QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

I have a close friend who is 19 years old who currently takes 50mg of Zoloft, for reasons of which I am unsure. However, each weekend, she also engages in binge drinking at a fairly severe level. I've seen the warnings on her prescription, but don't want to pry into her personal business. I also know that she goes for days sometimes without taking her medicine, and she has noticeable mood swings when she neglects her Zoloft. I'm starting to be very concerned for her safety when she goes out drinking. Is there need for such great concern? She does not seem to see the problems with drinking and not taking her required dosage.

Thanks. Concerned friend.

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

Alcohol seems to "neutralize" SSRI medications like Zoloft and Prozac while those medications are in your system. It's not directly dangerous like taking a benzodiazepine like Valium.

If she has mood swings off Zoloft, the BPD is highly likely. Those with the BPD absolutely shouldn't drink alcohol for many reasons. I tell my BPD patients that they are "allergic" to alcohol.

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