Posted by myco on April 9, 2009, at 10:58:12
In reply to depression and alcohol--is my pdoc right?, posted by raisinb on April 9, 2009, at 10:41:20
Not exactly sure I have an answer. I know small bits of booze will make you feel good and give you energy (does to me anyway)...this release dopamine which converts to NE. but I think its possible to "overload" that and get a reduction in SE...or more of a depessive mood. Has to be more than that though in terms of physiology
Question is why do you drink? Is there anything wrong with a glass or wine or a beer?....not usually no (even on meds)...but again question is why.
I'm a recovering alcoholic and drug addict...I was using these substances (well i'll say abusing) to kill my horrible (dr untreated) anxiety issues. This got way out of hand due to my addictive personality. That initial self medication attempt got ugly toward the end.
Booze and benzos are a nasty combo...yes CNS depression....respiratory depression, bp issues, reduced heart rate. Not a good thing.
So why do you drink? Is it to treat some issue?...thats the issue with mood disorder....I was "treating" my anxiety via this f*ck*d up self medication attempt. I think your dr may be worried that you are going down that path that is familiar to me. Do you find you tend to "overdue" things alot?....things that you enjoy, are passionate about...lose control easily?
Sorry I cant say much about the CNS-vs-Depession issue....but if you are "a little shakey" to start with...booze may push your moods under easily...trust me it does after awhile...way way down. Hardcore use will make you horribly depressed and angry.
myco
--------> I saw my pdoc yesterday and mentioned I'd been having a rough time due to various situational factors, and now I'm spiraling down into depression. I also told her I've been drinking 1-2 Jack and cokes per night to wind down.
>
> She gave me a lecture about how the alcohol was making my meds less effective, stating, "people with mood disorders on medication just can't drink alcohol the way other people can. You can't *have* a glass of wine with dinner--much less whiskey!"
>
> I've heard over and over that alcohol is a depressant, but isn't a CNS depressant different than *causing* depressed mood? Or am I wrong?
poster:myco
thread:889629
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090408/msgs/889633.html