Can you drink on SSRI?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Answers from people who are on an SSRI please

Can you? Probably. You're not likely to die immediately, if that's what you mean.

Should you? Probably not. Pedantic pp aside, alcohol has an impact on your mental health, and it generally isn't positive/uplifting. If you're taking prescription meds to treat mental health conditions, you shouldn't mix drugs. Your meds are adjusting your neurotransmitters. Alcohol and other drugs impact your neurotransmitters. You'll get the best feedback about whether or not your SSRI is working (or needs to be adjusted or changed) if you don't muddy the waters with booze, cannabis or other drugs. Honestly, you should cut caffeine way back or out completely as well.

But you probably won't die immediately from drinking while taking an ssri.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answers from people who are on an SSRI please

Can you? Probably. You're not likely to die immediately, if that's what you mean.

Should you? Probably not. Pedantic pp aside, alcohol has an impact on your mental health, and it generally isn't positive/uplifting. If you're taking prescription meds to treat mental health conditions, you shouldn't mix drugs. Your meds are adjusting your neurotransmitters. Alcohol and other drugs impact your neurotransmitters. You'll get the best feedback about whether or not your SSRI is working (or needs to be adjusted or changed) if you don't muddy the waters with booze, cannabis or other drugs. Honestly, you should cut caffeine way back or out completely as well.

But you probably won't die immediately from drinking while taking an ssri.

I think it’s pretty clear the op was about occasional drinking. Not excessive alcoholic style drinking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

Drinking does not necessarily equal alcohol abuse. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

Aww, good for you, lil buddy! Read this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/

If you're messing with your neurotransmitters, you're messing with your neurotransmitters. If you're going to go to the trouble of seeking clinical help and pharmaceuticals, you should at least consider the effect and impact of your other drugs, including alcohol, which has an impact after even just one drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

Aww, good for you, lil buddy! Read this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/

If you're messing with your neurotransmitters, you're messing with your neurotransmitters. If you're going to go to the trouble of seeking clinical help and pharmaceuticals, you should at least consider the effect and impact of your other drugs, including alcohol, which has an impact after even just one drink.

Don’t you have an AA meeting to get to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

Aww, good for you, lil buddy! Read this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/

If you're messing with your neurotransmitters, you're messing with your neurotransmitters. If you're going to go to the trouble of seeking clinical help and pharmaceuticals, you should at least consider the effect and impact of your other drugs, including alcohol, which has an impact after even just one drink.

"Lil Buddy"? Oh dear.

Yes, you can drink without fear of a chemical interaction that will suppress breathing, for instance.
But it can alter your mood and might work against whatever drug you're taking to improve it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answers from people who are on an SSRI please

Can you? Probably. You're not likely to die immediately, if that's what you mean.

Should you? Probably not. Pedantic pp aside, alcohol has an impact on your mental health, and it generally isn't positive/uplifting. If you're taking prescription meds to treat mental health conditions, you shouldn't mix drugs. Your meds are adjusting your neurotransmitters. Alcohol and other drugs impact your neurotransmitters. You'll get the best feedback about whether or not your SSRI is working (or needs to be adjusted or changed) if you don't muddy the waters with booze, cannabis or other drugs. Honestly, you should cut caffeine way back or out completely as well.

But you probably won't die immediately from drinking while taking an ssri.

Won't die immediately? Won't die at all as a result of having a few drinks occasionally on an SSRI. Please stop the hysterics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

Aww, good for you, lil buddy! Read this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/

If you're messing with your neurotransmitters, you're messing with your neurotransmitters. If you're going to go to the trouble of seeking clinical help and pharmaceuticals, you should at least consider the effect and impact of your other drugs, including alcohol, which has an impact after even just one drink.

DP, anyone who starts a post with "lil buddy" has already lost credibility.

BTW pp you're responding to is absolutely correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not recommended. If you need an SSRI you shouldn't be drinking anyway.

This:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231


And some people have discovered that if they stop drinking and get control over their alcohol abuse, eventually they don't need the SSRI either. Alcohol is a depressant and SSRIs are anti-depressants.

People are using the term "depressant" without understanding the context and definition.

Alcohol is not a mental "depressant." It is a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Depressant. People just use the phrase "alcohol is a depressant" as a short form. But, in fact, alcohol depresses the activity of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. That is NOT the same as being a mental health depressant.

Keep justifying your alcoholism that way, but alcohol isn't an upper, my dude. It's not good for anyone's mental health.

I'm not an alcoholic. I have less than 12 drinks per year. But I am trained in critical reading and using my words accurately. Alcohol is not a psychological depressant. It depresses the f7nctions of the central nervous system...that's why people pass out when they drink a lot. There may be very good reasons why the drug instructions for SSRIs say to avoid alcohol...but it's not because alcohol, by itself, is a psychological depressant.

Aww, good for you, lil buddy! Read this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/

If you're messing with your neurotransmitters, you're messing with your neurotransmitters. If you're going to go to the trouble of seeking clinical help and pharmaceuticals, you should at least consider the effect and impact of your other drugs, including alcohol, which has an impact after even just one drink.

"Lil Buddy"? Oh dear.

Yes, you can drink without fear of a chemical interaction that will suppress breathing, for instance.
But it can alter your mood and might work against whatever drug you're taking to improve it.

+1 when I drank too often (4-6 drinks in a week) I definitely felt like the SSRI was not working as well

But yeah you can have a glass of wine with dinner once or twice a week and probably be fine. I don't because any amount of alcohol makes me feel awful, but it doesn't lead me to need medical attention if that is what OP is asking.