The use of opiates in treating mental health disorders?

A hundred years ago, mental illnesses like depression, were treated with laudinum. Suicide rates were lower and opiates were proven to be beneficial in the treatment of such conditions.

My question is, how many of you have experienced a calming of symptoms with the use of opiates moreso than with conventional SSRI's and other psych drugs? I have a friend that has an untreatable bipolar d/o but he responds to opiates quite well.

Regardless of the stigma attached to the use of opiates, don't you agree that if they've been proven to help calm those who are truly sick that the government should ease the restrictions on doctors and allow them to prescribe them instead of other medications that can cause more atrocious side effects?

Benzodiazapines are MORE addictive than opiate based medication and if they work better, why aren't people allowed to use them for treating their depression? Both produce a euphoria when initial dosing occurs. What makes opiates so bad?

Okay, you caught me with my wording there Becca. Thanks for pointing that out. Perhaps I shouldn't say "untreatable" as much as "hasn't responded to treatment" out of a plethora of medications that made him sicker. He's been bounced from medication to medication for over 20 years and the only time he's felt a true relief of symptoms and not felt suicidal is when he has taken an opiate based medication like hydrocodone.

I strongly support and agree with you. There are also long lasting opiates that are hugely beneficial with depression and anxiety.

there is no such thing as "untreatable bipolar disorder". only those who don't WANT to treat it.

i'm sure you'll still be saying he responds to opiates quite well when they trigger off an episode in him too...

i have no opinion on the rest.

Tags

　　Osteoarthritis 　　Orthodontia 　　Organ Transplantation 　　Organ Donation 　　Oral Tobacco 　　Oral Cancer 　　Opiates 　　Ophthalmology 　　Oncology 　　Omega-3 Fatty Acids 　　Ombudsman Programs 　　Occupational Therapy 　　Occupational Injuries

Related information

Opiates vs Alcohol?

Alcohol and opiates act on the brain in different ways. Opiates act on your endorphin receptor sites (endorphins are your body's natural painkiller/euphoric chemicals), while alcohol is more o...

What are the effects of abusing opiates?

Made from opium, opiates makes the user to feel intense one moment and drowsy the next. It affects the function of the brain by decrease anxiety, inducing sleep and promoting sedation. Some types o...

Pain killers without opiates?

Ask the dr about something called Anaprox. It's one step below narcotics but one step above the anti-inflammatories.

...

Prescribed medication with opiates and benzoids?

benzos are like valium and xanax. opiates are like morphine, heroin, fentynol, oxycontin, Vicoden, just to name a few. Both are super addictive and really difficult to withdraw from.

...

Withdrawal of Roxys / Opiates and RLS??

Hang in there. It is tough so try to be calm as much as you can. It would be a real help to have a friend thee with you. I mean a real friend. One that accepts you as you are and willing to be t...

When I take opiates for pain, they keep me awake at night. What can I do to counter this effect?

You will find that all nearly all of the pain killing medicines can cause some insomnia. You can take something like Ambien or Lunesta or something like that before going to bed and you will get s...

Longer acting opiates? I need something with time release but convincing a doc is not easy?

If your doc won't give you what you need (and if what you are asking for is reasonable), then why not find another doc? There has been plenty of research and advances in pain management, and ...

Risperdal and Concerta?...Positive for opiates???help..?

My son takes Concerta and as far as I know it is a derivative of Ritalin not sure of risperdal but if you go into web md you can find out most all of your questions if you have no luck there go int...