Posted by tygereyes on February 6, 2005, at 8:44:07
In reply to Re: OPIATES FOR DEPRESSION? » lars1, posted by medhed on February 6, 2005, at 5:34:08
If you're using the drugs you mentioned, any antidepressant medication will NOT work.
I am a recovering drug addict and when I was using, I was CONVINCED that medication didn't work for me and that I "had" to self-medicate to relieve my depression.
It was only after I quit doing drugs COMPLETELY that psychiatric medication began to work for me.
Until you're willing to give up drugs, you are not going to find a med that will work. Period.
As far as drugs not killing you, that is b*llshit. That's something you tell yourself so it is still okay, in your mind, to use drugs.
I have a friend who died from a meth overdose. I have a friend who died on Ecstasy. I nearly died from an OxyContin overdose two years ago.
THAT is the reality of drugs.
> I am diagnosed:
> Major Depressive-cycling/treatment resistant
> OCD (currently under control)
> Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
> ADD/Adult
> Dual Diagnosis-- History of substance abuse (30yrs.)
>
>
> Drugs that were prescribed for me:
> (in the last 30yrs.)
> Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Concerta,
> Elavil, Nortryptoline, Imapramine,
> Temazapam, Valium, Ativan, Klonapin,
> Cloral Hydrate, Librium, Xanax,
> Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox,
> (in the last 18mos.)
> Welbutrin, Adderall, Abilify, Gabitril, Neurontin, Seroquel, Geodon, Strattera,
> Effexor.
>
> I'm currently taking Welbutrin 300XR (for 6yrs.)and Effexor down from 300mgXR to 150mgXR. I like Welbutrin but I can't tell exactly what it's doing for me except that I don't experience side effects and that I would probally miss it if I discontinued it. Effexor brought me out of suicidal depression back in May 04 but I don't like the side effects. I'm numb in my extremities, profuse sweating (day and night), apathetic and tired, sexual... I tryed to quit cold turkey last month and had withdrawl symptoms. I'm not sure when I will try again, I am between pdocs now.
>
>
> My 'substance abuse', what I call self medicating, at this time is periodical and controlled. There are substances that I now abstain from, alcohol, cocaine, street heroin, tobacco (I still use nicotine as a nicotrol nasal spray), research chemicals, and disassociatives.
> I don't believe in total abstinence of ALL drugs due to my own experiences involving substance abuse treatment and 12 step groups. Drugs don't kill you, it's trying to find drugs- that's what kills you!
>
> Drugs I've used in the past 18mos. without a prescription or Dr.'s consent:
> codiene, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, valium, ativan, xanax, soma.
>
> Illegal substances in the past 18mos:
> LSD, mescaline, MMDA, LSA, marijuana/hashish, poppies- opium/tea, crystal meth.
>
> I know this is starting to look like it should be posted in substance use so let me get to the point. I want meds that I can rely on to make my life bearable on a daily basis AND I want to be able to augment these meds with the occasional vacation from life that opiates and benzos give me. Or the elation that I get from psycedelics. And the contentment of mind and body I get from cannabis. These are some of the things that make my life bearable, things I look foward to.
>
> I've drank 2 cups of tea and I feel great! Too bad its so fleeting. I have enough experience to not get physically addicted but I do find myself looking foward to my little sessions on the weekend...
>
poster:tygereyes
thread:453574
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/453923.html