"i was abusing alcohol for 5 years or so and was spiralling out of control. i went to the doctors on a couple of occasions and at first was offered only counselling. when i finally started taking sertraline about 7 months ago it changed my life. the first week in particular i struggled with the initial side effects such as insomnia and a strong &#039;spaced out&#039; feeling. the day i began taking sertraline was the day i stopped drinking alcohol and am now eating well. i have now been alcohol free for 7 months, my diet has never been so good and neither has my level of fitness. i&#039;m not saying that sertraline is the answer to all problems but for me it lifted a depression that i never knew i had and made we want to take care of myself again."