ImReadyToQuit

I had a pretty bad panic attack from another relapse.. I went to the doctor to ask for anabuse.. He sent me home with paxil and klonopine..

My problem is alcohol.. Every problem I have in life is from alcohol.. It's plain as day.. He called to check on me, I actually took the prescribed klonopine.. I feel terrible, cant get any good sleep.. Not dreaming like I always do.. A zombie..

I asked him about the side effects from paxil, he told me "I've been prescribing paxil for 20 years and its a modern miracle".... WHATEVER... The thing I hate is, I really like my doctor, I know he thinks he's doing the right thing for me.. But I want a clean and sober life. If sober means having a panic attack here and there, or crying on my wife's belly sometimes... Or just being shy.. Thats who I am. What I don't want is to drink anymore and he doesn't seem to get it..

He knows how much I've abused alcohol.. He did however say "Well, if thats what you want, I'll prescribe it, but I don't recommend it, I think you will try to drink on it"..

Anyhow. sorry to vent.. I just can't understand how doctor's cant listen to their patients.

smacked

Might be good to see a doctor that is qualified in addiction treatment and prescribing psychotropic medications.

yeahgr8

As has been said go and see someone who is qualified to give advice to alcoholics/addicts...it is not your doctors fault, its no different to taking a custom motor vehicle to a standard garage and the garage giving you advice based on the motors they normally service...the works they advise might be ok for your custom vehicle, it might not...if you value the car take it to a custom specialist!

littlefish

I second that resolution...or third it.....find another doctor. The fact is that lots of doctors don't know a hoot about alcoholism and will throw pills at you. They think they are doing the right thing but they are misinformed.

Med schools don't really have any specific education for alcoholism: it's one of those out there and fuzzy topics that really don't give students any clear procedures to follow.

I would NOT like a doctor showing such little faith in me that he or she would assume I would drink on antabuse.

ImReadyToQuit

I'm looking for another doctor now. My goal is drug free.. PERIOD. And to stay sober.. I'm tired of the cycle of quit/relapse... I am fully intuned with myself and I KNOW I will not drink if I will start vomitting after I have one sip.. Just not happening..

I suspect he wants me on paxil benzos which counterdict the anabuse..

I just need it for maybe a year.. I cant get past the 3 month hump. I did goto a couple meetings, Im working on getting a sponsor too.. So I'm not looking for a magic pill.

Ralph99

Benzos can become extremely addictive themselves. There is evidence that Paxil causes alcohol cravings in some people. Many doctors don't tell you any of this for some reason. I agree with above posters--you need a specialist who deals with alcohol addiction, not a general practitioner.

AADavid

Paxil is an SSRI. I am on fluoxetine for my anxiety and depression. It is also an SSRI. I highly recommend SSRI's myself. They really help me in my sobriety and they are not habit forming. Look into it and talk to another doctor if you like. As far as the Klonopin (Clonazepam) goes, be very careful my friend it is very addictive. I didn't feel comfortable taking Klonopin, but maybe you will.

JohnnyZ

Maybe your doctor sees something you don't. If another doctor recommends the same or similar, then you might want to try it instead of fight it...

CarolD

Hi Everyone.....please do remember our SR posting Rules

sleepie

My ultimate goal is to be drug free as well, but one must walk before they run... In my case, OCD and depression were fuel for the fire as far as drinking- so after a few months to a year on the meds- while getting and staying sober and learning some methods to help with these disorders- I hope to wean off of them. And if I need them for longer, I'm okay with that too- the fact is for me, these disorders disrupt my life and work as much as drinking did.