My father is an alcoholic all though since he's a functional alcoholic my mother refuses to believe me. Last year his doctor gave him Wellbutrin to help him quit smoking. It didn't help his smoking but he felt better on it and nicer to be around. The doctor said he had depression and kept him on it. A few months into taking it, while drinking, he snapped. He didn't hurt anyone but he was paranoid and argued. The doctor took him off it and put him on Lexapro. Again he was on it a few months and then because of his drinking snapped. It was much worse and he got a little violent, nobody was seriously hurt but the cops were called. He was taken off Lexapro and my mother and him decided he shouldn't try anything else.
I recently read about chronic depression (Dysthymia) I think it might be what he has. The symptoms sound right. He's miserable to be around I have no doubt he should be on something. Is there anything safe he could take with his drinking? Any advice would be helpful, thanks.
2006-12-06 15:40:18 · 10 answers · asked by Gypsy Cat 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Dysthymia often responds well to St. John's wort. After years of trying various medications without any real success, I tried it and the results I had were nothing less than miraculous. Finally understood what anti-depressants are supposed to do. It's available over-the-counter without a prescription, cheap.
I have no idea what the interaction with alcohol would be, but I would guess that since St. John's wort is gentler on the body, the interaction might not be as extreme as he found with medication.
2006-12-07 09:59:56 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being a recovering alcoholic myself and being treated for depression myself I can offer a little help..First Dad's got to get off the alcohol or no depression pill in the world gonna fix him.It ain't gonna happen...The alcohol is greatly increasing the depression. Dad needs to get in a program that will teach him how to not drink and what issues brought on the depression and then alcoholism. I see miracles all the time where people do 360's when they learn how to deal with the issues that have brought on the alcoholism. I personally use AA as my guide. Once we quit putting the alcohol in us the pills that the doctor might prescribe will actually begin to work...They are doing many studies at this time to figure which same first the alcoholism or the depression...All I know, is once the alcoholism is treated by working the 12 steps in AA, most people discover such great things about themselves that the depression goes away in time....Hope your Dad gets the help he needs...Hope your family is healed and Godspeed! Kevin
2006-12-06 15:55:50 · answer #2 · answered by sckreet 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression.. But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then. Helping you eliminate depression?
2016-05-23 02:44:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, the mix of alcoholism and depression is often a chicken-or-egg question. The best first drug, of course, would be sobriety, and that's certainly not under your control. Alcohol also immensely complicates the risks of any potential antidepressant drug therapy. I hope you've had what discussions you could in the family, and you might talk to your family doctor, but I'd also suggest you try Alanon/Alateen.
2006-12-06 16:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say but pretty much no The best thing is to go to inpatient rehab and then while he's there speak to someone about taking the medication. You cannot drink while on anti depressants. They are two very opposite things and that's why they interact the wrong way. Good Luck.
2006-12-06 15:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by Sally C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure he doesn't have Schizophrenia? The reason I ask this is because anti-depressant medication worsens the symptoms of Schizophrenia...possibly to the point of violence. He may have drank for years to mask his symptoms & because he's afraid.
My ex-husband wasn't diagnosed until he was almost 30, although he had the illness for years. Your father needs help & perhaps educating your mom about mental illness may help her deal with it, regardless of everything educate yourself & talk to a group like Al-anon (for family members of those with substance abuse issues).
You father needs professional help & you may not be able to convince him of that. Treat yourself well & know that it's not your fault...somtimes there really is nothing we can do but what is right for ourselves.
2006-12-06 15:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Ivyvine 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As you probably guessed, drinking is used for self-medicating. However it only numbs, and later depresses you even more.
I recommand 2 steps. AA. And then examining WHY he drinks... and working on that.
2006-12-06 16:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by unseen_force_22 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
probably not, he needs to lay off the booze if he wants to get better, and the end of the day its up to him, ask him does he want his family? and if so then this is what he has to do... its tough. I hope you and your family gets through this
2006-12-06 15:50:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow im sooo sry
2006-12-06 15:43:03 · answer #9 · answered by dusty l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only he can do anything about his drinking . he has to want to
quit.call the AA for advise .
2006-12-06 16:02:55 · answer #10 · answered by Shark 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋