Depression Learning

does a high tolerance for alchohal lower the effectivness of benzo's

Question:

I was curious, cuz for the last 4 yrs i have been a heavy beer drinker and have developed a relatively high tolerance.   i also have been feeling a lot of anxiety and depression a lot of my life.  i recently quit drinking to see if the medicines will work better.  i currently take zoloft and lorazepam. the anti anxiety drug seems to help just a little , but i really cant tell much of an effect when i take it.  just curious

Response:

dsmit124 wrote : I was curious, cuz for the last 4 yrs i have been a heavy beer drinker and have developed a relatively high tolerance.   i also have been feeling a lot of anxiety and depression a lot of my life.  i recently quit drinking to see if the medicines will work better.  i currently take zoloft and lorazepam. the anti anxiety drug seems to help just a little , but i really cant tell much of an effect when i take it.  just curious

Hi dsmit, BTW, I’m in Columbus too (ohio that is, there is more than one Columbus) Good going at stopping the drinking.  I self medicated with alcohol before I got on prescribed medication..Alcohol is probably the worst thing you take if you are depressed.  It is a depressant, and just exacerbates your depression. Even if it makes you feel good initially, the overall effects are really bad. Also, I think it is dangerous to drink with Lorazepam.  If I am wrong about this, I’m sure someone else in the ng will correct me on that.  I believe it is a benzo, and alcohol and benzos are not good to mix. I have personally found that since I was put on Xanax for anxiety, I have completely lost any desire to drink.  I had a margarita a few weeks ago (I wasn’t taking the Xanax) and you know, I didn’t even finish it.  I was trying to achieve peace and calmness through drinking, but I didn’t find any that way.  I found it in the Xanax, so I have absolutely no need for alcohol any longer. Dry out awhile, and then if you think your meds aren’t working well enough for you then make an appointment with your doctor for a medication change.  You need to know how much of the anxiety and depression you are feeling is really you – or if it’s a side effect of withdrawing from the drinking.  That would be my guess.. I could be wrong about that, it could be you need a med change now to help you through the transition.  Someone here in the newsgroup will be able to give you a definite answer about that I am sure.  But I do know one thing… you need not to drink if you truly are ready to get better.  Alcohol is terrible for mood disorders. Sara    ^..^< Anxiety, I can’t get nothin done Anxiety destroys all the fun – Pat Benetar

Response:

What in the world is ‘alchohal’ ??? Artie

Response:

What in the world is ‘alchohal’ ??? Artie

A hall where people band together for the copious drinking of alcohol. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Sounds about right to me…lol! smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What in the world is ‘alchohal’ ??? Artie A hall where people band together for the copious drinking of alcohol. P.

Response:

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