picking up some new-well old bad habits on this lexapro

  Ok so ive been on lexapro for 6 1/2 weeks and as I had kind of thought im not sure it is really doing all that much. I've been on it before and I knew that it didnt really do anything for me as I was able to quit it cold turkey with absolutely no side effects and was able to be off it for two years with no issues. I had a rough couple of weeks where i was desperate and absolutely going crazy and my GP put me on 20 Lexapro and ativan which I take in the morning. Ok so heres the thing... I just went to the store because i had an absolute insatiable craving for a cigarette...I haven't smoked in three years!! I just had my first cigarette since college...im also not working and I'm having these crazy cravings for alcohol. My parents are freaked out and my dad took me to a couple of his AA meetings. I had NOOOO issues with alcohol before taking the lexapro in fact I was kind of over drinking alltogether. I swear this has to be the lexapro and I am really concerned that im picking up these addictions. i only took 10 MG of lexapro  today and none yesterday I'm gonna get the hell off it and see if it stops these cravings. My question is...has anyone out there experienced this at all???? Its crazy. Also it has KILLED my sexual desire. Not only that but it has made me not even want to "snuggle" up with my boyfriend and I get really irritated with him. I'm just perplexed because he's something that makes me so happy yet since I went on the lexapro its made me almost sadder because its certaintly deteriorating our relationship. Sorry to vent but I'm kind of annoyed right now! I dont have insurance until Monday and I cant get in with my doctor til Novemeber so I'm in a rock and a hard place.

  Hi Superanxius,

  I too I'm on lexapro and have found the same thing as you are finding out about it's side affects, alcohol is a big one for me for I have found a craving for it nightly were before I could have a 6 pack last all week. I know this is not the best thing to say but also having CFS I have found that alcohol and pain killers (not together) tend to give me a boost were before I could not work for long at all and if I over did it working I would be down for days at a time and in fact years ago I had knee surgery done and I had a case on, if it wasn't for the pain killers I would not have been able to have framed in my home with in a months time, something again when I put my finger in a saw blade I was back on pain killers I became a workaholic while out hunting for moose we dropped 2 bulls were before my buddy would have to do most of the work for me but I'm getting off track on this but I have talked too others here that do have problems with there sexual performance mainly there lack of drive or being unable to finish.

   But I agree you are not alone on this one by far

  Cowboy up

I smoke like a chimney since I started Lexapro 3 years ago