See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests

Clearly addiction is a brain disorder, that - like depression - has many factors leading to its cause. We don't exactly know why ECT works for mood disorders and why it doesn't work for addiction. My best guess is that the circuits in the brain involved in addiction are not sensitive to the effects of ECT, like those circuits involved in mood disorders. The same could be said for other brain disorders like anxiety, ADHD and eating disorders, which are not responsive to ECT. Unfortunately in 2012, there are many questions that remain to be answered.
View Thread

That being said, one has a better chance of successful treatment of addiction if one does not have a severe depression. Addiction itself can cause depression, but the treatment for that type of depression is support and sobriety, not ECT or medications.
If the depression is unrelated to the use of alcohol or drugs, ECT could be helpful in getting that person into a place where he/she would be able to get the most out of addiction treatment.View Thread

I know of no way to access memories lost due to alcohol-induced amnesia, i.e. blackout. The important point now is to assess your health and ensure you are stable.
Also, alcohol-induced amnesia may be a warning sign to look for other alcohol-related problems in a person's life. It would seem reasonable to talk with your primary MD about this as well, and if your doctor is not experienced in it, ask him/her or other trusted people in your life for the name of a person who may know about such medical consequences of alcohol.
There is help for you - please take care.View Thread

Many people have gone through having a significant other become lost to addiction and/or psychiatric illness, and they have come out on the other side in a better place.
First, I would recommend you get involved with local Al-Anon groups. Also, many local chemical dependency programs will have family programs available to help.
Second, it is difficult to say if your wife has a psychiatric disorder outside of her drinking/Klonopin usage, for these will cause depression and cycling of one's moods. If not doing so already, seeing an addiction psychiatrist who has the knowledge about her usage of substances would be an option as would getting her into an alcohol/drug treatment center that can evaluate these mood swings, detox her if needed and promote sobriety. However, it sounds like she will not go willingly. In that case, an interventionist can help, if that is the appropriate course to take.
I think you can't control her but do care about her. Take care of yourself, then maybe she will come around.
Best wishes.View Thread

View Thread

Also a word of caution: The medications you report taking are strong medications that need a doctor's guidance. Also, obtaining scheduled medications (the ones you report taking) without a prescription from a properly licensed MD is a crime in the United States. I'm just throwing this out there so you don't find yourself in a worse situation.View Thread


In response to your second question: Hydrocodone itself doesn't cause liver problems, but the Tylenol often combined with it does, with prolonged and/or high dose usage.
There are no antidepressants that work like opioids do, i.e. on specific opioid receptors, and conversely there are no opioids that work as clear antidepressants. If you do have ADHD, there are medications similar to cocaine - such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall) — that are used to treat this condition. If a person does not have a substance use disorder and does have ADHD, these are medications your physician might consider. It is possible for some people with low-grade depression from ADHD to feel improvement of mood/motivation with these medications.
That being said, if your mood is unrelated to ADHD and you have a low-grade depression, other medications might help if you work with a psychiatrist. However, other treatments can also help and should not be forgotten, including psychotherapy, exercise and various forms of meditation/relaxation therapy.View Thread
See Related Mental Health Communities
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Other Substance Abuse Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.



