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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Flamingo on April 17, 2005, at 7:50:16
I am a recovering alcoholic and just thought that because of the Celexa effect on seretonin, that it may increase alcohol cravings. Has anybody had this expreience? I wonder if it is chemically based or whether I am just using this explanation as an excuse for cravings.
Posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 10:10:21
In reply to Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Flamingo on April 17, 2005, at 7:50:16
SSRIs have been reported by several people here as somehow provoking alcohol cravings--including myself, also with an addiction past.
I am not quite sure what it is, I think in part it has to do with decreased inhibition and increased feelngs of impulsivity from the medication...
But for me it was quite manageable, simply being aware of this helped...it has never seemed to get worse or build up over time.
Posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2005, at 18:14:15
In reply to Re: Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 10:10:21
I thought it was okay to take SSRI's if you had an addiction? I never heard of them increasing cravings before. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 20:02:22
In reply to Re: Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings? » banga, posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2005, at 18:14:15
> I thought it was okay to take SSRI's if you had an addiction? I never heard of them increasing cravings before. Fondly, Phillipa
Hi Phillipa!
You are right, this is not a fact that has been verified by any studies, and probably no doctor believes it. But too many people, myself included, suspect it does.
I don't think it is to a level that you should consider it counterindicated for people with addictions, but I think people need to know, to be careful...
Posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2005, at 20:19:57
In reply to Re: Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by banga on April 17, 2005, at 20:02:22
Thanks Banga, That's very interesting and something maybe I'll start a Thread on. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by theo on April 18, 2005, at 8:46:33
In reply to Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Flamingo on April 17, 2005, at 7:50:16
The activating ones normally do to one with alcoholic tendencies. I remember resarting Prozac about a year after I was sober and I had this drug seeking behavior, wanting to try MDMA (Ecstacy) again. What's funny is I haven't taken it since 1983 when it wasn't illegal.
To help alcoholic obsessive behavior, Paxil 20mg worked great and reduced that "craving" feeling to go out and twist off.
Posted by tendency on April 18, 2005, at 10:52:24
In reply to Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Flamingo on April 17, 2005, at 7:50:16
> I am a recovering alcoholic and just thought that because of the Celexa effect on seretonin, that it may increase alcohol cravings. Has anybody had this expreience? I wonder if it is chemically based or whether I am just using this explanation as an excuse for cravings.
wow, what an interesting thread. ive been on celexa for two weeks and did notice some urges to drink a couple days last week. hasnt returned so maybe it was just a blip in the road. interesting that others have noticed this too.
Posted by Jenneh on March 14, 2006, at 15:48:07
In reply to Re: Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings? » Flamingo, posted by tendency on April 18, 2005, at 10:52:24
I have definitely noticed that I crave it a lot though I always have craved it. I do think it has increased how much I crave and how much I drink. Effexor did the same thing to me.
Posted by kodi on March 16, 2006, at 20:23:55
In reply to Re: Does Celexa increase alcohol cravings?, posted by Jenneh on March 14, 2006, at 15:48:07
> I have definitely noticed that I crave it a lot though I always have craved it. I do think it has increased how much I crave and how much I drink. Effexor did the same thing to me.I have been on Celexa since 2002 and I have never noticed an increased craving for alcohol. Before I took Celexa, I also did not have a craving for alcohol. That may explain why I do not experience the craving you talk about.
Now, sugar on the other hand, I crave constantly. Again, I do not know if this is because of a drug reaction.
Posted by linibini on March 28, 2006, at 11:34:54
In reply to Re: Celexa side effect with Alcohol, posted by kodi on March 16, 2006, at 20:23:55
I too have experienced alcohol cravings with Lexapro and especially with Prozac. I would be really curious to know the reason for this. I have been sober over 3 years and haven't had much in the way of cravings until starting these drugs.
This is the end of the thread.
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