Alcohol

boogiesmash · Mar 11, 2015, 07:23 PM

Ever since I was diagnosed with Bipolar, my psychiatrist insisted I do not drink at all. I have followed it to the t, but today I was craving a beer and had one. Is an occasional drink, or occasional night out going to impede or hurt my treatment? Anyone have any experience with this? Btw, that one beer made me feel hammered.

wildflowerchild25 · Mar 11, 2015, 07:31 PM

I know I'm not supposed to drink but I drink once every three to four months. I don't think it harms me. There are certain meds I wouldn't drink on - like if I took benzos on a daily basis I wouldn't drink with those. I don't think one beer once in awhile will harm anything, but I'm not a doctor.

Mar 11, 2015, 07:43 PM

I've heard the same, but I drink every night. I've not noticed a diff. My AD keeps me hypo so I don't feel phased. I wouldn't be taking my AP while drinking. I've been stabile too. I know, I'm naughty.

scatterbrained04 · Mar 11, 2015, 08:00 PM

I don't have problems with drinking on occassion.

Moogieotter · Mar 11, 2015, 08:12 PM

I cannot drink at all. Alcohol helps some of the bipolar symptoms in the short term. That's why we sometimes self medicate with it. For me, I get out of control and its a powerful depressant.

moogs

Mar 11, 2015, 08:24 PM

It depends on how it interacts with medicine. Alcohol is a depressant. So, if cause you to become depressed, than it is a no-no.

Mar 11, 2015, 08:39 PM

You know what's worse? Cocaine. You don't want to do cocaine, well at least a little bit, but not a lot! Do everything in moderation and it won't bite you.

ChaoticSymphony · Mar 12, 2015, 12:02 AM

Just don't drink alone.

Crazy Hitch · Mar 12, 2015, 12:08 AM

Boogiesmash my pdoc says so long as it's in moderation, it's fine.

But that's just one pdoc's opinion.

ozzy1313 · Mar 12, 2015, 07:45 AM

Mine has never said anything about drinking but in the last year I have noticed how bad it makes me feel so I hardly drink anymore. Drank Sunday and Monday and Tuesday were awful. Very depressed and physically unwell. I am also coming off wellbutrin, but my mental hangovers from drinking are too much to handle. I get very suicidal. This really sucks bc I like going out and drinking every once in a while but I am now so scared of the next day.

Brophy · Mar 12, 2015, 09:22 AM

I've noticed on lithium that even a single drink will hit me as hard as a full night of heavy drinking (premeds) used too. This is in regards to the mental and physical sluggishness. I don't feel achy like I would after a night out on the town. I would offer that in so far as alcohol is concerned I think it's fine to experiment because everyone is different. As mentioned above, everything in moderation.

Mar 12, 2015, 03:48 PM

I had the same problem on lithium. I had one drink and was slurring my words.

boogiesmash · Mar 12, 2015, 05:16 PM

Valentina here comes the ironic part i had a two day depression episode and today felt fine. No hangover either haha.

bipolar gemini · Mar 12, 2015, 05:19 PM

im drinking as i read this. coincidence?

Mar 13, 2015, 12:11 AM

I had a pint and a half at dinner.

Nevvy · Mar 13, 2015, 02:47 AM

I drink a few glasses of wine a few times a week.

I only notice that my lovely seroquel side effects get worse. Instead of my normal dry mouth and stuffy nose, I get this lovely....desert mouth thing going on the next morning.

ChaoticSymphony · Mar 13, 2015, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bipolar gemini

im drinking as i read this. coincidence?

Lol I literally laughed out loud when I read this. Cheers

CJFL · Mar 13, 2015, 05:23 AM

I have not been able to stop drinking since being diagnosed with bipolar. I drink much less but just cannot seem to go weeks without wine or mixed drinks. Still working with my doc. getting moods stabilized with medication. I also have GAD and OCD. The GAD part of my mental health is HELL as I work nights in nursing. I take Abilify 5mg, Buspar, just switched from Klonopin to Xanax. I am newly diagnosed and the information on medication experiences you guys have had would help. I am in a maze right now as BP for me is very complicated. Not always sure if symptoms are apart of BP or a separate Dx along with BP. Thanks.

Mar 13, 2015, 06:58 AM

My pdocs say drinking in moderation on my medication is fine. But drinking in moderation in Australia means something entirely different to the US hahaha. The drinking culture is huge here. Most of my friends would be considered hard core alcoholics in other parts of the world but its just normal here and doesnt affect their daily functioning.

Personally I enjoy a drink now and then, but if I get hammered I need to prepare and expect for a couple of days of depression. Not worth it for me at the moment so I havent had a drink since January.

elevatedsoul · Mar 13, 2015, 10:33 AM

i dont think 1 beer would hurt, it depends alot on the medication
some people shouldnt drink alcohol even if they dont take meds

i used to drink heavily but since being put on zyprexa i dont have such cravings

i still enjoy a few beers from time to time, everything in moderation

Skywalking · Mar 13, 2015, 11:21 AM

Alcoholism and mental illness are hardcore comorbid, so while excessive drinking is something nobody needs to be doing, it's especially important for people with bipolar to rein it in and not overdo it lest it become a problem, especially with the self-medicating issue - all of this just imo.

I have alcoholism in my family, so while I drink occasionally, I have VERY strict rules about when, where and how much it's okay for me to drink. The most important one is that I only indulge if I'm feeling okay. If I'm upset, down, angry, whatever - no alcohol, period.

That said, as always, caveat that my bipolar is mild and I'm only on one medication, lamotrigine, and my doctor's never told me I can't drink while taking it.

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