Posted by hadleigh71 on April 15, 2005, at 13:53:56
Thank you for your time Dr.Roth and to Dr.Bob for supporting this forum.
I'm quite surprised with all the discussion that normally takes place here in regards to opiates that no one has chimed in with the $64,000 question.
I understand Dr.Bob's and the mental health communities position on the use of opiates as their addiction potential is immense and most with mental health issuses have problems with compliance. I have also read Dr.Bob's position as to why they shouldn't be used :
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59892.html
Let me begin by stating I am currently taking Zoloft 50 mg and Klonopin 1 mg for social anxiety and depression along with a small dose of Sam-e 200 mg and have had a good response to these medications, I also walk daily with this giving me much benefit. I happened into opiates after my Gall Bladder surgery (Vicodin) and noticed an immediate improvement in my outlook and social functioning after a weeks worth of useage and the euphoria wore off, I also have migraines and found they helped as well and have been taking two a day (1/2 4 X day) for the last two years. I haven't needed to increase doseage to keep the therapeutic effect. I am doing much better than I was before I started but still slip back into old patterns irregardless. Vicodin is by no means the silver bullet as its addition has only improved my overall response slightly. I would like to add before Vicodin I was actively suicidal and that has now been tamed and caged but has not completely left me as I know it never will.
My question to you is should they have a place in mental health treatment or is their addiction potential too enormous. Is there any interest in the field considering how many get such a positive response from them. I know it seems silly to ask an addiction specialist this question but you must be a special breed to be willing to come here and help up this way.
Thank you
poster:hadleigh71
thread:484714
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20050323/msgs/484714.html