Alchoholism vs. "Druggism"

[wiffleball 4,790]

So, recently this psycho nutjob hosebeast that I know pulled the 16 YO girl trick of swallowing a bunch of pills and then telling everyone she did it. (Pathetic - a cry for attention when you're damn near 40). But - She's always had to be the center of attention.

 

So, long story short, she gets her stomach pumped, gets time off work and revels in the fact that she gets all kinds of attention from therapists, analystys, group therapy, phychiatrists, etc.. And, of course, they put her on some hella drug regimen and she's 'happier than she's ever been'.

 

(this will last only long enough until she stops getting attention and then she'll go from manic to depressive - guaranteed)

 

She decides that her problem was that she was an alcoholic. Her ONLY problem. The truth is, Alcoholism was a symptom of a much larger problem. She hasn't fixed anything - she just switched from self-medication to prescribed medication. - That's one issue.

 

But the issue I wanted to ask about is this: What's the focking difference between someone who drinks to mask whatever issue they have vs. all this twitterheads who are walking around doped up on massive amounts of anti-depressant /anxiety /whatever drugs? - To me, they're not fooling anybody. It's one drug vs. another.

 

I've seen the effect of these drugs - and you constantly have to re-calibrate and re-prescribe drugs to keep up with tolerance and body changes. - Not much difference between doing a few shots of Jack and walking around whacked out on Lithium.

 

- Just curious what y'all think.

[Electric Mayhem 35]

Alchohol is used to numb the senses and 'get away' from real life.

 

Anti-depressant drugs are specifically designed to correct a problem in the brain where neurotransmitters are either too receptive or not receptive enough to endorphins.

 

One causes a problem, the other solves a problem.

[cmh6476 1,025]

i need a beer

[wiffleball 4,790]

Alchohol is used to numb the senses and 'get away' from real life.

 

Anti-depressant drugs are specifically designed to correct a problem in the brain where neurotransmitters are either too receptive or not receptive enough to endorphins.

 

One causes a problem, the other solves a problem.

 

 

See, that's the party line from the drug cos, but a number of drugs do nothing but fock with the levels of seratonin in the brain. Guess what? So does extasy. So do many drugs. that's why many of these 'legal' drugs are all the rage in the illegal sector.

 

I had a brother who spent the better part of his life on virtually every drug on the market. After years of experience, I came to believe a drug doesn't "solve" a problem. It just masks the symptoms. (in effect "numb the brain" - similar to alcohol) I mean that with respect to anti-depressant, psychotic, anxiety drugs - not all drugs of course.

 

I just don't buy off on the idea that Xanax or Lithium is the mental equivalent of say, insulin. And here's why: You can measure your insulin levels and prescribe appropriately. You can't measure seratonin and say, "well Bob, you're a quart low, take this". So, treatments are strictly subjective. Even the best Doctors will - or should - tell you this. If a patient feels happy, great. Otherwise, they just keep taking stabs in the dark. And that's where the whole "curing a chemical imbalance" thing falls apart. IMHO.

[TheNewGirl 1,489]

One causes a problem, the other solves a problem.

 

I would actually say that alcohol merely masks the problem, possibly in turn causing more problems. The drugs do that as well, however, they are usually taken to help with the brain chemistry that's all focked up. meds also generally work better in conjunction with CBT, and talking to a doctor on a reg. basis.

[Rusty Syringes 478]

I think you should take her to Colorado to meet your parents.

[Electric Mayhem 35]

If a patient feels happy, great. Otherwise, they just keep taking stabs in the dark. And that's where the whole "curing a chemical imbalance" thing falls apart. IMHO.

 

I'll ask you then - whats the best way to treat a patient that has an obvious manic-depressive personality due to their brian's chemical imbalance?

[TheNewGirl 1,489]

I'll ask you then - whats the best way to treat a patient that has an obvious manic-depressive personality due to their brian's chemical imbalance?

 

 

Or, a patient with panic/anxiety disorder, with a dash of depression and OCD...possibly bulimia?

 

Please, my appt is tomorrow AM, and would like to provide her with whatever I can find about drugs and if they do/don't work. I wouldn't like to take drugs, but at this point, after almost 4 years and other methods of non-drug/alcohol therapy, I would like to know.

[ILoveScratchTickets 0]

So, recently this psycho nutjob hosebeast that I know pulled the 16 YO girl trick of swallowing a bunch of pills and then telling everyone she did it. (Pathetic - a cry for attention when you're damn near 40). But - She's always had to be the center of attention.

 

So thats what happened to Sawilson?

[Q.Lazzarus 0]

As mentioned, there is a deep underlying issue. Alcohol is socially acceptable, there is still a stigma attatched to taking meds, although not as bad as it used to be.

[kutulu 1,676]

I can smoke weed without wanting a beer, but I can't drink a beer without wanting some weed.

 

[davebg 0]

I dunno...I definitely see a subtle difference between taking prescription drugs under the care of a physician and going on a bender under the care of Captain Morgan.

[edjr 6,580]

I do drugs way more than I should but I haven't stooped to bragging to people about it yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops

[davebg 0]

I can smoke weed without wanting a beer, but I can't drink a beer without wanting some weed.

 

I hear ya' on that one.

[kutulu 1,676]

I hear ya' on that one.

 

That settles it then...no problem.

[wiffleball 4,790]

Sorry, been busy eating Kennedy's brain. (see other thread).

 

 

Here's my point: (I think)

 

This chick has serious focking issues. Alcoholism isn't her problem - it's her symptom. Now she running around saying "I'm happier than I've ever been" basically days after trying to off herself. - Why? Because of the drugs. Pop enough Xanax and even Diick Cheney would do the snoopy dance. The drugs didn't "fix" her underlying issues. Those issues haven't even been ADDRESSED. Yet, they're a huge part of why she takes mood altering substances. But, sure enough, if you flood the brain with enough seratonin, you'll damn sure feel happy. -That's not a 'cure'.

 

There may very well be people with 'strictly' chemical imbalances. I think they're the exception. And I know that treatment is purely subjective. Even then, the thereapies at work today are medicate first, ask questions later. Hell, today I saw where they're talking about giving 4 MONTH old children and other unhappy babies prozac! (abcnews.com)

 

Having your mood rely strictly upon having to take pills or booze everyday to me is an addiction. I don't care if one comes with a prescription or not. It seems to me that unless or until you work on the underlying issues causing your depression, insecurity, anxiety, etc. the idea that pills alone are a 'cure' is a fallacy.

 

In this case, I damn sure know she hasn't worked out her issues. And, I think sometimes, taking the pills makes you happy, so you - sure enough - run around saying "I'm cured!" - and you don't pursue therapy any further as long as your pills hold out. That pallative therapy. It's keeping the patient happy and medicated - without fixing the problem.

[De Novo 0]

I can smoke weed without wanting a beer, but I can't drink a beer without wanting some weed.

 

 

[Chiefs04 0]

I can smoke weed without wanting a beer, but I can't drink a beer without wanting some weed.

 

 

 

Truth of the day...

 

Why is it when your coked out of your skull, you can drink 10 beers/shots in an hour and not be sloppy?.........so I hear...

[edjr 6,580]

Truth of the day...

 

Why is it when your coked out of your skull, you can drink 10 beers/shots in an hour and not be sloppy?.........so I hear...

 

Funny how that works.

 

I don't even like to drink, unless i'm focked up on a drug

[mjj 0]

You're right. The drugs don't fix the problem. While she's on them, she should be getting help to fix the real problem.

 

The drugs are a better option than alcohol because the doses can be regulated so that she can be weened off them over time as she gets better. The control is in the doctor's hands, not her own.

[TylerRoseFan 16]

TRF: I love... peanuts.

 

[pause]

 

TRF: I love... chips.

 

Sane guy: TRF, are you just looking at things in the bar and saying that you love them?

 

TRF: I love beer.

 

Sane guy: Do you really love the beer, or are you just saying it because you saw it?

 

TRF: I love beer. I love beer.

[brinett9 0]

How long have you been practicing medicine?

[ROBOKOP 0]

Wiffleball, I agree with you. People addicted to alcohol seem to replace the alcohol with the presciption drugs. This is one of more common forms of drug abuse today. Unfortunately there is too much power with the pharmacutical companies. Psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists all seem to be pill pushers. Any schmo can go to the doc and say, I feel depressed and get a wide range of pills thrown a them. Problem is there is no monitoring of the effects, adjustment to the meds, supplementary therapy. Some of the docs will even give people bags full of "samples" and never see the person again.

[kutulu 1,676]

How long have you been practicing medicine?

 

Awhile.