Curious...

I'm curious as to how many people who have developed the drinking problem are on SSRI's (Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, etc....).

I am pre-op and have been on SSRIs for years. I have also been in AA for over 16 years, sober almost 5. SSRIs are helpful in dealing with depression. Many people with drinking problems have comorbid depression, that often they are drinking to deal with. Hugs, Trish

I am on Lexapro. On SSRI since 1991. Addiction issues since 1970's. Thank God for SSRI's. I for one beleive you have to deal with medical issues in order to fully reap the benefits of recovery. Laurie

Can someone tell me what SSRI's means? I am new to the board.

SSRI = Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - a class of anti-depressants.

The reason I ask is because I'm curious as to how many bariatric patients that suddenly develop a drinking problem when they never had issues with alcohol before can be caused from taking SSRI's. Now, before I get flamed, I am not saying that this is the case with everyone. I'm saying it is a possibility. 2 years ago I developed this insatiable craving for carbs and alcohol. I had gastric bypass 4 years ago. I had never ever in my life had issues with alcohol. I recently found out that SSRI's can have this affect. I traced my prescription records back and the same time I began craving carbs and alcohol and busted a 2 and 1/2 year tabacco quit was the same time I had upped my Celexa from 20 mg. to 40mg. The cravings got worse when I switched to Lexapro. I kept upping my meds thinking I was just depressed or something, when all along it's quite possible that the SSRI's were the issue. I've started the weaning process. We'll see what happens. As I said, I'm not saying this is the case for everyone. It may not even be my problem. Time will tell. All I know is that I found hundreds, if not thousands of posts from people on SSRI's that developed drinking and carb craving issues and these issues miraculously dissappeared after discontinuation or lowering their dose. It makes me wonder if our bodies aren't metabolizing the drug the same as before surgery. Maybe after I lost the weight, I didn't need the drug anymore? And instead of going off, I upped the dose, when maybe I should have weaned myself off. ????

I was on Zoloft before WLS. 1.5 yrs after, switched to Wellbutrin(sp?). Alcohol consumption and tolerance has increased dramatically since surgery. And, although I know that carbs and alcohol should definitely be limited or avoided, I can't seem to get this under control. You raise an interesting question. Thanks