Bipolar Disorder Support Group

All psychoactive medications (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiseizure meds, and mood stabilizers are some of them, and all of these are sometimes prescribed for BP)

...can have a very dangerous reaction with alcohol, because both work on your central nervous system, causing a depressive effect on the firing of the system...in other words, it slows your respirations, your heart rate, etc. The biggest danger is, going to sleep or passing out, and not ever waking up. But it also makes your judgement much less functional, etc.
Unfortunately, many BP's still drink, although they should not.

One added problem with Lithium is, that you should be monitoring your hydration rather closely -- if you get too dehydrated, you can get toxic side effects. And drinking alcohol dehydrates you.

hello,
lithium is actually toxic to the body and affects the kidneys - hence the bloodtests...... and alcohol dehydrates you which also puts strain on the kidneys.

I stoped drinking when I got on Lithium, I just went on vacation in Maine and met up with some old friends and I Drank and smoked weed, two things i havnt done in awhile and It just plain didnt feel good for the AFTER effects........

Now if your just looking for the taste of beer then i would highly recommend a Non ALcholic beer, they do just fine if your keen on the taste of beer like me. as far as liqure lovers go, i dont think they make a non alcholic liqure... who would drink it anyways haha.

I tend to black out and not remember. I mean, I have a pretty high alcohol tolerance. Like last night, I had 6 or 7 beers and was feeling pretty frustrated that I wasn't feeling a buzz. To my surprise, it knocked me in the ass later. I woke up today not remembering anything I did after 8:00. I found a fast food receipt and catsup on my seat belt, so i'm assuming I ate something. But I can't remember if I talked to my boyfriend on the phone, him coming home from work, really scared the shit out of me.

lexi, lithium is not toxic when your blood level is right....but it does get toxic easily, you have to be careful to keep it in balance....but if you're taking it right, it will not harm your kidneys unless you already have kidney problems, or taking something else hard on your kidneys.

It can cause thyroid problems, though, so you should talk to your dr. about how to watch for those symptoms.

Ok thanx for your help everyone. xox

My experience, I get pissed real fast and need to sleep even after 1 glass of red wine, a good cheap drunk I am...so I don't make it much of a habit, I am not so much fun with friends if I am a sleepy drunk! ha, ha.

Good luck, none is better than too much, you will learn as you go what works and what doesn't...my nursing opinion, just stay away from alcohol and drink lots of water prn...

Have a great week...good post.

Sue

gee your lucky i start drinking and next thing a bottle of vodka is gone :-S

if you will read the phamphlets that come with your meds and even on your med bottles it says that alcohol will make side effects to the meds, i dont think having one glass of alcohol is bad but dont drink alot! it can be very harmful! you never know how it will react with your meds and you could end up in a hospatial if the mix is wrong! be careful!