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I Drink to Get Drunk
Alcohol & Paroxetine or Bupropion
by Bogg
Citation:   Bogg. "I Drink to Get Drunk: An Experience with Alcohol & Paroxetine or Bupropion (exp90222)". Erowid.org. Dec 18, 2017. erowid.org/exp/90222

 
DOSE:
  oral Alcohol
BODY WEIGHT: 260 lb
I Love Alcohol

I have been on antidepressants for some years now, mostly Paxil, and sometimes Wellbutrin. They have done me a lot of good. And I want to start with a disclaimer: Wellbutrin (bupropion hcl) is a pretty touchy drug, and can cause convulsions either on its own, or combined with alcohol. The literature says that you shouldn't drink in excess if you take bupropion, due to possible seizure activity.

That said, I think the combination of these antidepressants keeps me from having hangovers, and makes the effect of alcohol a little different than it would be otherwise. I drank in my younger years, and had brutal hangovers. I'm in my 50's now, and when I drink, I usually feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning.

I drink beer, wine, and/or hard liquor. I drink to get drunk, plain and simple. I'm not a social drinker, and I may very well be an alcoholic.
I'm not a social drinker, and I may very well be an alcoholic.
I have cut way down on my drinking due to health concerns such as high blood pressure. My blood pressure is now normal.

But I still drink, on average, once or twice a week. I don't want to drive drunk, so I get as much of whatever I'm drinking that I'll need so that I won't have to go out. Then I drink. I like to watch TV and or movies when I'm drinking. For instance, three 24 ouncers of something like Hurricane High Gravity malt liquor, which is 8.1% alcohol, will get me high for quite a while. Or a couple of 40's, or a pint of whiskey or a similar amount of some other alcoholic beverage. I'm pretty big, so it takes a bit.

I don't feel quite the same as I did before I was on anti-depressants when I drink. For instance, I don't get that 'shit-faced' feeling where my face gets numb and tingly. I liked that, but the hangovers were terrible. Now I get really mellow, and any feelings of anxiety or guilt that I may be carrying disappear. I find great enjoyment in watching certain old TV shows, or science-fiction. I also genuinely like the taste of many beers, red wine, and most whiskey. I prefer to drink on an empty stomach as it hits harder.

After watching some shows, and maybe reading some Wikipedia articles that normally wouldn't interest me but are fascinating when I'm drunk, I take a nap for an hour or two, or go to bed if it's late. Sleep is utterly blissful. Dreams can be very vivid.

OK, now for some warnings: I am an addictive personality, and I fear that I will fall into daily drinking again. I went to AA, but I'm not ready for that yet. I was drinking enough that it was causing me marital and family problems. I'm not a violent or angry drunk, but it's not right to spend all your family time inebriated. I am now searching for a balance. Also, as I mentioned above, being on certain medications may really cause some harm with alcohol. I had high blood pressure as well, which apparently was caused by alcohol.

Please realize that I'm in no way recommending alcohol. It's a powerful drug, and has different effects on different people. As I said, I love drinking, but I'm also aware that there are very real dangers.

Exp Year: 2010ExpID: 90222
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 50
Published: Dec 18, 2017Views: 3,552
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Alcohol (61) : Combinations (3), Retrospective / Summary (11), Alone (16)

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