying that alcohol can make the long term progress of depression worse. I didn't know this, and it wasn't there in the books 5 years ago.

So my question is whether you think I must now stop drinking to (hopefully) stop the progress of this illness, so that I can carry on with the current drugs I am taking, and not need to take still higher doses.
In fact I've stopped drinking already when the relapse happened, and have therefore been stopped for 2 months already. It is OK, but I would rather have the ability to drink, as nights out seem quite clinical and boring now compared to what they used to be.

Thanks

This post has been edited by ChrystalR: 22 January 2010 - 06:52 PM
Reason for edit: Removing details reg. alcohol

[Deepster]

' date=, on Jan 22 2010, 06:13 PM, said:

I have had depression for 22 years on and off, and in the past 6 years have been taking SSRI Escitalopram maintenance dose, which controls it.
At the same time I have been drinking alcohol on Saturday evenings, quite often having quite a lot of it - 4 pints of British lager beer.
This never caused my depression to relapse on the following day, so I thought it was OK to do this (because the only warnings are about alcohol with antidepressants making you drowsy or making your depression worse the following day - which didn't happen to me).

But 2 months ago I relapsed again, and it has taken me 2 months, lots of therapy, a double of the dose of the Escitalopram, a second antidepressant Mirtasapine, and a major tranquilizer to get me well again.
So I've done some more research, and wikipedia is now saying that alcohol can make the long term progress of depression worse. I didn't know this, and it wasn't there in the books 5 years ago.

So my question is whether you think I must now stop drinking to (hopefully) stop the progress of this illness, so that I can carry on with the current drugs I am taking, and not need to take still higher doses.
In fact I've stopped drinking already when the relapse happened, and have therefore been stopped for 2 months already. It is OK, but I would rather have the ability to drink, as nights out seem quite clinical and boring now compared to what they used to be.

Thanks

Neil932-

Alcohol is a depressant. So drinking and taking ADs is considerably diminishing, if not eliminating the desired effect of an AD. I can't say that occasional drinking would be out of the question. I know that many people on ADs do drink in moderation with no noticable consequences.

However, there is another problem with drinking while on ADs. Most, but not all ADs are processed through the liver. Alcohol is also processed through the liver. The potential for liver damage is greatly enhanced by taking most ADs while on ADs.

To those who like to drink, this can seem inconsequential. It is not, and the effects should be should be noted. Check this out with your health care provider.

Regards,
Deepster

[drewmandan]

There's no solid evidence linking moderate alcohol use with increased depression in a way that eliminates correlation/causation. In other words, the people that are destined to become depressed (for genetic or other reasons) also tend to drink alcohol. Big surprise there?

[MEZooKeeper]

Neil932, on Jan 22 2010, 07:13 PM, said:

I have had depression for 22 years on and off, and in the past 6 years have been taking SSRI Escitalopram maintenance dose, which controls it.
At the same time I have been drinking alcohol on Saturday evenings, quite often having quite a lot of it -
This never caused my depression to relapse on the following day, so I thought it was OK to do this (because the only warnings are about alcohol with antidepressants making you drowsy or making your depression worse the following day - which didn't happen to me).

But 2 months ago I relapsed again, and it has taken me 2 months, lots of therapy, a double of the dose of the Escitalopram, a second antidepressant Mirtasapine, and a major tranquilizer to get me well again.
So I've done some more research, and wikipedia is now saying that alcohol can make the long term progress of depression worse. I didn't know this, and it wasn't there in the books 5 years ago.

So my question is whether you think I must now stop drinking to (hopefully) stop the progress of this illness, so that I can carry on with the current drugs I am taking, and not need to take still higher doses.
In fact I've stopped drinking already when the relapse happened, and have therefore been stopped for 2 months already. It is OK, but I would rather have the ability to drink, as nights out seem quite clinical and boring now compared to what they used to be.

Thanks

Hey Neil...

An interesting argument for drinking but considering how you already know that it doesn't sit well with you and your meds...why not consider doing something else on those nights out? Just because one popular (myth) perception is that "others can do it so why can't I?" We already make the fact that we can't do it like somebody else can ~ like something wrong with us. Maybe that is the good news for us. Who really wants to get used to alcohol? I am sure you can have a great time without it and perhaps the company you are keeping (drinkers) are not to be envied for it.

You seem to be on a good path to dealing with depression (using medication) but are you also practicing good coping skills? Drinking just doesn't lend itself as a positive coping skill. I have had several alcoholic friends in my life and a brother (deceased). Drinking isn't all that it is cracked up to be...if anything...the actions of drinkers speak louder than their words.

Be good to yourself and praise yourself for your good efforts (without drinking) in dealing with depression. Some people just cannot handle even the occasional drink...my fiance is one of them therefore he just doesn't drink at all. He is lots of fun and coherent ALL OF THE TIME!

Also there is a popular argument for, "anything in moderation is okay or won't hurt you". That is just plain false...we are smarter than the popular myths, aren't we?

Be well and take good care of you...

MEZ

This post has been edited by MEZooKeeper: 22 January 2010 - 07:44 PM

[Neil932]

1rw, on Jan 22 2010, 11:48 PM, said:

As far as I'm concerned, any substance abuse is not helpful to someone wanting to overcome depression.



Regarding alcohol specifically, I just googled the words "alcohol" and "depression" and was immediately provided with several pages of links that discuss the relationship between alcohol and depression.

<links here>

Regarding my own experiences: I now realize that long-term alcohol use made my depression worse.
It wasn't until after I quit abusing alcohol that I was able to begin treating my depression.



Also, as the previous poster mentioned, mixing alcohol with antidepressant medications is not advisable.

Well yes I can see all these links. But they all talk about the link between alcohol and depression in the here and now, not what will happen in 3-6 years. And I found that I was OK with alcohol and antidepressants in the here and now. So I'm surprised that there is a cumulative effect - that was never mentioned.

You get the messages in the patient information leaflet: "Combining Cipralex with alcohol is not advisible" Why? "because it might make you drowsy" Well it doesn't, in my experience. So what is the point in avoiding alcohol?
Anyway I've stopped drinking now.

[ChrystalR]

I stopped drinking when I began using Lamictal for my Bipolar Disorder. In the beginning I was very worried that it would make it impossible for me to enjoy social nights out. Also, I worried about becoming "boring". However, I have been out a few times and discovered that people actually find me charming, that I do not need to consume alcohol in order to manage being social with others. I was not seen as boring and I had a good time. Even if I quit my medication for some reason, or change to another type, I will never drink again. Why? Because I know it`s a depressant, I know it doesn`t do anything but create illusions, and I know that I am just as valuable and awesome without it *wink* So for me, quitting wasn`t just about antidepressant, but learning to manage my life without the comfort or safety. Why work on social issues when you can hide them? How ever manage to feel confident and self assure when you have the social issues hidden inside? Those are just my opinions, and my experience is that I am doing very well now, working on improving my confidence and managing social situations, flirting, dating, all without feeling that I need to hide

ChrystalR

[Need2Talk]

To me this one's simple.....if you have been having ANY problems with depression/ADHD/bipolar (one or all...or none??) or any other mental disorder DO NOT put ANY mind altering chemicals in your body unless prescribed for YOU by your doctor. I have been suffering from depression for the last year or so brought on my some EXTEREMELY stressful events in my life....like starting a new business and a wife (who is an alcholic/addict) deciding to start screwing her sister's husband who I found out was supplying her with cocain. She kept coming back (and I STUPIDLY let her) then would just disappear and lie about where she was leaving me home alone for days with my youing sons..ANYWAY...I was a social drinker all my life but turned to drinking when I first caught my wife having an affair in June 2008 and looked to alcohol for an escape. WITHOUT EXCEPTION I regret drinking every single time I have a drink, and I typically think about having a drink right when I start feeling better thinking I can handle it. I become more depressed and hopeless after it wears off, and I am finding it takes me longer and longer to shake it off. Bottomline...the initial buzz I get from alcohol wears off in about an hour and then if I keep drinking I end up just feeling like crap and even more depressed for the next couple of days...the cycle continues.... Better idea....get ooutside and go for a walk ESPECIALLY if you don't want to! IT DOES WONDERS

[iliveinshadows]

Neil932, on Jan 22 2010, 06:13 PM, said:

I have had depression for 22 years on and off, and in the past 6 years have been taking SSRI Escitalopram maintenance dose, which controls it.
At the same time I have been drinking alcohol on Saturday evenings, quite often having quite a lot of it -
This never caused my depression to relapse on the following day, so I thought it was OK to do this (because the only warnings are about alcohol with antidepressants making you drowsy or making your depression worse the following day - which didn't happen to me).

But 2 months ago I relapsed again, and it has taken me 2 months, lots of therapy, a double of the dose of the Escitalopram, a second antidepressant Mirtasapine, and a major tranquilizer to get me well again.
So I've done some more research, and wikipedia is now saying that alcohol can make the long term progress of depression worse. I didn't know this, and it wasn't there in the books 5 years ago.

So my question is whether you think I must now stop drinking to (hopefully) stop the progress of this illness, so that I can carry on with the current drugs I am taking, and not need to take still higher doses.
In fact I've stopped drinking already when the relapse happened, and have therefore been stopped for 2 months already. It is OK, but I would rather have the ability to drink, as nights out seem quite clinical and boring now compared to what they used to be.

Thanks

I always drank while taking AD's but was always aware that ultimately I was on a downward spiral. I think its best to quit drinking altogether as it is afterall a depressant. Whatever good feelings alcohol gives you over the short ( very short ) term you have a lot of hours in the day to feel its darker imput. I still drink but only moderately