Lots of people have told me this; therapists, detox center staff, and doctors.

I am seeing my GP (regular doc) on Thursday when we'll decide between SSRIs and beta-blockers as a treatment for my GAD, or at least the symptoms of it.

Due to extreme side-effects in the past when I was on SSRIs I'd really rather avoid them altogether - in fact I've fought against taking them for years now, but my resolve is faltering. I need something to help me with the horrendous (daily) bouts of anxiety, and though I'm prescribed as many benzos as I need (usually 3 to 5 2mg diazepam a day) this is most definitely NOT the answer for me, and I am sorely tempted to try SSRIs again. I just want to end this nightmare spiral of anxiety I'm in.

My GP (General Practitioner - regular physician) doesn't know I'm following TSM or that I'm still drinking - in fact I have lied to him and told him I am abstinent. He's a good guy but doesn't get the drinking angle, and would never understand or consent to TSM, and if he knows I'm drinking he more or less refuses to offer any other help. I understand where he's coming from, but this is my own body, and I have my own chosen course (TSM).

So - to cut to the chase - has anyone had good results from SSRIs even though they still drink like fishies?

Personally, no. I think I've tried Prozac and Lexapro, for depression though not for GAD. Never saw any benefit.

P.S. I have recently begun a regimen of amino acid supplementation that is supposed to stimulate the brain to naturally produce more GABA (which both alcohol and benzos deplete and make the brain lazier at doing so by itself) but I have no idea what role GABA plays in panic attacks/anxiety, if any.

Thanks E. I was prescribed Cipralex for depression before, and it helped a bit with that, even while I was drinking perhaps on average six beers a night. GAD is something different though, and in this country SSRIs are the primary treatment for that. I have no persistent depression now, just the odd (but heavy, sometimes) 'blip'.

Amino acids are important brain healers. They stimulate glutathione synthesis, which in turn stimulates GABA synthesis. GABA calms. Taking it as a supplement is questionable at best; it's thought not to cross the blood-brain barrier. Here's a discussion:
http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/GABA.html

Glutathione supplementation does not seem to work nearly as well as taking its precursors, amino acids. Especially glutamine and whey protein. Also good are fish body oil (omega-3), B-complex and generally lots o' vitamins.

Thanks Lena. I'm not taking GABA (don't think you can even buy it here in the UK?), I'm taking the amino acids, Omega 3, lots of vitamins, and extra B complex.

I guess I haven't framed the question well enough, or perhaps I need a different (much more specific) board. My question is: has anyone had results with SSRIs for GAD while drinking alcoholically?

Some here do take them. Hang tight; someone will weigh in.

A couple of years ago I was a weightlifting freak. I only drank once a week and I supplemented heavily with all of these things ^^^

It was the best I've ever felt in my entire alcoholic life.

edit: and flax oil (heavy omega 3's)

I have been on SSRIs on and off since the birth of my kids (post-partum depression.) And some worked great, some didn't. I don't think drinking had much of an effect, if at all. I am on Wellbutrin now, which is an anti-depressant but not an SSRI. Doesn't have all the side effects SSRIs usually have. My experience may not be everyone's, obviously. But many of them have worked wonders for me.

Thanks so much for your input guys, certainly food for thought.