Could SSRIs Lead To Increased Alcohol Consumption In Some Populations?

Studies with both rats and humans show that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) lead to a short term reduction in alcohol consumption (AC); however, AC returns to at least baseline levels at the end of one week in humans. The SSRI fluoxetine (Prozac) shows significantly better results than placebo in reducing both AC and depression in Alcohol Dependent subjects with comorbid severe Major Depressive Disorder. However, SSRIs are not better than and may be worse than placebo in reducing AC in individuals who do not suffer from severe Major Depressive Disorder. In subjects who lack major depressive disorder it appears that SSRIs significantly interfere with the impact of psychosocial therapy on the AC of both women and individuals with Early Onset Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). I. e. women and individuals with Early Onset AUD who received an SSRI and psychosocial therapy for drinking showed significantly less reduction in AC than did subjects who received a placebo and psychosocial therapy. This suggests that SSRIs might potentially increase AC in women and in individuals with Early Onset AUD who do not receive any psychosocial therapy for their drinking. Further research is called for to confirm this hypothesis.