Ssris and alcohol cravings

[zeb]

I developed INTENSE alcohol cravings whilst taking SSRIS which got me into all sorts of problems with binge drinking, loseing my job and even ending up in prison. I have found research papers that show that alcohol cravings can be induced by SSRIS, Ive told my story on Dr David Healys website davidhealy.org (http://davidhealy.org/). To go straight to my story click here http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink (http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink) this story helps to explain why some people get the cravings/alcohol abuse whilst taking SSRIS.

[london]

did you get any help in the nick
god bless

[zeb]

No the criminal justice system in this country is disgusting and they wonder why people re-offend, there is very little help avalible especially for alcohol problems, just punishment. But I knew my problem was related to these drugs I also had several friends who developed drinking problems on them also. This is a very serious problem and too many people are being unnecessarily harmed by them. I have written my story to help other people who may be caught up in a similar problem and to help them identify what is going on so they will not be harmed like myself and others.

[wlizzie]

this has me quite worried now, i just started on cit 4days ago.

[zeb]

Wlizzie,

It might not affect you at all in this way and you may be one of the lucky ones who it will work well for. My message is not to put people off treatment but just to highlight what could happen and to be aware that if you do notice that your drinking is increasing then it may be the SSRI you are taking and you may have to think of coming off it, I had no one to tell me and I dont want what happened to me to happen to anyone else thats all, just be aware.

[morning_blues]

It's really funny but I am the complete opposite! since starting cit I've had no appetite for alcohol at all. Makes for a cheap night out!

[Ingenious]

Likewise I am the complete opposite too. I became teetotal before starting Citalopram and it did nothing to either re-start my cravings for alcohol (I was an alcoholic at one point in my life) or for any other substances.

Edit - and just to say zeb I really commend you for writing about your experiences. If anyone else goes through the same this will be great info to help them. Having read that article in full now it's really, really interesting. Like you I switched from Citalopram to Mirtazapine, glad I did now - bearing in mind my history with alcoholism I feel quite lucky this was not re-triggered by the SSRI. And probably a very good job I did remain teetotal while on it.

[theharvestmouse]

I'm same as Ingenious, I stopped drinking before starting Cit, and have not had any craving to drink at all. I was once a heavy binge drinker which caused me a lot of problems with anxiety.


Zeb well done for making others aware though and coming out with something positive to help others.

[Pipkin]

Strange how these drugs affect people differently. ADs have helped me enormously and, although I enjoy a drink at the weekend, if anything, being on meds makes me want to drink less. Besides, it just knocks me out.

Zeb - good to see you're getting sorted.

Take care

Pip

[sickandtired]

personally,Ive found that...because Im feeling much better (largely because of my meds) I have overcome what was the start of agrophobia...... I am going out more,socialising thus drinking more....in fact,Im feeling on top of the world (such a massive improvement since November last year) Ive even started a job (not worked for nearly 3 years)
Some nights during the week Ive had a lager and lime,but I cant say as I crave alcohol,but I shall keep an eye on my drinking anyway....I dont want to rock the boat!

[Tattooz]

I got out of a detox centre if after 25 yrs off drinking and drug abuse if left me in a bad way so I was put on cit 20mgs to start but now I'm on 60 the drug worker also put me on campral this was to stop the drink cravings I'm now over 3 months clean I know from my experance cit as some nasty side affects for the first few weeks which cud make a problem drinker want to drink again but I have had no probs but campral plays a big part in that hope this might help