tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post6324162127892183015..comments2024-02-18T01:56:38.508-06:00Comments on M.D.O.D.: My Rant Against Addiction as a Disease911DOChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-28757278591330799512008-08-10T01:58:00.000-05:002008-08-10T01:58:00.000-05:00dang...again, i agree wholeheartedly. i work with...dang...again, i agree wholeheartedly. i work with people....all of whom have been taught/indoctrinated that they have no control over addiction/behavior/attitude...& that they are continually the victim. <BR/><BR/>it's just nice to see there are others in this world wanting to do their work well that are fed up with how things are working these days.<BR/><BR/>: )ocmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02956221619397192854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-76416240119387853422008-06-05T05:16:00.000-05:002008-06-05T05:16:00.000-05:00I was really interesting i have felt it very well ...I was really interesting i have felt it very well about the addiction treatment and i will try to forward to my valued friend.rohanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571699003960426546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-21035979930762112042008-03-08T22:19:00.000-06:002008-03-08T22:19:00.000-06:00someone just tried to put an ad for their medical ...someone just tried to put an ad for their medical detox program in this comment thread. <BR/><BR/>summary, many people are 'addicted' to prescription narcotics. it's a problem. we should be aware of it and do better etc...<BR/><BR/>nice try at disguising an ad on my site steve. sorry, no ads.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-21793454035555680682008-03-04T14:51:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:51:00.000-06:00mark, as you know there are extremes of your disea...mark, <BR/>as you know there are extremes of your disease. you, obviously, are doing quite well. if you have ever been admitted for schizophrenia and been in a very strange place with the voices pounding in and unable to distinguish them from real voices then you know what i mean. <BR/><BR/>i do not disagree that choices that folks make probably impact their development of schizophrenia as cocaine and crystal meth and amphetamine abuse can create a mental state indistinguishable from schizophrenia. <BR/><BR/>also, identical twins have only a 50% concordance of schizophrenia so there's more to it than genetics. <BR/><BR/>congratulations on managing your problem without medicines and good luck to you sir.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-46656302494601222912008-03-04T14:42:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:42:00.000-06:00Thanks for your advice and the luck, I will probab...Thanks for your advice and the luck, I will probably need it! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-33574966597980064162008-03-04T14:30:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:30:00.000-06:00the problem with effexor is that, unlike the other...the problem with effexor is that, unlike the other SSRIs (celexa, lexapro etc...) it has a short half life. ativan, a benzodiazepine, is a different drug entirely but also has a short half life. the consequence of the short half-life (the amount of time it takes your body to process 1/2 of the dose and eliminate it) is that the medicine works quickly, contrarily, when you stop it your body DOES notice. ssri's were not thought to have withdrawal syndromes related to them but this has proved to be false. wanting to stay away from medical advice on this site i would still offer this, suggest to your family doctor putting you on an ssri that has a longer half life and transitioning you off of ativan to a benzo with a longer half life and tapering you to nothing. good luck.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-51831088638430378912008-03-04T14:24:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:24:00.000-06:00j,I'm not really on a huge dose, just 2mg a.m. and...j,<BR/><BR/>I'm not really on a huge dose, just 2mg a.m. and 2mg p.m.<BR/><BR/>Right now my psychiatrist has me weening off effexor. I could kill the man for putting me on that! He said to just ween off one pill a week and I went psycho.....literally! And then when I saw him, he said "Oh yeah, some people do have a hard time coming off that." <BR/><BR/>Ya think? It would have been nice to have been told. He's a real winner, for sure. I finally went back to my family doctor.<BR/><BR/>So one thing at a time for me right now.....thanks for the advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-71950687319133449212008-03-04T14:09:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:09:00.000-06:00conservative chic, benzos are a bitch to quit. you...conservative chic, <BR/><BR/>benzos are a bitch to quit. you are mostly correct that they should not be prescribed long term but it is quite common for the simple fact that they work. i would suggest to you that a large part of your problem now is that your brain believes you are addicted. if you are taking small doses of ativan, i.e. 2-3 mg per day, then physically speaking, getting off of them should be no problem. the mental part is harder. <BR/>cheers, <BR/>j911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-40219067498673640462008-03-04T13:43:00.000-06:002008-03-04T13:43:00.000-06:00I came across your blog through a friend and have ...I came across your blog through a friend and have been enjoying the discussion. I really don't have any experience with alcohol addiction/AA so I won't try and act like I do. I tend to think addiction is a choice to an extent. If I choose to snort cocaine and keep doing it, that is a choice. My situation is a little different though. I have a "mental illness" if you will. I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for 13 years now. I did not choose for me to feel this way. I was rather young and naive then and when I went to the doctor, he put me on an anti-depressant and a benzo. I didn't realize at the time that they were so addictive (Ativan) and that they shouldn't have been prescribed for a long period of time. So here I am 13 years later addicted to them. I do not abuse them or take more than I need, but I cannot skip a dose or I go into major withdraw. What ticks me off the most is that my psychiatrist should have known better. I find myself constantly worrying that if I take one "as needed" I may find myself really needing that extra one on a daily basis. It would be so very easy for me to just take another one to get the edge off, but my fear of addiction is too strong. That is where I make my choice. I find it ironic that my psychiatrist tells me so freely, to take another Ativan whenever I feel anxious, and I am the one fighting it for all I am worth.<BR/><BR/>Is it addiction? Most likely. Was it a choice? I don't know. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and Mark, it may not be able to be detected by a blood test yet, but by no means does it make it non-physical. If it is not a chemical inbalance, what exactly is it? Is it all in my head? I have had my share of crappy psychiatrists and experiences that are way too numerous to tell right now, and that is why I ended up going back to my family doctor. If it is not physical, why have so many people been helped by medication? It is all trial and error, granted, but many people have been helped by medication.<BR/><BR/> Now that I've rattled on forever, I will humbly crawl back in my hole. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and it's an awesome website you have here!<BR/><BR/> JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-86380603868214867602008-03-04T12:40:00.000-06:002008-03-04T12:40:00.000-06:00"but acutely decompensated schizophrenic patients ..."but acutely decompensated schizophrenic patients actaully can not distinguish reality from non reality so i they are not, again, legally or medically, responsible for their actions."<BR/><BR/><B>Legally</B> ,yes of course you are correct. I never heard it referred to as "medically" responsible. <BR/><BR/>I was talking common sense, if you can do the 101 things to get to point A to do action B and C, you must be reasoning fairly well,(or you would not reach your goals) therefore must be sane. This is from an unmedicated diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic.Mark p.s.2https://www.blogger.com/profile/10529811159862096782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-56163528377037774362008-03-03T11:01:00.000-06:002008-03-03T11:01:00.000-06:00dear anonymous, you had me till the last sentence....dear anonymous, <BR/>you had me till the last sentence. the truly insane are legally not responsible for their actions. the legal theory is based on medical evidence though it did develop before the science was there. but acutely decompensated schizophrenic patients actaully can not distinguish reality from non reality so i they are not, again, legally or medically, responsible for their actions. <BR/>cheers.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-88687157718631147112008-03-03T08:51:00.000-06:002008-03-03T08:51:00.000-06:00Just want to point out, mental illness is not dete...Just want to point out, mental illness is not detectable by any lab test, if it were detectable it would then become subject to neurology ( I think). It is peoples non-physical minds psychiatrists are attempting to fix with psychiatric meds/drugs.<BR/><BR/>Addiction starts out as a choice, but we all know it usually turns into a physical dependancy as well.<BR/><BR/>The word "Addiction" is debatable as well, if you are earning an income doing your job well and using whatever drug reasonably, is it addiction? Its only when the persons life goes in the toilet is it called an addiction.<BR/><BR/>That being said, the sane and insane are resposible for their actions. Both have reasons for their actions, not devils or magical chemical imbalances making them perform complicates actions such as finding , paying for and consuming drugs.Mark p.s.2https://www.blogger.com/profile/10529811159862096782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-24054486315580664102008-03-02T22:04:00.000-06:002008-03-02T22:04:00.000-06:00Mmmf. I'm in recovery, went the AA route, and it's...Mmmf. I'm in recovery, went the AA route, and it's been a little over 12 years now.<BR/><BR/>I don't believe that there is *any* one panacea to addiction/alcoholism, and have my wee doubts that the AA 12-step model applies well outside the specific arena of alcohol addiction.<BR/><BR/>Just as in the halls of medicine, in the halls of AA exist the "book nazi's" who believe themselves blessed of the one true path. In each case, I find them about as beneficial as tits on a bull.<BR/><BR/>I've seen AA help a lot of folks, and I've seen plenty of folks it didn't help. There seemed to be more in the second group that were court-ordered or were otherwise trying to please someone else, rather than fix themselves for their own reasons.<BR/><BR/>I found it particularly helpful in early sobriety, both the success stories (a hint that, gee whiz, there WAS hope and all need not be gloom and doom) and the failures (bad examples can be motivating, too - kinda "oooh, that doesn't look at all fun").<BR/><BR/>But just like penicillin isn't a panacea for all bacterial badness, the 12 steps aren't the answer for all addictive badness, and certainly not for underlying mental illness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-17317565370963254982008-02-29T22:25:00.000-06:002008-02-29T22:25:00.000-06:00zane, agreed.zane, <BR/>agreed.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-14518844113771614882008-02-29T20:58:00.000-06:002008-02-29T20:58:00.000-06:00Believe me these prescriptions were not forged. I ...Believe me these prescriptions were not forged. I am acquainted with a person, who received 120 lortabs, and 120 xanex every month, from this physician. She paid for them herself, because her insurance only covered a certain amount. He was only in the office three days a week. On those days his waiting room was overflowing.<BR/><BR/>This young lady, I am referring to is rather unstable. Allowing a person like her, such easy access to pain medication is inviting disaster. Fortunately it didn't happen to her, and she is now getting help. Others were not so lucky.<BR/><BR/>I believe the majority of doctors are doing the best job they can. I have complete trust in my own doctor, but then again, I have never been seriously ill.<BR/><BR/>A person is ultimately responsible for their own behavior, but everyone, including doctors, should refuse to enable them.zanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015588711363310567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-24453246043194541192008-02-29T10:31:00.000-06:002008-02-29T10:31:00.000-06:00if the story is as simple as you say, zane, then t...if the story is as simple as you say, zane, then those docs belong in jail or something like it. <BR/><BR/>consider these possiblites however...<BR/><BR/>a. prescription legally obtained for 10 xanax, zero added to the 10 to make it 100. prescription fraud is rampant. <BR/>b. stealing prescriptions from granny or grandpa.<BR/><BR/>given the facts you present though it looks like these guys are bad guys. we have one in our town too.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-39608216475847543762008-02-29T00:05:00.000-06:002008-02-29T00:05:00.000-06:00I live in a small town,population less than 15,000...I live in a small town,population less than 15,000.The biggest news around town these days is this. Three very young people died, within an eight hour period. All three died from a combination of methadone, lortab, and xanax. All three had prescriptions, from a well known local physician.He and two other physicians are now under investigation, for a large number of such deaths, in the last year.<BR/><BR/>That is only the beginning. The mayor has said the city is declaring war on physicians, who abuse the privilege to prescribe drugs. One person had a bottle, which had contained 360 pills. The bottle was almost empty. One of these docs attempted to throw the sheriff, who was asking questions, out of his office.<BR/><BR/>Only one physician has actually been identified, but everyone knows who the others are.Many addicts are enabled by their doctors. It's true enough they are not taking responsibility for themselves, but these doctors should know better.<BR/><BR/>One of these guys is probably going to be charged with manslaughter.zanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015588711363310567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-61021637815361977672008-02-23T01:04:00.000-06:002008-02-23T01:04:00.000-06:00yeah, i'm thinking about the guy who re-presents w...yeah, i'm thinking about the guy who re-presents within two days after getting off a nac infusion with ... drum roll ... another paracetamol overdose because of x y z. the words "external locus of control" was used like an insult in case meetings.<BR/><BR/>no discussion of axis II vs. mental illness. i'm staying wayyyy away from that. i don't have your brass balls, 911doc, but i'd like to know where to get some. ebay?doctor trousershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16141019211568306973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-72826212118942742262008-02-22T19:39:00.000-06:002008-02-22T19:39:00.000-06:00lol can you imagine applying the "external locus o...lol can you imagine applying the "external locus of control" model to a psychotic individual?<BR/>"I know doc, the voices tell me that already..."<BR/><BR/>or to the suicidal person: "So, are you telling me that it's okay for me to off myself?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-38174562328504563452008-02-22T18:36:00.000-06:002008-02-22T18:36:00.000-06:00doctor trousers, bingo with an exeption. i take it...doctor trousers, <BR/>bingo with an exeption. i take it you mean 'mental illness' in terms of axis 2 disorders and the like? otherwise i think encouraging an external locus of control is poison.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-62571047066383076452008-02-22T18:33:00.000-06:002008-02-22T18:33:00.000-06:00i don't understand why we criticise people with me...i don't understand why we criticise people with mental illnesses when they have an external locus of control, but encourage it for treating addiction?doctor trousershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16141019211568306973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-49521410733929125672008-02-22T16:06:00.000-06:002008-02-22T16:06:00.000-06:00traditional teaching that i agree with is this (ol...traditional teaching that i agree with is this (oldfart has made a challenge as you can read above which has not been answered yet). <BR/><BR/>addiction is an emergency sometimes because people get shot or stabbed or overdosed because of their abuse of substances. otherwise it is an emergency when the 'addict' becomes suicidal. <BR/><BR/>withdrawal is another matter. traditional teaching is that severe alcohol withdrawal can kill you and that benzodiazepine (valium and the like) withdrawal can kill you, both through similar mechanisms. <BR/><BR/>heroin and opiate withdrawal is unpleasant but not medically dangerous. you get flu like symptoms and start jonesin' for a fix. <BR/><BR/>overdoses of just about anything, including water, can kill you.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-81309597701109442342008-02-22T16:00:00.000-06:002008-02-22T16:00:00.000-06:00I think Brittney Spears should look into euthanasi...I think Brittney Spears should look into euthanasia; save us all some brain cells. One simple question, when did addiction become an 'emergency' anyway? I thought addiction was a 'chronic' issue. : )bitterERRNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14600678554700380954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-58900333465318945892008-02-22T06:39:00.000-06:002008-02-22T06:39:00.000-06:00About the "disease" model. I don't understand why ...About the "disease" model. I don't understand why we apply it to alcohol or meth, but not nicotine. The regimen for nicotine cessation is replacement. Chantix, which people seem to love, doesn't require immediate cessation. <BR/><BR/>There's a multimonth step down program for the gum, patch, and lozenges. <BR/><BR/>This is every bit as unhealthy, dangerous, and detrimental, but we don't apply the AA or NA logic to this. Why?<BR/><BR/>If quitting smoking or chew involves replacing your nicotine in a controlled fashion, why does this not continuously reawaken the supposed demon out of control?<BR/><BR/>I am but one person, but I quit using chew after 10 years of fairly heavy use. It fucking blows. But I tried the just outright quitting thing and it's hard. With NRT, I had significantly less withdrawl and difficulty in mainting nicotine free habits. <BR/><BR/>It would be a very bad idea to try some chew again, but I know I could smoke a cigar, pipe, or cigarette right now and not be out buying a can a day of chew. <BR/><BR/>I don't see the validity in this disease model. Part of the breakdown in the disease model is that when you get a disease, you suffer and then develop and immunity. How the fuck is a life of AA an immunity for anything? <BR/><BR/>This ranks right up there with chiropractic care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24021163.post-25274488004544628202008-02-21T22:01:00.000-06:002008-02-21T22:01:00.000-06:00I have not read Dr. Dalrymple's book but here's th...I have not read Dr. Dalrymple's book but <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Opiates-Pharmacological-Addiction-Bureaucracy/dp/1594030871/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203652378&sr=8-1" REL="nofollow">here's the link</A>, I will read it.911DOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466669111561150174noreply@blogger.com