Posted by Wendigo on May 2, 2005, at 16:21:59
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by nancyb on May 2, 2005, at 15:40:34
Hello all. I've taken Effexor XR for about a year (150 mg) and wondered if any of you noticed certain [for lack of better word] alcoholic tendencies while taking it; I mean, before taking antidepressants I was an occasional drinker, at most a weekend drinker (3-4 drinks [wine/beer]). Although I enjoyed drinking, and had a fairly high tolerance for alcohol, I never considered myself an alcoholic or someone with a "drinking habit" or problem. I am, however, a recovering anorexic/bulimic (no episodes in 8 years); I wonder if I have traded one disorder for another, or if taking Effexor (for depression, social anxiety) has anything at all to do with my recent excessive alcohol consumption. I know it could be coincidental, but I also know that my tolerance (without medication fairly high) is even greater while on Effexor (which I assumed was due to the antidepressant counteracting the depressant effects of alcohol). I find myself drinking more to achieve any effect (I'm aware that this could also indicate addiction). I've never been truly suicidal, but my recent lack of control with alcohol has caused great stress in my marriage--my lying and deceit (about purchase/consumption of alcohol) and my husband's accusations, spying/snooping (can't really blame him, although he is a rather controlling/paternal person) have left me with little sense of self...I feel irresponsible for having had kids, etc. Any insights? I only wonder whether my increased desire to drink has anything to do with the Effexor because while postpartum several years ago I took Prozac, and experienced a similar urge to drink, and to drink greater quantities, than when taking no medication.
I've read the warnings about drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants, which state that the alcohol increases drowsiness, dizziness, and that the antidepressant will intensify the effects of alcohol, but this doesn't seem to be the case for me.
I don't want to become an alcoholic, and have begun gradually to decrease my dosage of Effexor to see the effect on my urge to drink.Sorry if this is repetitive; I posted a similar message elsewhere in psycho-babble (I'm new to this).
poster:Wendigo
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050428/msgs/492792.html