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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety And Depression

Posted on Fri, 17 Feb 2017

Question: Hi, my name is XXXXXXX and I am calling to get information to help a friend who is a Meth addict and wants to get clean. He tried a couple of weeks ago and it was just to hard for him. He had 5 days off work and when the 5th day arrived he just freak out saying he cant do this he doesn't even want to get out of bed. He slept the whole time and said he depressed, hates life and needs the stuff to be able to function. I am trying to learn as much as possible to get him help. I believe if he could get something to take to make the withdraw symptons easier he may have a better chance. In patient is not an option for him, out patient I believe I could talk him into - the only obstacle standing in the way is he has to work - right now he is working only 2 days a week so if I had something that would help in his withdraws that would make it easy for him after 5 days of sleep and rest and have the well power to get up and make to work I believe he could win the battle. But he needs something to help in the depression, and what he says - laziness he cant get out of bed, has no well - can you recommendation on something that could help him/.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Withdrawal becomes easier with medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from Healthcaremagic.com

I can understand your concern. Meth is a powerful stimulant drug and has potential to cause significant dependence. Even a short term regular use is known to result in dependence and thus withdrawal symptoms on cessation of the drug. Fortunately most of the withdrawal symptoms occurs because of psychological dependence and not physical dependence.

Lack of motivation, laziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, depressed mood, flat affect, apathy etc are common symptoms in acute phase of withdrawal. In some individuals psychotic symptoms are seen.

The treatment can be done on outpatient basis too but a psychiatric consultation will be needed. For symptoms like lack of motivation, poor functioning, sedation, drowsiness etc drugs like Modafinil or Armodafinil can should be used. The drugs help to improve the activity and has effects like amphetamines and don't increase the risk of dependence. For reduction of craving, depressed mood Bupropion is usually prescribed. The drug reduces the craving for the drug significantly and will also help in depression symptoms. For severe depression symptoms SSRIs can be used.

So first of all take him to a psychiatrist and get his evaluated. Medicines use will ease the withdrawal and he will regain the lost confidence. With proper motivation he will come out of the drug without any serious withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks. Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (11 minutes later)

So it looks like the first thing we need to do is get him a doctor and then make an appointment with West Sound Treatment Center her in Poulsbo, WA. I have done a little research and found out the treatment center will not subscribe medicine to help him, he will need a doctor to subscribe the medicine. I was hoping the treatment center could because frankly the least people he needs to see the better chances I will have in getting him to out patient treatment.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation of a doctor is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Yes consultation with a doctor preferably a psychiatrist is needed to get prescription of the drugs and for management of withdrawal. But that would not be difficult.

Thanks

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

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