NickJames: Antidepressants and stimulants in alcohol recovery?

[NickJames]

 

 

Hello,

 

I guess I'm looking for anyone with similar experience to offer advice or relate experience. When i was in high school, I was lonely and stupid enough to try the alcohol and drugs my "friends" were getting into in order to sort of fit in, to be accepted. I was otherwise a non entity in my own life, totally isolated. 

 

Fast track ten years or so down the road, and its become apparent that alcohol is a problem for me! With support I have managed to kick my smoking and alcohol addictions, but just three months into sobriety, in the face of relentless and unbearable withdrawal and depression, my doctor suggested i start an antidepressant. I was immediately skeptical that this was any sort of solution, but given the pain i was in, I seized at the suggestion of relief.  

 

They worked, i guess, for a while. I became somewhat functional, but fatigue remained in a big way for me. So my doctor suggested a stimulant; Vyvanse. Already i could see the direction this was heading... what sense does treating the aftermath of alcohol and drug addiction with amphetamines and whatever the hell ssri's are, make? So after just 5 months on Trintellix 10mg, and 2 months on Vyvanse 20mg, I did a fast taper in utter frustration that I was being pointed in the wrong direction, one addiction substitute for another.

 

So my question is to anyone with similar experience; Is a fast taper after just 6 months on the prescription drugs too fast? 

 

I am three months now totally drug free, and I'm just suffering utter dysfunctionality. Fatigue, cognitive difficulties, anhedonia, low motivation. Does this get better? 

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.   

 

Edited July 21, 2018 by mammaP
removed mod note

[mammaP]

Hi Nick, welcome to SA.  Sadly we do see alcoholics being treated with SSRIs, and you are right, adding stimulants is going back on drugs but with a prescription  . Its good that you saw that but now you are suffering withdrawal when you might have been in a much better place of recovery without them. 

 

Yes this does get better but sadly it takes time. Your brain and nervous system have to regain homeostasis, and that means lots of healing going on. I once watched a doumentary about the flu, and it explained what all the symptoms were and that each one is healing the body and fighting the infection. It is similar with withdrawal. Symptoms will change, it might seem relentless but your body is repairing the damage caused by the drugs and alcohol. 

Each day is one day closer to being healed. There will be windows and waves, where you might feel a little better, followed by waves when you seem to take a step back.  You need to take good care of yourself,  and you sound like you are trying. Caffeine can be stimulating, and energy drinks.  Sugar is my downfall, too much and I feel quite ill.  Eat good fresh food if possible, and plenty of water. The only supplements we recommend are fish oil and magnesium. Fish oil is good for the brain fog and magnesium is calming. 

 

You could try a very tiny dose of trintellix, 0.5mg. You can get this tiny dose by dissolving a tablet in water, then use a syringe to get the tiny dose. Many people have success with the small doses and it might help you to feel more comfortable but it will take time for you to be fully healed. 

I hope you have someone to support you through this. 

 

WE ask all our members to fill in their signature with their drug and tapering history. You will find instructions here.. 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/12364-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

About reinstating

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

Making a liquid from tablets

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

Windows and waves

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

Brain remodelling

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1160-how-psychiatric-drugs-remodel-your-brain/

 

Withdrawal syndrome

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/603-what-is-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

[NickJames]

Thanks for the reply MammaP,

 

I understand most of those things you mentioned, i am an avid reader.. I can certainly understand the appeal of reinstatement as withdrawal is hell on earth. However given my experience i have no interest in ever touching a psycho active substance again in my life. I have managed also to cut caffeine and sugar from my life, these things certainly cause an upset in my system. I do the fish oil, tailored my diet (wheat and dairy might need addressing) and rigorously exercise 3-5 times a week, so i reckon it is simply a waiting game hence forth. 

 

Thanks again for the advice it is much appreciated! And best of luck with your battle with the sweet tooth, it was a sad day for me when I had to part ways with pie.

[mammaP]

You are doing great, and will recover in time. One day you will look back and remember this, and be glad that you had the determination to keep going.