I have been on antidepressants over the years for various reasons. They never really agreed with me. I was either unable to sleep or had no feelings at all other than feeling like I was in a fog. Life was flatlined! I was also warned not to take them with alcohol. At the time I was either not drinking or would only have one or two drinks out of fear. I have heard very good things about 5HTP and that is supposed to be very safe. It also curbs appitite and helps with sleep. I am going to try it because I am feeling down also!

Hi WTE,

For some years, I have been confused by the fact that alcohol is described as a depressant. As a result of this thread, I did a bit of digging on the web and stumbled across the following:

Central nervous system (CNS) depressant

Any drug that tends to reduce the activity of the central nervous system. The major drug categories included in this classification are: alcohol, anesthetics, anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, antipsychotics, hypnotics, narcotics, sedatives, and tranquilizers.

(Source: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictio ... depressant)

So, I'm not sure if a CNS depressant, e.g. alcohol, is something that actually makes us feel depressed. I would welcome advice on this matter.

All the best.

V.

Hey Everyone,
I've been on anti-depressants for years and always completely ignored the do not drink mantra.
I'm currently taking Welbutrin. Does anyone know if it's OK to take with NAL and drink. Seems to be mixed feelings.
I few years ago, I was taking Paxil for panic attacks and thought I weened myself off it gradually. It made me suicidal! I'm terrified of going off anything - I never want to experience that again - but, I've got to start the NAL.
Any advice much appreciated.
Lucy D

I'm not on any meds but just reviewed THE BOOK briefly, as well as the instructions for taking naltrexone. I didn't see any restrictions on taking naltrexone with Wellbutrin. You should check out the postings of the "Benzo Bunch" -- they take psychiatric drugs with naltrexone and would have more to offer than me. I'm pretty sure you are safe but please don't rely on me to answer this one because I have no personal experience with this issue.

I'm sorry Lucy, but the name escapes me at this point but you can google drug interactions, but I have taken Welbutrin while drinking and I seem to be ok....nothing bad happened. I have also weaned myself off Welbutrin and had no issues. I merely dropped the dosage for a couple weeks until it was gone. I am in no means a dr or pharmacist, but it worked for me.

As I am typing this, I am thinking the name is www.drugs.com......

I am in the benzo bunch and take .5mg of klonipin in the a.m. Now drinking with this stuff is Russian Roulette. I get away with it but someone else might not. I do take it in the a.m. and rarely drink in the a.m. so by the time I take the Naltrexone and drink some of the drug is out of my system. They do warn about antidepressants and alcohol all the time and also benzo's. We are taking a big chance to do both! You can google your question and a site will come up to give you a direct answer, I am fairly sure.

Of course, for legal reasons, we are bombarded with messages that drinking and any of the following can be hazardous: taking Excederin, using your lawn mower, riding a bike, driving a car, taking virtually any medication, etc., etc. Years ago I used to take the warnings seriously. However, there are so many warnings about alcohol -- some legitimate and some simply from a company trying to save themselves from litigation -- that I can no longer tell them apart. As a result, I have drank through every single warning I've ever read about and nothing bad has happened to me. Other than ruining my life on alcohol, but you know what I mean...

Ditto!

I have often times worried in the past, but judt plugging through, and drinking, nothing terrible has ever happened....well, one time I took a Percocet and drank and had my first panic attack. I thought I was dying which made me panic worse. After that I stopped drinking for 4 months, but stupidly started again at Christmas time.

LCD: naltrexone is a benign drug on its own. In a nutshell, only people with liver problems, hepatitis or people who have been taking opiates need to be concerned about taking naltrexone. (This is a nutshell, please consult the book and/or naltrexone instructions for all contraindications.) Unless you fall into these groups, I would not worry about the naltrexone part of the equation and would focus on the alcohol plus whatever other substance you are taking. EG, I would be worried about researching the effects of Welburtin and alcohol and not so much the naltrexone part of the equation... Just my two cents for what they are worth and you shouldn't rely on me for medical advice... (The lawyer in me coming out.) You know I'm not a doctor, just play one on the boozer board.

I so appreciate all the responses. I get these feelings of fear that I know, in reality, I will ignore. Im waiting for my Nal - hoping to get it by the end of the month - and I'm pretty sure I'm just going to take it as recommended in the book and see what happens.
Fortunately or not, I am a risk taker and what really do any of us have to lose?

Thanks so much for all the imput - this board is so comforting. I always know I can come here and be understood.

Thank you all so much.

Lucy D

I'm drinking right now, but I mean what I'm saying.