Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 699011

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

treatment with alcohol

Posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 10:29:20

Can it be possible for especially social anxiety and some depression getting little amounts during the daytime periodicly? What are your thoughts?

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner

Posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2006, at 10:55:18

In reply to treatment with alcohol, posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 10:29:20

Treating my anxiety has been problematic with alcohol. The effects do not last very long at all. Depression was definitely worsened for me with alcohol. It didn't seem to make any difference whatever if the consumption was really limited, or excessive. In the end, I gave it up altogether. Therapy and medication are much more suitable for me!
ClearSkies

 

Re: treatment with alcohol

Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2006, at 11:34:48

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner, posted by ClearSkies on October 30, 2006, at 10:55:18

A little leads to a lot pretty fast. Have you been on meds? If so what? Maybe a change is in order. Love Phillipa

 

Re: treatment with alcohol

Posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 12:18:06

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2006, at 11:34:48

> A little leads to a lot pretty fast. Have you been on meds? If so what? Maybe a change is in order. Love Phillipa

Yes I am on tianeptine now.It is working usually well. But sometimes I need something else for relaxation. I don't want to use clonozepam or something like that. I tried some likör(25 percent alcohol) during the day for two days and it made me much relaxed, happy and cool. Of course I don't know If It is a good idea in long term. Maybe little doses alcohol help for relaxation and social anxiety. I am not sure.

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner

Posted by yxibow on October 30, 2006, at 17:48:40

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol, posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 12:18:06

> > A little leads to a lot pretty fast. Have you been on meds? If so what? Maybe a change is in order. Love Phillipa
>
> Yes I am on tianeptine now.It is working usually well. But sometimes I need something else for relaxation. I don't want to use clonozepam or something like that. I tried some likör(25 percent alcohol) during the day for two days and it made me much relaxed, happy and cool. Of course I don't know If It is a good idea in long term. Maybe little doses alcohol help for relaxation and social anxiety. I am not sure.


Actually PRN benzodiazepines are FAR more safer than alcohol and you would be doing yourself a favour if you and your doctor could give you a small, say 30 pill .5mg or whatever of Xanax, to take occasionally during the month to relax yourself, but not take it two days in a row or one pill a day.


Alcohol, while also moderating GABA, and additionally dopamine, hence the euphoria, will lead to hangovers and depression especially if you have any tendency to it.


Any competent psychopharmacologist will tell you this. And considerable consumption over time will lead to cirrhosis, and your liver is fairly important to keep I would think.


This isn't a teetotaler response, if you're not on any significant amounts of CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and lots of psychiatric medications at any rate), there's no reason you can't enjoy a beer or whatever like the "rest of society." Just be careful about it and be doubly sure why you're doing it. Yes -- everyone at bars drinks because they're too afraid to go up to the opposite (or same) sex to talk to them, but that is why people get soused at clubs, and regularly doing this (daily, i.e.) will cause liver damage.

On the naturopathic side, another liver damager that should only be taken very rarely, is Kava. It also has strong liver issues.

But I'm telling you that a short term use of Xanax, Ativan, or any of them out there is much better than 50 proof alcohol, for a panic attack. Period. If you seriously do for whatever reason not like benzodiazepines (which have a 50 year track record), then the only other thing I can recommend is the beta blocker propranolol -- your doctor will have to adjust the dose accordingly so your pulse doesn't fall much below 60. It blocks the effects of anxiety without getting to the root cause as benzodiazepines do more.


-- tidings

Jay

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » yxibow

Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2006, at 18:14:56

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner, posted by yxibow on October 30, 2006, at 17:48:40

Jay what do you mean that benzos get at the root cause? I thought they were like a bandaid? Love Phillipa

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » Phillipa

Posted by yxibow on October 31, 2006, at 0:43:59

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2006, at 18:14:56

> Jay what do you mean that benzos get at the root cause? I thought they were like a bandaid? Love Phillipa

Okay, the root cause is biological almost entirely and as far as we know fairly genetic. But if we step beyond that, I was referring to the root cause as in the firings of transmitters.

A real root cause is something only found deep within psychotherapy or the like.

But what I really meant is that benzodiazepines modulate GABA and actually, yes, like a bandaid in a way, stop the relative essence of anxiety itself. The off label use of non cardioselective beta blockers address peripheral functions, primitive brainstem impulses that create sweating, autonomic responses, hand tremors, etc., rather than modulating a neurotransmitter GABA.

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner

Posted by ed_uk on October 31, 2006, at 13:15:50

In reply to treatment with alcohol, posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 10:29:20

>Can it be possible for especially social anxiety and some depression getting little amounts during the daytime periodicly?

Only if you use it occasionally. You would have to monitor yourself very closely. Occasional use can very easily turn into regular use. If you know that you have addictive tendencies, I would strongly avoid attempting to self-medicate with alcohol. Under no circumstances should you attempt to maintain the effects of alcohol throughout the day by taking repeated doses.

Ed

 

Re: treatment with alcohol

Posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 13:56:40

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner, posted by ed_uk on October 31, 2006, at 13:15:50

The problem for me is that Xanax etc doesn't control anxiety, whereas alcohol is very effective. Yes I know all the dangers which is why I don't drink except on rare occasions. The after effects can be anxiety and depression if I'm not very careful.

I think the kava liver issue was based on an isolated case, but I could be wrong. I drink 4-6 large cups a day, but it doesn't do much. It's more like a ritual I've picked up on. It dries the skin out after several weeks and makes the eyes sore, so I have to lay off it for a couple of weeks then
Fred

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » FredPotter

Posted by ed_uk on October 31, 2006, at 14:07:45

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol, posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 13:56:40

I'm scared of taking benzos myself. I've had awful withdrawal symptoms after taking benzos for only a matter of days. I've never had withdrawal symptoms when I've drunk alcohol (a few drinks a day) for up to a week then stopped.

Ed

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner

Posted by Bonnie_CA on October 31, 2006, at 14:34:20

In reply to treatment with alcohol, posted by foreigner on October 30, 2006, at 10:29:20

Me personally... alcohol makes my anxiety worse. However, I have GAD, not SAD. I've read the other posts, and benzos have a similar affect on the body as alcohol, so I agree it might be better option. Also, if you drive, you're unlikely to get a DUI on a benzo vs the definite DUI with alcohol. Not to say you CAN'T get a DUI on a benzo, but it's a lot harder to prove. But of course, do not drive if you have dosed on a lot of a benzo anyway (I have to reconsider driving if I'm on over .5 mg of Xanax). Also, the benzo might better because drinking alcohol during the day has such a rotten stigma (even if it's not a bad idea).
-Bonnie

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » Bonnie_CA

Posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 16:04:18

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » foreigner, posted by Bonnie_CA on October 31, 2006, at 14:34:20

The AA says alcohol and benzos have similar effects, but it's not my experience. There's no euphoria with benzos and I can't imagine how they would make you unfit to drive. I don't think any dose is going to give double vision or balance problems
Fred

 

Re: treatment with alcohol

Posted by ed_uk on October 31, 2006, at 16:14:51

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » Bonnie_CA, posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 16:04:18

>The AA says alcohol and benzos have similar effects

This is a very oversimplistic view. Although similar in some respects, there are numerous major differences. Benzos are not 'alcohol in a pill'.

Ed

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » FredPotter

Posted by Bonnie_CA on October 31, 2006, at 18:53:47

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » Bonnie_CA, posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 16:04:18

I've never gotten euphoria from either drinking or taking benzos. What I do know is that if I take more than half a milligram of xanax, I am loopy, and I do actually have some trouble with my coordination and concentration. But I'm relaxed as all get out! I would imagine I could be charged with a DUI if I took .75 mg of xanax. Yes yes, I know, many people on here take higher doses than that, but that's what it takes for me. I usually take .25 mg as needed.

-Bonnie

 

Re: treatment with alcohol

Posted by Lindenblüte on October 31, 2006, at 21:20:21

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » FredPotter, posted by Bonnie_CA on October 31, 2006, at 18:53:47

I told my pdoc that I was likely to have 2 drinks at night when I was feeling really anxious. The problem is that I was already depressed. Alcohol not so good for depression... He asked me if it helped. I said "yeah, but what am I going to do during the day?"

klonopin. .5mg prn for anxiety.

why?

because it's safer than alcohol. less likely to build up a tolerance than alcohol. becuase it's covered by my insurance. because liquor can be sensed by people (and smelled on your breath) and because it's got a much longer action than alcohol.

less abuseable, because klonopin not so much fun as alcohol. in 5 weeks since getting the Rx, I've had 2 beers.

why does feeling crappy make me crave alcohol? (easy it's 'cause of the euphoria!) but the euphoria wears off, then it's just intoxication and sedation, then the next day, my poor mind (already struggling to feel anti-depressed) feels bruised. not a hangover. a depression. ugh.

-Li

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » FredPotter

Posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2006, at 21:38:37

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol » Bonnie_CA, posted by FredPotter on October 31, 2006, at 16:04:18

Fred me either. Benzos don't make me tired. Now alchohol is a different thing as I never drank unless in my own home or an occasional party. But not one drink in l0 years makes for a boring life. Love Phillipa

 

Re: treatment with alcohol » Lindenblüte

Posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2006, at 21:44:46

In reply to Re: treatment with alcohol, posted by Lindenblüte on October 31, 2006, at 21:20:21

Li we're the opposite as klonopin leaves me depressed and beers don't. I don't know about hard liquor as I never drank it after my teen and getting sick and hung over. I know to never drink more than 6 beers. And today the pdoc said the benzos had become or I had become tolerant to them and thats why the continued anxiety and lack of good steady sleep. So she said play with both the valium and seroquel. I'll see. Love Phillipa ps Ed how do the two differ can you write it in Plain English and not with receptors other than Gaba as I understand that one. Thanks Love Jan


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