Citlopram for Gambling complusions?

Hi

I dont but Im absolutely certain that stress, anxiety and depression directly trigger compulsive gambling. Not everybody is an "escape" gambler by its more common than some people think.

When I was depressed I would gamble just to give me some feeling of highs and lows...Infact my counsellor agrees that I was looking for a loving feeling from a machine (that would only hurt me) and I was also playing for the lows. The money became a secondary factor until I was completely cleaned out and could gamble no more.

I would always recommend an appointment with the doctor and there is no shame in being treated for anxiety and depression.

Best wishes

I was on citalopram 40mg daily reduced to 20mg daily after 6 months then I stopped all together 2 months ago.

It definitely helped me with my depression and anxiety which in turn helped me give up the gambling.

Downside is they make you feel 100 times worse for a few weeks, I found it difficult to leave the house, would have vicious sweats and fever and lost nearly a stone in weight. The GP warned me of the side effects and assured me if I stuck with it then it would get better. Spot on assessment from the doc.

Hi @Katiecoo,

I am also a Gambling Addict with Depression and Anxiety. I was prescibed 20mg of Citalopram to help. The first two weeks were aful. I felt dehydrated and sick. It did calm down though after that.

The medication, coupled with group CBT helped me for a short term, though due to increased stress at work, I slipped into a deepish depression. Not as bad as some of my previous ones, but enough to require me to take a time out from my day to day life.

I craved gambling again, I saw it as an escape from the horror of my own mind, not really seeing that my mood was deeply driven by my gambling.

I swapped doctors, maybe out of a sense of desperation, maybe paranoia, maybe boredom....i'm not sure. I'm now on 100mg of Sertraline a day and feeling much more balanced. I had my first assessment at the gamcare offices a fortnight ago and I felt so "refreshed" having talked to someone, one to one, about my issues.

I guess, what my ramblings are trying to say, is that don't see them as a cure, they are helpful, but a combination of tactics...AD's being one of them, may help you move forward.

I wish you well though x

I'm now on propranol which has helped today. The worrying thoughts are still in my head but without any adrenalin that's all they are...thoughts. Citlopram didn't work for me as gave me night sweats. They did help with compulsions though, but dude effects were too much

Dude effects? Lol ...predictive text overload lol

My gambling downfall started AFTER being prescribed that awful stuff....it completely robs you of any emotion, and this in turn enables you to gamble harder and not feel anything. This was the worst thing I ever took in my life. I stopped hard and then wanted to kill myself. I still feel the effects of this drug, it has completely changed my outlook on life, made me a nastier person with very little time for others, any ethics or morals I once held are chucked out the window, seriously, this stuff robs you of your former self. I felt it was doing nothing for a long time and used to take about 10 a day just to get them over and done with. I wish I could sue the company whomade these every penny I lost gambling after taking these.

Depression can be an illlusion, life is, for the most part, completely unbearable, and death would be far more appealing...but I have got my dead mother into so much debt to fund my gambling that thats the only thing keeping me alive just now.

Mark my words, if a doctor prescribes you this nonsense, say NO. Look at your diet instead....try having lots more fruit, try yoga or meditation, watch boxsets of your favourite comedy. Do anything but those pills.

With respect Slotgrinder - and I'm no fan of psychiatric medication - people react to drugs in different ways. I'm sorry your experience was so traumatic but that doesn't necessarily mean everybody's will be. Like I said I'm no advocate for psychiatric medication.

Dear Slotgrinder

Thank you for taking the time to join and comment on our forums. I appreciate you have given some sound advice in relation to diet and self-care, however I must advise you to avoid advising on medication. I am sorry to hear what a difficut time you had on this particular medication, however, prescribed medication has different effects on each individual and what did not work for you may be helping others on this forum, and medication advice should only ever be taken from a qualified medical professional. I hope you understand the reasons for me clarifying that in this post.

Regards

Leigh

Forum Admin