Topic : Addiction Support

As a nurse with and advanced degree in neuro psychiatric medicine I would have to say that Zoloft is not addictive. Nor for that matter are any of the antidepressants that regulate sorotonin re uptake in the brain. That many people go on the drugs and stay on for years is based on the fact they have a chemical imbalance in the brain that cannot correct itself. In order for their brains to function normally they need an antidepressant to level out their brain chemistry. 

In my discussions with psychiatrist I have heard and found that some antidepressants are better than others for recovering addicts. Paxil and Prozac are on the downside of that list  Wellbutrin and Zoloft seem to work better for those in recovery. I personally take an anti-depressant cocktail of Trazadone and Wellbutrin which maintains my serotonin levels and helps to curb cravings. When I stop taking one or the other or both I find myself slipping back into my depression and the committee in my head so common to all addicts begins session and I am a wreck in no time. This is called rebound depression and is not a withdrawal symptom simply a very fast return to the previous state of the depression. So don't be afraid to try the Zoloft. Also remember that most antidepressants take 6 to 8 weeks to reach effective levels in your blood so if you don't see improvement right away stay with it for a while. Also therapy is an important component in this equation. 

Hope this helps 

Mischief 

what a relief, thank you so much for responding so quickly. i do not know what i would do if all of a sudden i had to go off zoloft......really, it is a scary thought. i sure could relate to your condition when you are not medicated !!! like me, when i'm off my meds, this leaves me with my worst enemy..."myself", and i'm out to destroy the only person that can save my sorry butt and that is me. i've not heard the expression "rebound depression" before, it is a good one , that is exactly what happens. i don't know how old you are, and i'm not asking, but my depression soared when premenopause kicked in........so many emotions, weight gain, lonely, hopeless, it all seemed to come crashing down....well, i think i've gone on enough....i just hope to hear from you or someone else who understands and can empathize with me................thanks again....."luka" 

me again mischief, 

well said !!! i am married to a (so-called alcoholic in recovery) like he's been in a "dry"drunk for about 10 years!!!! al-anon is the only place that i was able to finally take the focus off HIM and put the focus on ME ! i too am in recover (drug addict) have been for about 18 yrs., and let me tell anybody out there, the co-dependent is as sick , if not sicker than the "dry" drunk or the "wet" drunk. al-anon is a wonderful group of people, i can't say enough about them. the love and unconditional acceptance just blew my mind....and i had been going to 12 step meetings for many years.....and al-anon is exactly where i find my help. in fact, i've not been to a meeting for awhile and i'm going to attend one asap !!!! Mischif, what you said is right on the mark......... 

take care of yourselves everyone.........it's our own individual responsibility and right to do so ............luka 

tone6364 as an addict i can empathize with your situation....have you sought help in narcotics anomyous.......even a.a. if you do not have n.a. close by. there are phone number in phone books and newspapers. man, recovery IS there, and you have to want it more than anything!!! there is no way i could have gotten clean without the people in the 12 step programs. try n.a. first, and someone there will be willing to meet you for coffee and go with you to a meeting.....you have EVERYTHING to gain.......................also, go see a doctor, again, a member of na will be more than willing to go with you if you feel the need.....and that's ok.....go for it................. 

As I awake this morning from the depths of my soul I watch you sleep silently I pray to help support you on this painful journey called addiction I watch you sleep wandering aloud if today is the day I 'll have to plan your funeral if today isthe day I will have to say goodbye to the one I love,chreish and trust Is today really my last day ? No not today I cry and you awaken with new promises and a new light in your eyes but alas I 've seen this look before and before you slept last nite you promised what am I to do today to make you stay away from you addiction ? what Am I to do to keep the demons away? nothing but support you for I cannot battle the demons for you cannot hcase the shadows away ,cannot force you to stay .I am your support not you knight or queen or any one who can fight your demons for you  I am just your support for today tommorrow and forever and I love you no matter what I want the best and prepare for the worst everyday you go out the door  but I will remain here awaiting your return form the depths of your addiction will it be a good day today I ask you as you prepare to leave Yes you reply I will not use today  Ok I say you have my love today .When you return that evening  you have not used  or boozed this has been a good day but with an addict these are few and far between. I sincerely hope I can shed light on  this and I welocome replys to this post 

A friend of mine has for quite som time been hanging out with people who are doing drugs, among them her boyfriend, who, apart from doing drugs, has been very mean to her and told her that she's ugly.  

Until now she hasn't been doing drugs herself, but last week I heard that she had been taking drugs. When she found out that I knew this she felt very embarrassed and promised that she wouldn't do it again, only yesterday she did. Then today she called me and said she was going home, to her mothers house, because she wanted to stop all of this, but instead she went to her boyfriend. When I tried calling her she didn't answer. 

This obviously upsets me very much, because I love her and I don't want her to end up like those people she's been hanging out with. 

What should I do? I'm pretty much desperate,  so any ideas or advices are welcome! 

Thanks 

I posted here a few days ago, but can't seem to find it, so I am trying again!!! 

I need some advice on a very touchy situation.  I am the mother of a 16 yr old, who is very good friends with a girl, also 16 who is addicted to heroin, cocaine, alcohol.....and only God knows what else that we don't know about.  This girl is in real trouble, has been abused most of her life, watched people closet to her (her friends) take their own lives, her mother is dying of cancer, the mother's boyfriend openly dislikes this child....and I am at a loss at to what to do for her.  At her age, I too used drugs and alcohol to numb everything.....I totally get where she is and why, but my ability to help her is limited as I never used the "hard" stuff that she is.  I have thought about offering to let her live here, as her home life is a major contributing factor, but I am afraid that I don't know how to help her.  I know she needs rehab, and she needs mental health professionals (she has also been recently diagnosed with some kind of "personality disorder" and is not receiving ANY treatment at all. )   

She openly talks to my daughter, and my daughter has also told her that I know about this as well, and she doesn't seem bothered by it....as a matter of fact, she wrote on an online journal that it gave her "hope"......but then went on to say that she doesn't know if we can understand.  She has gone away for a week, and when she returns she wants to talk to my daughter.....I have told my daughter that this girl can come here ANYTIME, so I hope she will talk to her here.  I know she has trust issues, and I don't expect miracles, but I feel obligated to try.  I am sure that this girl will never see 18.   

Does ANYONE have any insight, and words of wisdom that I can use to help her see that she needs help????  She knows she does, but as we all know it is much easier to go back to the drugs.....recovery is the hardest thing she will ever have to do for herself, and she doesn't believe she is worth the trouble!!!!  Please, any help would be appreciated!!!!!!!!! 

Thanks, 

Tammy 

First, I'm sorry you had to write that all over again!  This board, quite frankly, has become totally dysfunctional and that is too bad, because at one time there was some good discussion going on.  I'm about to give up myself. 

I think it's great that you want to be involved in this girl's life, but please proceed with caution.  For example, you say she's welcome "any time" and she knows this.  What if her mom's boyfriend yells at her one night and she goes out and gets high?  Will she be "welcome" in your home at 3 AM stoned and yelling?  Would your daughter be?  Do you have other kids and would you want them exposed to this?  As well intentioned as you are, it could end up hurting her more with trust issues if she feels like you opened your home to her and then shut the door. 

One of the biggest problems is that, with addicts, you never know how much of what they say is true.  I remember my days getting drunk and high and, believe me, lying became so integral to my existence that I'd lie about what I'd had for dinner!  By the time I got into rehab, I wouldn't have known a true statement if it had jumped up and bitten me! 

So that's my first piece of advice.  Don't believe anything she says unless you've confirmed it yourself.  Are you sure her mom is dying of cancer?  Are you sure her mom's boyfriend is a jerk to her? 

The reason I think this is important is that, as an outside adult, it might be most productive for you to help her figure out a more stable living environment.  Staying with a friend doesn't count - she needs a responsible adult in her life who will love and nuture her, but will also set boundaries and be legally responsible as her guardian to see that she gets the help she needs.  Assuming you don't want to be this person yourself, the best practical help you can provide would be to find a home (ie, security) for her. 

Obviously, if her mom is really dying, a blood relative would be best.  Are there any other options?  An aunt, her bio dad....anyone???  Can you talk to her mother?  I know this might violate some confidentialities, but remember...this is a minor in a very desperate situation.   Dying or not, her mom is in a position to get this girl into some treatment - why hasn't she done so?  Is it financial?  Has her mom made any provisions for her care after she dies?   

It's hard to be more specific without knowing more about the situation, but as you guessed correctly, you are not going to be able to handle this, you'll make yourself nuts trying, and if she doesn't get help, I can promise it will get worse....much worse.  So maybe the best service you can provide is to do everything you can to get her in the care of a stable adult, even if it means leaving her current home. 

Another option is to talk to a school guidance counselor -- with or without the girl -- and ask about options.   Don't become a party to "hiding" anything, even if your daughter gets mad at you.  This is a child who needs help, and you need "help" figuring out how to get her in the right hands -- and those aren't  yours right now. 

I hope this made sense!