Binge Drinking on SSRIs Shown to "Not Even Be That Bad"

In a modern world full of stressors like imminent climate change, a rapidly collapsing economy, and that weird pain you have on your side, it is no wonder that 13% of Americans are currently prescribed SSRIs. SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are common drugs that are used to treat anxiety, depression, and various other mental disorders. Generally, it is not recommended to combine alcohol and SSRIs, as there are many accompanying risks such as counteracting treatment, worsened side effects, and impaired judgement. Despite these considerations, however, many still choose to combine the two.  

Many UW students claim that the combination can even be beneficial, including this third-year pre-med student who claims that “it’s good stress relief. What’s worse? Serotonin syndrome or looking like a narc loser who can’t drink a brew?” When asked if he knew what serotonin syndrome was, he answered, “hell no, I’m not some dork ass nerd. Sounds like a good time if anything, and isn’t serotonin the whole point of the drug?” When pushed further on the subject, he got frustrated and stormed off. It is worth noting that one symptom of serotonin syndrome is agitation.  

Other students claim that, contrary to popular research, it does not seem to worsen their preexisting symptoms and even claims that the combination alleviates them. One undeclared first-year told Off Leash, “they say it worsens anxiety and depression, but tell that to my butt when I send a drunk picture of it to that one TA that has totally been giving me fuck-me eyes.” The student has since been expelled, but we at Off Leash think the TA is just playing hard to get.  

Some note that it can be a good penny-pinching tactic. “It’s honestly a life hack. The Zoloft makes me a lightweight, so I only need two shots and I'm already ready to make out with a 3.”  

Ultimately, Off Leash News cannot endorse any mixing of drugs (besides washing down the Odegaard Plan B’s with a cheeky four loko), but we recognize there is an undeniable general disregard for the dangers involved in mixing SSRIs and alcohol. Though these students’ choices are medically ill-advised, students have found a plethora of personal benefits. They have revealed in a greater sense that perhaps a happy but short life is better than one that is long and loserish.