Weed and/or alcohol when taking Zoloft ?

[Samsung123]

Hey peeps,

I have had a really bad depression and been really stressed the last few years but I always kept it to myself. Now it has become so bad that I have had suicidal thoughts for a period of time. So I finally talked to my doctor. We agreed that I take one month off from work and relax. Also I was offered to talk to a psychologist, which I accepted. Also the doctor said that Zoloft could be helpful for me, but we can discuss that more on my next follow up visit at the doctor. I have always been skeptical with drugs like this, because of all the side effects. But my doctor told me there are few side effect and most of them are only in the beginning of the treatment.

Anyways so I have been reading a bit about this Zoloft and it seems that it's not good to drink alcohol or smoke weed when taking this drug. Can any of you confirm this statement? it seems that some people had no problems and some got bad paranoia. I really want to smoke weed/drink alcohol though, as Im coming to amsterdam this summer..

Has anyone of you taken this drug? and how was it? did it help with your depression? and did you drink/smoke weed? and how about side effects? I usually dont get paranoid when smoking though

Thanks

[YourGuru]

Ask your doctor!!!!

And do see if you can solve this through therapy with a Psychologist but remember cannabis increases mood swings...



Dude this is major stuff. I'm not a doctor but I am studying for masters in Psych. I also have depression and have taken Zoloft so I can answer your questions. First you must know that with SSRI / MAOI mood altering drugs, every patient will react very differently so my experience is different for my classmates, different from my grandmother, different from you.
I have two things for you:

1. Don't stress about this, you will be able to drink and smoke some, how much I don't know and wont speculate. But remember moderation is your best friend. The cannabis will not have as serious impact on the Zoloft's function so much as it will exacerbate your emotions. Alcohol on the other hand might interfere with the drugs availability to your system, which could lead to serious complications. Like I said, you should discuss this with the Doc but I will PM you about my experience when taking the Z.

Again ask the Alcohol / Cannabis questions to the Doctor, don't be timid, if you are in the US the HIPPO law protects you from him for telling anybody anything unless what you tell him is about you harming yourself or another person (which blazing isn't). I'm sure many countries have similar laws So ask away without reservation. I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to be completely honest with their doctors, it's the only way you're ever going to get quality care is by providing the data!


2. Check this out, it should cheer you up to know that there's a lot of us like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FomroPMO ... re=related


Sorry I couldn't be more help..

~Ian

[Boner]

If I was diagnosed as depressed I wouldn't drink or smoke and I wouldn't take any pharmaceuticals either, I'd go down the psychologist route first, good luck.

[Ash333]

Hi mate, I hope you are doing well.

Talk to your doctor, it is what he/she is trained and paid for!
I've been through some pretty rough patches in my life, and whilst I'm not going to go into detail, I understand that ones own pain always feels the worst. Try to count your blessings. Life is worth living, and these things do get better with time.
I'm not a doctor or a psych, but clinical depression is an illness, and it is treatable. There is much debate about the best way of treatment, but talking therapies are considered helpful by many, including myself.

[cantona7]

alcohol + anti depressants is usually a bad idea. no idea about the weed. see a psychiatrist first.