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Can Xanax Aid In Alcohol Withdrawal?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2015

Question: Looking For A physicist in Medford Oregon , Someone who will continue my current treatment I am receiving now, That includes 3 1mg Xanax per day, I have been on this treatment for over 7 years.
Since I stopped drinking alcohol 7 years ago, I have tried everything else this is the only thing that worked. I had been a heavy drinker for over 30 years, I must continue this treatment. Doctors Records are available. coming from Ca. and on Medicare Please help, Thank you !
Also take Ambien , when needed for sleeping problems.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
check the link mentioned below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

I have checked your reports. You have liver problem. SGPT, SGOT and bilirubin are elevated up to some extent. History of hepatitis C and cirrhosis is there.
Xanax(alprazolam) is good drug for patients with alcohol withdrawal. However with inadequate liver functioning it should not be taken. It is metabolized by Cytochrome system of Liver. If liver is not working properly xanax causes more damage to liver and stays more in body.
7 years of xanax intake is long. Probably you are dependent on it. If I were your treating doctor I would prefer Ativan(Lorazepam) instead of xanax which bypasses live metabolism.

Discuss this aspect with your new treating doctor.

We do not have any psychiatrist in our records at Medford.I have searched a link through which you can find a psychiatrist near to you comfortably. Copy and paste below link in your browser and modify search according to your needs.

http://www.healthgrades.com/provider-search-directory/search?q=Psychiatrist&prof.type=provider&search.type=PracticingSpecialty&entityCode=PS802&method=rollup+specialty&loc=Medford%2C+OR&pt=42.0000%2C+-122.0000&isNeighborhood=false&locType=|state|city&locIsSolrCity=#prem=&sortby=bestmatch&q=Psychiatrist&prof.type=provider&search.type=PracticingSpecialty&entityCode=PS802&method=rollup+specialty&loc=Medford,+OR&pt=42.0000,+-122.0000&isNeighborhood=false&locType=|state|city&locIsSolrCity=&f.cond=PS802/A/Alcoholism+%28Alcohol+Dependence%29|1426&pagenumber=1

Hope this answer is helpful to you.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 hours later)

Those records are from before the TIPS procedure, since then all those blood levels are almost back to normal. I can send updated reports, I also I have tried Ativan and it does not work, I tried rehabs, and other programs and meds my Psychiatrist can send All the correct mental issues I have. And I need the name of a Doctor in the area I can talk to. Thank You Please help my life span is not long. I would like to enjoy what I have left.I have not had drink in 8 years and do not want to start to ever drink again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for information, you can find doctor with above link

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

I really appreciate your courage to fight with problem.You have not had drink since 8 years that is very good. You have already undergone TIPS and reports came back to normal.If Ativan has not worked(even after trying for 2weeks in optimum dose) you can continue with xanax under medical supervision.
I am from XXXXXXX and not aware about any psychiatrist personally at place you mentioned. I have given a link in previous answer.Many patients have found doctors with that site. You can modify the search according to needs and find the doctor nearest to you.I am sorry for limitation from our side that I cannot recommend someone directly.

You can enjoy the life and no need to drink again otherwise problems will reappear.Continue your motivation of not drinking again and do not think about life span. Just live life in positive manner.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Since Tips procedure all my levels you have mentioned are much better now, I can send copies of blood work if need to be. Please Reply

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes you can send if you wish

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can give more comments after seeing your latest reports.

You can send if those are available.

Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar