Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

[Guest]

I previously sent out a message, but I couldn't retrieve the replies made to my post. I get a notice through my email that I have replies, but when I click on the http:heading nothing comes up. It is soo frustrating. I am new to this website and would like to have more control over my drinking. I dont drink during the day and I don't have to drink every night. I am taking Effexor XR and I was wondering if antidepressants make the alcohol harder to control the amount of drinks you have. I believe my drinking got out of control when I was going through a divorce, taking antidepressants and here I am 5 years later wondering why I feel that alcohol controls me. I use to be able say I will stop at 2-3 glasses of wine (depending on the event, etc.), now I seem to not be able to stop until I have at least 4 glasses. How pathetic.

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

I understand. My drinking went haywire when I went through my divorce. I have been through alot in my life, but some how this was a major trigger for me. You are NOT pathetic, you are just coming to terms with where you are with your drinking. Recognizing the triggers is important. Don't give up - even when you try and fail - try AGAIN and AGAIN - you are WORTH IT!
wellseasoned

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Your story sounds so much like mine. I too went through a terrible divorce. I started drinking about 6 years ago heavily and it just got control of me. I also have 4 kids and my 3rd child has bi polar/severe depressive disorder/oppositional diffient disorder. She was only diagnosed 2 years ago and completely medicated and treated last summer. It has truely been a nightmare. My way of dealing with her was the bottle.

I've been divorced for less than a year and just started this program last week. I'm taking effexor and wellbutrin. I'm dosing up to 50 mg of topa tomorrow. I'm doing so well on this program. It's like a miracle. I honestly can't believe it. Everything is better now and moderation is possible.

At least for me...this is day 6 and only on 25 mg of topa. I did not do the 30 abs but ordered a glass of wine with dinner last night and couldn't even finish half of it. I left a more than half full glass of wine on the table when we left. SHOKING!!!! A week ago I would have guzzled every last drop!

I have NO craving for any type of alcohol and was hoping to be able to drink moderately but I don't think I even want to anymore. I told my fiance that I hoped I wasn't becoming "dull" as my personality is a little flat right now.

Keep up your posts and your faith...you will come through it...
Hope

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Moderation drinking is it possible

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. The msgs. I received have already inspired me. I would love to hear more about the effexor and topa. I believe I would definitely benefit from the topa. I trust it is safe. Where do I begin to start the program. Do you do cds, hypnosis, etc.? I must that the feelings I have about not having drinking in control have made my depression so much worse. I guess that goes with the addiction. I just want to feel like me again.

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: Moderation drinking is it possible

Rose,

Download the book. Order the supps, order the cds, make a doctor's appointment to discuss your drinking and perhaps a chance at a script. Read, post, read, post, chat, read, post.

Don't limp in like I did. Do the program 100% and you will get results.

-Nina

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re Effexor and drinking

Hi there
I can tell you with absolute certainty that when I was on effexor (I was up to 150 mg at one point), I was out of control. I remember each day, around 4-5 pm, I would feel that trigger (I can only describe it as a manic episode) and I couldnt wait to drink. I can tell you, when I was on effexor, I was 100% worst when it came to alcohol. I know several friends who were the same way. Effexor is a very strong prescribed narcotic (apparantly one of the strongest ones prescribed) and gives you a hyper/manic seritonin burst that makes urges such as to drink - at least in my experience and in the experience of others I have spoken to- all the more intense. Looking back, I was absolutely crazy. Now I am on celexa which is much milder.
I am not saynig blame the effexor, but take it from someone who has been there, it certainly boosted my urges to drink!
Best of luck, hope to hear back.
J

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

effexor and drinking

I am shocked to hear what effexor does as far as your desire to drink. I am definitely going to talk to my dr. and see if she knows anything about this. I do know that Effexor is one of the hardest anti depressants to ween yourself off of. I have talked to my dr. about switching as I might benefit better from Wellbutrin. My dosage is 150mg. And, I must say I do have some struggles with depression. However, I was told that I am headed for early menopause and I keep thinking my hormones are just off. Anyway, I appreciate the info you have given me and I can relate to some of the feelings you had while you were on Effexor.

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: effexor and drinking

Just a note of caution...wellbutrin has had mixed results as regards drinking....some people have had decreased urges to drink while taking wellbutrin, and others have had increased urges. I was one of those who had the increased urges!!! Not to warn you off, but please be aware when you begin and note what kind of impact that it is having upon you!!!

Best of luck!
Kathy

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: effexor and drinking

I don't know about effexor, but I strongly believe in my case, the anti-anxiety meds I was taking also affected my attitude to drinking etc. I just wasn't as worried about it as I should have been. So I am now off those (with doctor's consent/agreement) and I have noticed I am in a different place with respect to looking after my health.

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

effexor and drinking

You know there is a lot of truth to that. Antidepressants do help depression a lot. But, there is a downside to them for some. I do believe that the antidepressants can take away some of that being more considered/more cautious feelings in you. I guess its part of how the meds change your chemistry. My husband said when he went on Celexa he felt that he was not as annul retentive anymore! I guess that's one way of looking at it. Fortunately for him he didn't have any issues with drinking with the Celexa. I did look on the computer last night and found quite a bit of info about how there are warnings against taking antidepressants with alcohol as it was noted that more and more people are saying that their drinking went from moderate to a problem. Unfortunately, I have not talked to a dr. yet that has said anything about mixing the two except for "its fine as long as it is in moderation". I was wondering how you now manage your anxiety?

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: effexor and drinking

Hi. Well it has taken a couple of years of meds plus lots of cognitive therapy stuff. Very similar to retraining the brain with this program. That is why I am keen on the hypno therapy. Actually I had a revelation about it all which I will put into another thread if you don't mind.

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: effexor and drinking

Hi Wondering -

I've been following this thread with interest. I have been on this program for about 3 months with the supps, wellbutrin and this board only.
My councellor said cognitive therapy would be a good inclusion. I did not tell him I was taking Wellbutrin.
I laughed in the face of exercise.
However - within the last few days, I have been experiencing stronger cravings and tonight I caved in and got a buzz from beer. Beer and I should not co-mingle.
I'm wondering now if I should scrap the Wellbutrin (75 mg per day) and turn my face into the whole MWO program and DO this thing.
Looking forward to your revilation.
Helen

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: Re Effexor and drinking

Kathy and Jen
Interesting you say you had increased urges while you were on wellbutrin and effexor. I think I felt the same way when I was on Prozac. Now that I have been on effexor for 5 days I have to say I've felt even less like drinking. Maybe that is the Campral talking, not sure, but whatever works!

Marcie

[Guest]

Moderation drinking Is it possible on this program

Re: effexor and drinking

Sorry that I might have been a bit misleading about my revelation - it is related in that I am now in a position where I care.

I do know that when husband spent 2 years on Prozac we ended up with massive credit card bills for the first time ever - prior to that he was obsessive about paying them off on time. I do think there is a relationship between the two. But I wouldn't exchange mine or his time on the meds. We both really needed it because our respective problems were very debilitating - I couldn't drive for a while and had to spend $$$$ on taxi fares etc.

So ... maybe you can talk this through with your doc? At least now you are aware of the potential for this 'conflict'? Maybe you can incorporate that awareness into your hypno?