Prescriptions, Addiction & Recovery?

Question

Does it make sense that a Dr. would prescribe Xanax to a patient who he knows has a drug addiction problem?

Also, my friend lives in a house for recovering addicts (supportive living). Is it right for the house to allow this drug too?

Please read questions carefully. I don't understand why he would be allowed drugs at all.

Answer 1

bad on the DR, bad on the house... RU sure he got them from a Doc? His program is not working if he is using again...

Answer 2

a doctor will sometimes give an addict a drug that he/she was addicited too.  Every week or month they take the amount and lower it 100mg or more.

Answer 3

Drugs can be used therapeutically by addicts. They just need monitoring.

If the doctor prescribed Xanax, it is most likely to suppress anxiety that would urge your friend to use illegal drugs again.  

Answer 4

I'm a counselor at a halfway house for individuals in recovery. Ut's NOT OK that they allow him to have xanex. That's a risk to the other clients. Something needs to be done.

Answer 5

Hmm...Nope, doesn't make sense to me.  I'm surprised the doc prescribed a controlled substance such as Xanax.  The doc could get him/herself in trouble with the DEA or something.  About the house for recovering addicts:  It doesn't sound right to allow Xanax; it defeats the purpose of helping an addict recover.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the type of drugs that he gets addicted to.  Some like the dopamine rush of coke or speed, others like downers and 'benzo's' like Xanax.  If its downers, then it might not be a good idea.  Xanax has a high profile of addiction.  If she's into dopamine bursts, Xanax could possibly help him get some rest and sanity, but I wouldn't use it for more than a month or two.  Apparently, withdrawal is a bee-atch.

Dunno about Valium (in the benzo family).  I hear too many horror stories, but I have found it to have good qualities without the need keep popping pills.

But If he must have a "benzo', try Kolnopin.  It's long acting, does the same job as Xanax without "messing you up", and has a tendency to be low in addictive traits.   I've been on it for a while, and I always have plenty left when it comes time for the refill.  And trust me, I like to have my mind quiet and calm during the day.

Hope this helps somewhat.  I can see how a benzo would help calm him down in such a situation, but careful to hide it from the others.  :)  Being addicted to one type of high doesn't mean you are susceptible to another type.

Answer 7

Well. I can think of one reason and that's when the consequences of not having the medication outweigh the damage of reactivating addiction. Uncontrollable seizures perhaps, Xanax would actually be rather benign compared to what they have to go to if conventional antiepileptic drugs don't work, and SUDEP will kill you a good bit faster than addiction.

Maybe severe/recurrent panic attacks - if he was abusing stimulants or hallucinogens those can be a very significant problem.

But I concur with above. Xanax  has the worst benzo withdrawal and the 2nd worst abuse profile. Klonopin would be a better choice. And perhaps his medications are being handled by someone responsible in the facility.

My personal opinion is only absolute medical necessity over the risk of getting a known addict going again.

Answer 8

Good questions. Doctors are  expected to prescribe something when someone comes in to complain about  a problem. If you read the PDR it clearly states that Xanex should only be used for a brief period not to be used longer than 6 weeks. I have never met anyone that only took Xanex for anything close to that-usually closer to 2-3 years.

But unless your friend told the doctor that he was an addict how would the doctor know? You say he knows but how?

As far as a half way house-those houses are only as stable as the people that are living in them. Often times if the household residents realize someone is actively using the get kicked out and loss any money that they have paid.

The other thing I was going to say is you would not believe how many doctors know little to nothing about addiction. One of the women I was seeing was a meth addict-so her doctor prescribed Adderall. (speed) go figure that one.

Answer 9

Drug addiction can be extremely serious. Many everyday people have lost jobs, family, friends, and loved ones simply because they could not beat thier drug habit. I suggest you find some help. Here is a site that has addiction information and a directory of addiction treatment centers so you can help. http://www.addictionselfhelp.com



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