Posted by blueberry on April 23, 2006, at 15:46:58
In reply to I need some help..., posted by PsychoticTeen on April 22, 2006, at 21:09:46
The reactions between antidepressants or any psychiatric meds and alcohol is unpredictable. That's why they usually recommend not to drink.
Alcohol affects brain chemicals by sending a flood of neurotransmitters like dopamine and gaba, and who knows what else, not to mention the effects on glucose and the liver, all of which affect how the meds work. Medications are trying to control those neurotransmitters, and alcohol just creates chaos.
For some people they find a certain drink works fine for them. For others not. I used to be fine with a glass of wine. But when I was on prozac, a glass of wine made me extremely anxious and jittery and very uncomfortable. It wasn't at all the relaxing little buzz I would expect.
Unpredictability. I think that is the main reason alcohol and meds shouldn't be mixed. But I guess once a responsible person has been stable on a med for a while and carefully tests what they can drink and they find something ok and keep it in small amounts, it's probably fine.
Just an opinion though. Nothing scientific.
poster:blueberry
thread:635992
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060423/msgs/636233.html