Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

[Virgil]

Hi Folks,

Dr Olivier Ameisen in The End of My Addiction makes it clear that not only did baclofen cure his alcohol addiction but also eliminated his anxiety. That's what I'm also hoping by my taking baclofen. And, like Dr Ameisen, I know that it was my severe anxiety that resulted in becoming dependent on alcohol. Cause and effect - in that order. It is therefore crucial to me that baclofen tackles both my anxiety and alcoholism. If it deals with the alcoholism, that will be a resounding success. But I'm hoping that baclofen will kill two birds with one stone.

So, my question is this - for those MWO members that are taking baclofen and have what I believe is referred to as a dual diagnosis, have you found that baclofen deals with both anxiety and alcohol dependency?

Thanks in advance.

V.

P.S. As a footnote, for those that have seen some of my other posts, you will know that I have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). I say this because the word 'anxiety' is, I believe, a symptom that results from an underlying cause. Sometimes, the word 'anxiety' is equated with 'worry' but, to me, they are quite different. I'm unclear as to what form Dr Ameisen's anxiety took - would anyone care to enlighten me?

[ThirdMan]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

I personally can say yes most definitely. And like Dr. A, I felt the anti-anxiety effects almost immediately. I hesitate to say this, but for me at times the anti-anxiety seems to have the potential to limit by excitement levels even. But not to an extent that I mind, in fact it has helped imensely with my drinking and I think it has a lot to do with smoothing out the anxiety/excitement polarities I reached before taking it. If any of that makes sense.

[Virgil]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

ThirdMan;804423 wrote: I personally can say yes most definitely. And like Dr. A, I felt the anti-anxiety effects almost immediately. I hesitate to say this, but for me at times the anti-anxiety seems to have the potential to limit by excitement levels even. But not to an extent that I mind, in fact it has helped imensely with my drinking and I think it has a lot to do with smoothing out the anxiety/excitement polarities I reached before taking it. If any of that makes sense.

Hi ThirdMan,

Thank you for your reply, which is reassuring. It is interesting that you felt the anti-anxiety effects almost immediately - I wish I could say the same! But I remain hopeful.

Thanks again.

V.

[kimikk]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

Has anyone ever heard of Lorazepam? I had a really bad episode last night from the not drinking and ended up in the hospital (my choice) because something really scary happened to me while i was driving, so I thought it was maybe a low blood sugar thing because I have cut back so drastically on my alcohol intake but after I had all my vitals taken they seemed to think it was a panic/anxiety attack and gave me sone Lorazepam and that really relaxed me and I felt better. BUT before that I felt EXTREMELY unstable physically and very scared only to find out my body was ok. WTHell???? Does anyone know what I just went through could be about and have any advice? I thought I was going to die or pass out or have a heart attack or something ...

[kimikk]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

#4 (permalink) Today, 09:37 PM
kimikk
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Has anyone ever heard of Lorazepam? I had a really bad episode last night from the not drinking and ended up in the hospital (my choice) because something really scary happened to me while i was driving, so I thought it was maybe a low blood sugar thing because I have cut back so drastically on my alcohol intake but after I had all my vitals taken they seemed to think it was a panic/anxiety attack and gave me sone Lorazepam and that really relaxed me and I felt better. BUT before that I felt EXTREMELY unstable physically and very scared only to find out my body was ok. WTHell???? Does anyone know what I just went through could be about and have any advice? I thought I was going to die or pass out or have a heart attack or something ...

[carleena]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

Hi Kimikk

I was at the hospital yesterday for the exact same systoms your descbribing. The put me on Diazapam which is from the same drug family as lorazapam I believe. ALso they put me on Thaimine to clear out the booze it's vitamin B1.
I'm feeling really shakey and no appetite today but I know I have to get through this for 3 days I am tol as I have just joined this site.
Good luck and get to the hospital or doc to get something to help you thru this hard time.
Take
Care
Carleena:new:

[beatle]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

Different issues

This thread is getting a little complicated, but I will try to address the differing issues...

Virgil;804250 wrote: Hi Folks,

Dr Olivier Ameisen in The End of My Addiction makes it clear that not only did baclofen cure his alcohol addiction but also eliminated his anxiety. That's what I'm also hoping by my taking baclofen. And, like Dr Ameisen, I know that it was my severe anxiety that resulted in becoming dependent on alcohol. Cause and effect - in that order. It is therefore crucial to me that baclofen tackles both my anxiety and alcoholism. If it deals with the alcoholism, that will be a resounding success. But I'm hoping that baclofen will kill two birds with one stone.

So, my question is this - for those MWO members that are taking baclofen and have what I believe is referred to as a dual diagnosis, have you found that baclofen deals with both anxiety and alcohol dependency?

Yes, for me, baclofen "cured" -- well, "alleviated" is a better term -- my anxiety. I believe, as part and parcel of that, it has made me able to handle my alcohol issues.

Drugs have never worked for me. I don't believe in drugs. Baclofen is not really a drug, as it mimics a neurotransmitter found in all mammals -- but it still has potent effects.

I guess the short answer (which I never manage to give) is: YES

[beatle]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

kimikk;805046 wrote: Has anyone ever heard of Lorazepam? I had a really bad episode last night from the not drinking and ended up in the hospital (my choice) because something really scary happened to me while i was driving, so I thought it was maybe a low blood sugar thing because I have cut back so drastically on my alcohol intake but after I had all my vitals taken they seemed to think it was a panic/anxiety attack and gave me sone Lorazepam and that really relaxed me and I felt better. BUT before that I felt EXTREMELY unstable physically and very scared only to find out my body was ok. WTHell???? Does anyone know what I just went through could be about and have any advice? I thought I was going to die or pass out or have a heart attack or something ...

Lorazepam is a benzo -- very effective for detoxing. But you must have help with this.

Very scary about the driving... where are you at right now?

[beatle]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

carleena;805127 wrote: I was at the hospital yesterday for the exact same systoms your descbribing. The put me on Diazapam which is from the same drug family as lorazapam I believe. ALso they put me on Thaimine to clear out the booze it's vitamin B1.
I'm feeling really shakey and no appetite today but I know I have to get through this for 3 days I am tol as I have just joined this site.
Good luck and get to the hospital or doc to get something to help you thru this hard time.
Take
Care
Carleena:new:

Sounds like you are on the right track, Carleena. Keep on coming back here. There are different forums, so try yourself out.

[Guest]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

beatle;805159 wrote: This thread is getting a little complicated, but I will try to address the differing issues...



Yes, for me, baclofen "cured" -- well, "alleviated" is a better term -- my anxiety. I believe, as part and parcel of that, it has made me able to handle my alcohol issues, although I am not yet where I want to be (but close).

Drugs have never worked for me. I don't believe in drugs. Baclofen is not really a drug, as it mimics a neurotransmitter found in all mammals -- but it still has potent effects.

I guess the short answer (which I never manage to give) is: YES

Beatle "but close" have you experienced the decrease in alcohol thoughts just wondering... My switch hit at 260 mgs but I am a 40 year old male 110kgs and 138 cm tall no thoughts but like Tips once you reach this point the alcoholic me still remains its just been told to sit at the back of the bus.... the journey just begins I have been seeking help as to why I chose to destroy my self with alcohol in the first instance i need to find answers to this
Reg

[ThirdMan]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

Carleena and Kimikk: What you guys are describing is most DEFINITELY anxiety/panic attacks! I hesitate to write IMHO, because part of the problem I had with anxiety attacks was just getting in my head that that was what was happening. They improved greatly, and eventually went away altogether, once I got this in my mind and quit worrying that I was having a heart attack or something. They suck big time and are TOTALLY set off by alcohol. That's how my drinking spiraled out of control actually. I had my first anxiety attack in college after several days of drinking and abusing benzos and then having a sober night of studying and blamo! Full blown anxiety attack that resulted in me having lock-jaw and body being tensed up and unable to move. I called 911 thinking I was dieing and spent the next year and half going from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was happening to me. No doctors ever figured it out, it being Texas in the 90s I guess, so I diagnosed myself after reading online aplenty. Once I realized that was what was happening, poof! they went away! For a few years I could feel them coming on after heavy drinking, particularly if I was totally sober, but never as bad.

[beatle]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

I have had a similar experience to ThirdMan's. My panic attacks haven't stopped, but they are handleable because I realize what is happening, and remember that I have survived it before, so I can ride it out. I only have been able to do this since I started taking Baclofen, though. It's like my rational mind can take control now, whereas before I would be totally crazy trying to stop it and feeling sure I was dying.

[Greg]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

I've also had anxiety and panic episodes over the years. I would say that the experiences of kimikk and carleena were almost certainly alcohol withdrawal symptoms however, which of course do need immediate professional treatment and often require the use of a benzodiazepine like lorazepam or diazepam for at least a few days. Although I also have benzo problems I fully believe in the use of these medications during alcohol withdrawal.

[beatle]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

I agree, Greg. But I've had all of these different experiences and reactions, and to me, withdrawal and panic attacks are very different, and although by no means are they mutually exclusive, they are also not the same thing. In other words, how I feel during withdrawal is not how I feel during a panic attack, and a panic attack can occur at any time, whether sober or drunk. Am I making any sense?

[Greg]

Another Question About Anxiety, Alcohol Baclofen

Yes this makes a lot of sense. I was writing out of concern that alcohol withdrawal symptoms were being experienced by members without realising what they were, but panic can definitely be a separate disorder (as can anxiety).

Unfortunately many doctors still start writing a script for alprazolam/Xanax as soon as a patient mentions panic attacks, and the acceptable upper limit for that medication was a huge 10 mg per day in the US the last time I read about it. Here in Australia the usual limit is a more conservative, but still high, 4 mg per day.

I know SSRI's have been tried for panic, and there is talk of some newer anticonvulsants like pregabalin, gabapentin, and tiagabine possibly being effective for anxiety disorders...not sure about panic attacks. I hope you are able to benefit from some sort of treatment.