Paxil and Alcohol
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 35
Paxil and Alcohol
8 years ago a doctor told me to take Paxil. About 6 months later I started drinking and actually CRAVING alcohol. It didnt take long to start drinking a lot and daily. Long story short this lasted for 3 years and it ruined my life. Then... I stopped taking paxil and got on another drug Cymbalta. It took two weeks and I didnt crave alcohol anymore! I started riding my bike again.... going out to plays. It was GREAT!
Has anyone else experienced something similar?
Has anyone else experienced something similar?
member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
Paxil (along with most antidepressants) may cause anxiety in some people, and this might increase alcohol cravings. On the flip side, antidepressants usually relieve anxiety, which might help quell cravings. Unfortunately the only way to know if an AD will help you is by trial and error. Do you think this might be the case?
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to our SR Alcoholism Forum...
I never used either of the drugs you have
I can tell you my situational depression lifted
about 2 months into my AA recovery.
This is not the experience for everyone
It's always wise to consult your doctor about medication.
Good to see a new member
I never used either of the drugs you have
I can tell you my situational depression lifted
about 2 months into my AA recovery.
This is not the experience for everyone
It's always wise to consult your doctor about medication.
Good to see a new member
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
My experince was i took it for 5 months, first 5 months of sobriety, worked a treat. Last week on the stuff next week, have been tapering off, and had no withdrawl symptoms. Like was posted if you're ad doesn't agree with you go with another one, good post as i don't think a lot of people think of this as an option and trust their doctor to make the decisions for them too much sometimes!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 35
Well this Paxil stuff made me WANT to drink. In fact there was a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of it. Alas, it didnt fly. But people that have never had a craving in their life started drinking a 1/5th a day!
This SSRI stuff is very very very VERY dangerous stuff!
This SSRI stuff is very very very VERY dangerous stuff!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
IMO and this is just an opinion, ssri's help more people than they hurt. It saved my life so we have different experiences. I knew all about the law suits and withdrawls, suicides etcetc but then again i needed it 5 months ago.
The problem with it is the potency and doc's hand them out in the states for a bad day, then that person ends up in a new living hell created by the drug. I agree with paxil there should be more warnings and the people prescribing it should be educated about it. It is the most powerful of the anti depressants. I am tapering off now and have horrible nightmares.
The problem with it is the potency and doc's hand them out in the states for a bad day, then that person ends up in a new living hell created by the drug. I agree with paxil there should be more warnings and the people prescribing it should be educated about it. It is the most powerful of the anti depressants. I am tapering off now and have horrible nightmares.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 16
Just my two Cents
I took effexor , thinking that I had a depression or anxiety problem...and that was the reason why I drank. I was wrong, and not completely honest to the doctor. Not only did the stuff WHACK 
me out even more, when I drank I became a complete basket case. Totally insane with small quantities of alcohol. As soon as I stopped taking the stuff I went back to just being your normal alcoholic. I finally came clean and committed myself to recovery about 3 weeks ago. My anxiety is starting to disappear. I think it was actually caused by the alcohol. I can speak freely in business meetings without getting the sweats and jitters like I used to. Crazy, the human mind...:wtf2
me out even more, when I drank I became a complete basket case. Totally insane with small quantities of alcohol. As soon as I stopped taking the stuff I went back to just being your normal alcoholic. I finally came clean and committed myself to recovery about 3 weeks ago. My anxiety is starting to disappear. I think it was actually caused by the alcohol. I can speak freely in business meetings without getting the sweats and jitters like I used to. Crazy, the human mind...:wtf2
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Any where I'm at but mainly around Chicago
Posts: 138
This post kindof scares me
I just got out of detox yesterday from benzos and vodka and the doctor prescribed me paxil because he said I have PTSD. He was actually the doctor at the detox center so I don't know why he would do that if it makes you want to drink.
This is only my 2nd day on it but I do feel like drinking I just figured it was because I just detoxed. I won't see my follow up outpatient doctor until monday. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they say and try to maintain thru the weekend.
This is only my 2nd day on it but I do feel like drinking I just figured it was because I just detoxed. I won't see my follow up outpatient doctor until monday. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they say and try to maintain thru the weekend.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Iamlucy.....
Glad you joined us on SR ...Welcome!
I think most of us in early sobriety want to drink.
...We have not yet gotten comfortable with
the idea of sober living.
Congratulations on beginning your new life
Please keep posting and stay sober...
Glad you joined us on SR ...Welcome!
I think most of us in early sobriety want to drink.
...We have not yet gotten comfortable withthe idea of sober living.
Congratulations on beginning your new life
Please keep posting and stay sober...
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 87
I was on Paxil for many years and drank while on it. I found that I drank just as much or more after I was off Paxil. It is my understanding that drinking causes the medication not to work. Iamlucy, I found the first two weeks on Paxil to be tough. I did not feel any of the benefits and I was so tired. I can imagine that going through detox and taking Paxil is going to make you really tired. Paxil did help a lot with my anxiety and really mellowed me out.
member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
Hi IamLucy, welcome to SR 
The general consensus it that it's unwise to diagnose potential mental health conditions before the person has achieved a full two months of continued sobriety. Like Carol mentioned, a lot of people find that their symptoms ease up a lot during recovery. Though the harshest drug/alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak within a week after quitting, our bodies need more time to adjust to the not so subtle changes they are undergoing. Cravings are normal during this time.
There are two schoold of thought here. Some pdocs prefer to wait for some time before medicating their patients, hopefully watching for any potential problems that may arise during initial sobriety by assessing their progress at regular intervals.
Other doctors prefer to prescribe meds, if warrented, as soon as their patients commit to sobriety. This holds special true in patients who have struggled with mental disorders in the past. In controlled studies certain antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron), have been found to significantly improve relapse rates among depressed alcoholics during early sobriety. This is a more conservative and preventive approach.
Either way, it's very important to regard medications as tools. They are certainly not a cure-all. The decision to take medication is a big one, and it's essential to communicate honestly and fluidly with your health care provider. Being informed, setting treatment goals and knowing what to expect are big factors.
And of course it's ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to take these drugs or not.
Good luck
The general consensus it that it's unwise to diagnose potential mental health conditions before the person has achieved a full two months of continued sobriety. Like Carol mentioned, a lot of people find that their symptoms ease up a lot during recovery. Though the harshest drug/alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak within a week after quitting, our bodies need more time to adjust to the not so subtle changes they are undergoing. Cravings are normal during this time.
There are two schoold of thought here. Some pdocs prefer to wait for some time before medicating their patients, hopefully watching for any potential problems that may arise during initial sobriety by assessing their progress at regular intervals.
Other doctors prefer to prescribe meds, if warrented, as soon as their patients commit to sobriety. This holds special true in patients who have struggled with mental disorders in the past. In controlled studies certain antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron), have been found to significantly improve relapse rates among depressed alcoholics during early sobriety. This is a more conservative and preventive approach.
Either way, it's very important to regard medications as tools. They are certainly not a cure-all. The decision to take medication is a big one, and it's essential to communicate honestly and fluidly with your health care provider. Being informed, setting treatment goals and knowing what to expect are big factors.
And of course it's ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to take these drugs or not.
Good luck
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 26
same story here almost. i was put on serzone in july 2001 for severe anxiety and it took the anxiety away. unfortunately in july 2004, they said serzone was bad for your liver and they put me on paxil. february 05, i had my first craving for alcohol (previously hadn't had it any) so the weekend before i turned 21, i had my friend get me a bottle and got drunk for the first time. so i can't really say it was the paxil or me turning 21 because from february 05 until october 06 i drank normally, then something changed.
anyways, i can tell a definite difference when i'm on paxil vs when i'm not. the cravings are much stronger on paxil but changing to cymbalta didn't help, nor did effexor. also the cravings for food are stronger. i gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of using paxil. but i can't NOT take the paxil because then my anxiety comes back.
i'm convinced there is a connection. when i'm on the paxil, i spend the entire day thinking about doing nothing but drinking.
anyways, i can tell a definite difference when i'm on paxil vs when i'm not. the cravings are much stronger on paxil but changing to cymbalta didn't help, nor did effexor. also the cravings for food are stronger. i gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of using paxil. but i can't NOT take the paxil because then my anxiety comes back.
i'm convinced there is a connection. when i'm on the paxil, i spend the entire day thinking about doing nothing but drinking.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 35
Originally Posted by eemag71 
same story here almost. i was put on serzone in july 2001 for severe anxiety and it took the anxiety away. unfortunately in july 2004, they said serzone was bad for your liver and they put me on paxil. february 05, i had my first craving for alcohol (previously hadn't had it any) so the weekend before i turned 21, i had my friend get me a bottle and got drunk for the first time. so i can't really say it was the paxil or me turning 21 because from february 05 until october 06 i drank normally, then something changed.
anyways, i can tell a definite difference when i'm on paxil vs when i'm not. the cravings are much stronger on paxil but changing to cymbalta didn't help, nor did effexor. also the cravings for food are stronger. i gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of using paxil. but i can't NOT take the paxil because then my anxiety comes back.
i'm convinced there is a connection. when i'm on the paxil, i spend the entire day thinking about doing nothing but drinking.
anyways, i can tell a definite difference when i'm on paxil vs when i'm not. the cravings are much stronger on paxil but changing to cymbalta didn't help, nor did effexor. also the cravings for food are stronger. i gained 20 lbs in the first 6 months of using paxil. but i can't NOT take the paxil because then my anxiety comes back.
i'm convinced there is a connection. when i'm on the paxil, i spend the entire day thinking about doing nothing but drinking.
ALthough its difficult for you to say if its the Paxil or not, some how there IS a connection. In certain people there is. Im not saying for ANYONE to quit what they are taking, but to closely watch their cravings while on Paxil. That stuff made me live through HELL!!!
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
Thank you to "TheShallot".
Everyone (Including my doctor) thought I was crazy! Started weening off the Paxil yesterday.
I've always been a bit of a drinker (started 18 yrs ago or so) but I very quickly lost control shortly after starting to take paxil 5 years ago. I suspected right away that the paxil had something to do with my increase in drinking... but, at the time, the benifits of the paxil outweighed the drawbacks of drinking too much. Now when I DON'T drink I feel sick as hell.
Guess its stop the paxil, see if I can quit drinking, and then It's back to the drawing board on the other issues. :-)
Everyone (Including my doctor) thought I was crazy! Started weening off the Paxil yesterday.
I've always been a bit of a drinker (started 18 yrs ago or so) but I very quickly lost control shortly after starting to take paxil 5 years ago. I suspected right away that the paxil had something to do with my increase in drinking... but, at the time, the benifits of the paxil outweighed the drawbacks of drinking too much. Now when I DON'T drink I feel sick as hell.
Guess its stop the paxil, see if I can quit drinking, and then It's back to the drawing board on the other issues. :-)
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to SR cravingbooze
I'm an alcoholic....now recovered.
I too craved alcohol...med's had
nothing to do with that.
You may have missed this article
How We Get Addicted - TIME
And.....here are excerpts from the book that convinced
me to finally qit drinking
The Alcoholism and Addictions Help Forums- by SoberRecovery.com
All my best....
Last edited by CarolD; 11-17-2009 at 04:36 PM. Reason: Added Links
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Laramie, WY
Posts: 85
I've read a few articles about this and am not sure what to think. I guess it just differs from person to person and how a certain drug affects your body. I'm currently on Paxil and haven't noticed any cravings different from what I had before I was on Paxil. I wish my alcoholism could be blamed on a drug more than anything, it would be so nice to stop taking the Paxil and be normal, but I know for me it is not the case. But for others, who knows?
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
I have read a lot of posts online about a connection between Paxil and alcohol cravings. Nobody really knows (including doctors) how different SSRI's affect the brain. Even the manufacturers do not fully understand how these drugs work. And they affect people differently.
Primary care physicians are not qualified to diagnose and treat anxiety, depression, or mental illness, and yet they prescribe SSRI's like they are aspirin. You need a therapist or psychiatric specialist who really works to find out the root cause of your problem and has an expertise in treating mental illnesses and psychological issues. An SSRI does not cure you--it is similar to alcohol in that it temporarily stimulates the "feel good" parts of your brain. Once you stop taking it, the effect ends and the withdrawals begin.
I don't think that any drug, whether it be alcohol, street drugs, or prescription meds, is a good long-term fix for anxiety and depression. Living without drugs and alcohol is the best way. Eating right, exercising, meditating, regular practice of relaxation techniques, yoga, prayer, finding a sense of purpose and direction in your life, and basically living a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the best long term cure for most people's anxiety and depression. There is no quick fix or magic pill.
Primary care physicians are not qualified to diagnose and treat anxiety, depression, or mental illness, and yet they prescribe SSRI's like they are aspirin. You need a therapist or psychiatric specialist who really works to find out the root cause of your problem and has an expertise in treating mental illnesses and psychological issues. An SSRI does not cure you--it is similar to alcohol in that it temporarily stimulates the "feel good" parts of your brain. Once you stop taking it, the effect ends and the withdrawals begin.
I don't think that any drug, whether it be alcohol, street drugs, or prescription meds, is a good long-term fix for anxiety and depression. Living without drugs and alcohol is the best way. Eating right, exercising, meditating, regular practice of relaxation techniques, yoga, prayer, finding a sense of purpose and direction in your life, and basically living a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the best long term cure for most people's anxiety and depression. There is no quick fix or magic pill.
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 31
You're not alone
8 years ago a doctor told me to take Paxil. About 6 months later I started drinking and actually CRAVING alcohol. It didnt take long to start drinking a lot and daily. Long story short this lasted for 3 years and it ruined my life.
If I am not mistaken, Paxil is listed in "The Physicians' Desk Reference" for causing "Alcohol Abuse and/or Craving"
Here's just some more info on that subject:
"November, 1994: Krystal JH, Webb E, Cooney N, et al., “Specificity of Ethanol-like Effects Elicited in Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Mechanisms,” ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY, Vol. 51, Issue 11, pgs 898-911, 1994 demonstrated that an increase in brain levels of either of two neurotransmitters, serotonin or noradrenalin, produces:
#1 a craving for alcohol,
#2 anger,
#3 anxiety.
They found this to be especially true for those who have a history of alcoholism. An increase serotonin in turn increases noradrenalin. Numerous reports have been made by reformed alcoholics who are being “driven” to alcohol again after being prescribed a serotonergic drug. And many other patients who had no previous history of alcoholism have continued to report an “overwhelming compulsion” to drink while using these drugs."
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