On Medication and Off The Drink....

LegacyUser

Hi,

As the title says...I've to take medication for an anxiety disorder that I have. As with all these types of medications, alcohol is more or less out of the question.

This poses problems as a good night out is about the only thing I look forward to. I've always been one of the heavier drinkers in any of my groups but, in truth, my anxieties would probably account for some of the over-drinking.

However, I'm unsure now how to approach this with any of my friends.
Explaining that I've simply had a change of heart is not going to be believable and it's not an image that I want to portray of myself either.
Obviously, explaining that I've some sort of psychiatric problem is not the route to go down either.
So...I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on possible suggestions?
For example, is there any mild medical problem that would cause someone to give up alcohol or at least cut down a lot?
I would have a preference for this as opposed to either of the 2 approaches above.

Thanks in advance.

Abi

Well, firstly your medication and getting better comes first. Anxiety was something I was treated for too. But you have a slight advantage on me, with regards to only drinking socially. I had let problems fester and worsen, and began to use drink to keep me calm and relieve the feeling of anxiety.

It is not something I condone, as it only creates a bigger problem. Not only was I then trying to fight depression and anxiety, but drink then aswell.

You will be fine. Its hard to change your habits, I totally understand. Why don't you have a chat with some of the friends you are close to, and let them know that its something you need to do for a while. If you find it impossible to stay off drink when you go to the pub with friends, then just dont go. Rent a movie or go to the cinema, maybe go out for dinner etc. Maybe you could ask your mates if they'd like to do something else they you all are interested in (maybe something sports related).

Good luck

Black Dog

I speak from experience: whatever you do, stay off the drink. It will really put off the day you will be better again.

As to what to say to your friends. For me I simply told the truth. You wouldn't make up a story if you had a kidney complaint, chest infection or some such. This is your health and it is a very, very common complaint. Hiding it is only adding to your stress.

Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery though, to be honest, recovery is slow - but it does come.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reply.

I still plan on socialising without the drink so it's certainly going to be difficult. But staying away from the pub completely is a non-runner as I'm single and I'm hopeful of meeting someone. But I'd prefer to do this without anyone thinking that I've "changed" if that makes sense.

LegacyUser

you can always take up some sport, normally while training alcohol consumption is out of the question
If you actually take up a sport, like running or trekking, it would be great to widen your social circle, never mind the positive physical effects

Most of your friends will probably be very supportive of this.

star-pants

Hi there OP,

I'm in a similar boat, due to an illness I've been off drink for the past 15 months as I'm on medication. When people ask is it anti biotics I say no, when they ask is it for long I just say 'long term for now'. This is to those I don't wish to divulge the info to. I go out and have fun like everyone else, I just don't drink.

You need to do this for you, don't worry about others.

Abi

on_med wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

I still plan on socialising without the drink so it's certainly going to be difficult. But staying away from the pub completely is a non-runner as I'm single and I'm hopeful of meeting someone. But I'd prefer to do this without anyone thinking that I've "changed" if that makes sense.

I know what you mean. But you can tell your friends exactly that. There is nothing wrong with you, same old you.. just need to do something for yourself

First couple of times will be hard, but you will get used to it. Alcohol is a depressant, I'm sure you know. So it would work completely against your medication, let alone be very dangerous.

Are you going to give it a go this weekend?

LegacyUser

Probably not! But I will soon....

I actually started on medication for 3 months last year but drank throughout and eventually gave up as I thought I could beat it by using alcohol as an incentive. But things don't work that way and I'm willing to give this a good shot.
I'm well aware that drinking certainly does not go hand in hand with this medication, but I'm not sure what you mean by "dangerous"....as in doing something crazy if you're drunk?

bug

Unregistered wrote: »

Probably not! But I will soon....

I actually started on medication for 3 months last year but drank throughout and eventually gave up as I thought I could beat it by using alcohol as an incentive. But things don't work that way and I'm willing to give this a good shot.
I'm well aware that drinking certainly does not go hand in hand with this medication, but I'm not sure what you mean by "dangerous"....as in doing something crazy if you're drunk?

Tell them your doctor suspects Gout?

Or someone I know had latent TB which involved them being on medication for 6 months but that's probably a bit much.

Go with Gout.

dudara

Tell them that you are
(a) in training
(b) trying to lose weight
(c) off the gargle for medical reasons.

Reason a is probably the best long-term. Good luck with it.

CaptainSkidmark

i was on medication for the exact same thing. i didint give up drink totally, i went out one night a week and drink 2or 3 pints. rather than going out 3 nights and drinking a crazy load of vodka and cider.

my mates were supportive and understood.

what medication are you on? i was on paraxitie(prozac)

it sorted me out but its hell coming off it to be honest, it took me 4 months to come off it after only being on it for 6 monthS!

caff

Might use the explanation that the medication is for a liver condition.

Monkey61

Black Dog wrote: »

As to what to say to your friends. For me I simply told the truth. You wouldn't make up a story if you had a kidney complaint, chest infection or some such. This is your health and it is a very, very common complaint. Hiding it is only adding to your stress.

I would personally tell my friends - but that's just me, as I'm totally comfortable talking about my mental health problems. But if you really can't face it, then why not tell them you are laying off the drink for a while because you think you might be developing a bot of a problem with it? After all, being one of the heavier drinkers in your group it is well within the bounds of possibility that it is starting to affect you in a negative way.

I gave up drink for a year a couple of years ago and I was honest with my friends - it was depressing me, making me feel absolutely rubbish and making me act increasingly bizarrely so I wanted to see how I would get on without it.

Re; drinking on medication - really really don't. With some it just negates the effects of the meds, but with others it can send you absolutely crazy. I was briefly on medication this year that specifically said "Do not drink on this under any circumstances" - I thought how bad can it be? I want to go boozing. So I had a few glasses of wine and went absolutely crazy. Major blackouts, seriously scary as anything could have happened to me, cannot remember a several hours of my life and what I do remember is getting upset and basically wanting to throw myself into the river. So yes...it can be dangerous.#

On the other hand, you could just say that your in training for something, but hey, since you are sorting your head out, why not take the plunge in being honest with your friends? After all, you need there support now more than ever. If they are good enough friends, then give them some credit to actually want to help you in any way they can.

LegacyUser

Thanks again for the replies.

I'm fairly certain though that I won't be telling anyone about this particular problem. There's still a stigma associated with mental problems and I'm just not willing to take any risk telling anyone about it.
The training idea is certainly a good one but unfortunately I can't play most sports due to bad knees. But it is something I could look into in terms of swimming, cycling, losing weight etc

LegacyUser

Hi OP

I've been on lexapro now for over a year for panic attacks and an anxiety disorder.
In the beginning when I started taking meds I drank. My advice do NOT mix alcohol with meds.

One or two pints can seem like you've had 10 and I've done crazy things and turn into a completely different person when drinking on meds, its horrible and im horrible on meds / drink

There is a reason why the doctor tells you not to drink and take meds.

I told my friends that drink wastn working for me anymore and i needed to take time out to sort my head out, your mates will be supportive no matter what you decide to tell them and if anyone gives you hassle just tell them to back off.

In this day and age to take meds is nothing to be ashamed about. You would be surprised the amount of people in the supermarket, on the bus, in the pub, in your work etc are in the exact same situation as you.

In conjunction with the meds ive also been doing CBT for the last year. Its really really good. I recommend a book called CBT for dummies. Dont be put off by the "dummies" titles, its a really really good book and has helped me on alo over the last year.

I'll say it again but DO NOT mix alcohol with meds, ive been there, its nasty, it doesnt work.

Good luck and congrads for deciding to tackle your issues.

Paul

Prof.Badass

Your liver function tests came worryingly bad and you've been told to stay off the alcohol to see will it get better. If people try and pry any deeper, just say that you don't know exactly what's wrong with you. It's something to do with your liver and the doctor said if you don't stop drinking it could get a lot worse. If you ever get off the meds then your liver has improved and the doctor said you can drink again;).

afaik most anti-anxiety medication basically works in the exact same way alcohol does in the brain. Falling about the place after 3 pints will make them suspicious.

Have you tried asking your doctor, they might help you out. If they're in any way understanding they'll realise that not everyone is comfortable telling their friends, and that's perfectly ok.

LegacyUser

There are lots of medications and illnesses where it is not wise to take alcohol along with the medication. If you are not ready to tell your friends about your condition just say that you are on medication and can't take alcohol with it. They will understand and after a while they won't even ask. I was on medication for pain some time ago and was warned very strongly not to take alcohol with it. I didn't ask the reason but I don't take alcohol much anyway so it wasn't a problem. You might want to continue not taking the alcohol even if you come off the medication - remember clean living, no caffeine, no alcohol, organic veg regular exercise, etc. is now becoming fashionable so my guess is that not many people will raise an eyebrow. Good luck with it.

LegacyUser

Thanks again for the replies and for the advice to not drink.

vinylmesh - one question, what would be the symptoms of going for liver function tests in the first place? Or is it just a standard test a GP might do?

Prof.Badass

Yep it's a pretty standard test afaik.tbh I don't know what symptoms you'd have, but are they really gonna pry that much?

I have a friend who couldn't drink for a year and he just said he was taking these tablets for his sinuses and it was left at that.


Try the biology and medicine forum.

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=392

You'd probably get much better answers there.