Posted by seldomseen on October 3, 2008, at 6:24:13
In reply to Vicodin ~someone please explain to me why...., posted by jaclinhyde on October 2, 2008, at 19:25:27
Terri,
To me, there is a two-fold reason why opiates aren't more widely used to treat depression.
First, I think some pdocs *would* actually prescribe opiates for severe depression if these drugs weren't so highly regulated and monitored.
Docs can lose their license to practice and go to jail for off label use or non-judicious use of these meds.
Whether it's fair or not, these drugs have marked street value and are often abused. Now whether or not that should matter when it comes to treatment with these drugs is a different issue.
Second, there is a widely held belief (I think) that the current drugs for depression actually *treat* the underlying causes for depression. I don't know if this belief is correct, but medically, it makes these drugs much more attractive for the prescriber.
Opiates, on the other hand, may be seen as just masking the symptoms of depression. I think this also explains the reticence with which some providers prescribe benzos.
Frankly, I think there is more than enough anecdotal evidence that there should be some studies looking at long term use of opiates for the treatment of depression. What should be directly addressed is whether these drugs can provide sustained relief, or whether the effect is simply temporary.
Seldom.
poster:seldomseen
thread:855335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080926/msgs/855404.html