Newtus -

I checked on what to expect out of Haldol.

It takes from several days to several weeks to start reducing paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations. it takes from 4 to 6 weeks to reduce other symptoms like delusions, etc.

Smoking reduces the effectiveness. I don't know how alcohol affects Haldol, but it is not supposed to be combined with alcohol either.

I'm not sure what your history is with sticking to your regimen. But if you are frequently going off and on, and reducing your dose, then you may have never given Haldol a chance to work.

If you take the prescribed dose every day at the same time for six weeks and have no relief from your symptoms, then you can talk to your doctor about trying something else. You would also need to stay away from cigarettes and alcohol.

As for the feeling of sedation, as with most AP's I'm guessing that as your body adjusts to it (assuming you take it every day and don't go off it), that problem will go away. My daughter has taken various AP's for bipolar, and was on Geodon for several years. The first couple of weeks after starting it (and for 1 week each time her dose was raised), she slept most of the day for that period of time. Then she got back to her normal energy level.

I know all of that sounds really hard. But if doing all of that for 6 weeks turns out to give you enough relief from your symptoms that you are able to become more active in life and be better able to do what you want to do - and become less isolated - wouldn't it be worth it?