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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by niss on May 17, 2001, at 20:38:14
Has anyone been given antabuse in order to begin
effective treatment for ADD?
If so, how did it go?Thanks!
Posted by Greg on May 17, 2001, at 21:42:18
In reply to Antabuse to begin ADD treatment, posted by niss on May 17, 2001, at 20:38:14
niss,
I was given Antabuse as a condition of entering an alcohol recovery program many years ago. The explanation that was given to me about the drug back then was that it in effect turns consumed alcohol into some form of formaldyhide (sp?) and causes you to get very sick when you drink. I of course had to test it out to see if it worked. I've never been so sick in my life.
I've never heard of it being used for the treatment of ADD (or any other treatment for that fact), but if you are able to obtain any info about this, I'd be very interested in hearing about it.
Be well,
Greg> Has anyone been given antabuse in order to begin
> effective treatment for ADD?
> If so, how did it go?
>
> Thanks!
Posted by Cam W. on May 17, 2001, at 22:00:19
In reply to Antabuse to begin ADD treatment, posted by niss on May 17, 2001, at 20:38:14
Niss - I know that those with ADD many times have a substance abuse (esp. alcohol) problem. I know that the docs here like to stem the alcohol problem before tackling the underlying ADD. The Antabuse™ (disulfram) stops the metabolism of alcohol at the acetaldehyde stage. It is the acetaldehyde that gave Greg the nasty headache and queasy stomach (like a very nasty hangover) when drinking on Antabuse. When you take the drug daily it stops you from drinking alcohol through a kind of aversion therapy. You know that if you drink alcohol you will get sick, so you are less tempted to spontaneously take a drink.
I haven't heard of Antabuse in ADD. I'd love to hear the rationale behind that choice.
Hope this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by niss on May 18, 2001, at 21:28:54
In reply to Re: Antabuse to begin ADD treatment » niss, posted by Cam W. on May 17, 2001, at 22:00:19
Actually, you're right on. It is because my doctor does not want to continue treating me unless I am not drinking. I was having (thought I was having) some problems with the correct medications and went to this new doctor. As it turns out, he thinks that I have an anxiety related deal along with the ADD. So, he wants to put me on buspar but won't start until I am continue to have alcohol. He says that the alcohol (even just 2-3 beers/day) has an affect on the dexedrine and paxil which I am currently taking. So, I was curious if anyone else was put on Antabuse prior to treatment because of the alcohol and it's affect on treatment.
Thanks so much for your reply!
> Niss - I know that those with ADD many times have a substance abuse (esp. alcohol) problem. I know that the docs here like to stem the alcohol problem before tackling the underlying ADD. The Antabuse™ (disulfram) stops the metabolism of alcohol at the acetaldehyde stage. It is the acetaldehyde that gave Greg the nasty headache and queasy stomach (like a very nasty hangover) when drinking on Antabuse. When you take the drug daily it stops you from drinking alcohol through a kind of aversion therapy. You know that if you drink alcohol you will get sick, so you are less tempted to spontaneously take a drink.
>
> I haven't heard of Antabuse in ADD. I'd love to hear the rationale behind that choice.
>
> Hope this is of some help. - Cam
This is the end of the thread.
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