Author: nomoremommyfood
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:58 am
My apologies if this response comes off as hurried (I’m in bed with a cold) – I’d actually written a more coherent reply a few days and, apparently, it got lost somewhere in the world between the "back" button and the "preview" button.
The fact that my missing response contained a series of links referencing specific research – the original, tiny study in the mid-nineties and the current research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh – that I’m now too headachy to re-post probably won’t win me any points, either.
Not to mention the fact that my missing post contained exact statistics stating mental illness as a central factor in approximately 90% of successful suicide attempts, backing up an argument that buprenorphine-based treatment for mental illness should not be completely ruled out. As for the lack of long-term data, I don’t really have an answer – the drug is still very, very new and very, very controversial.
(Though it doesn’t relate to mental illness, recently published results of a Harvard study – Adjunctive Counseling During Brief and Extended Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment for Prescription Opioid Dependence
– may prove interesting).
Also, not every person who takes opioids responds in the expected manner. While the majority experience a typical nodding off, relaxing effect, others find respite from depression in an unexpected burst of motivation – albeit with attached euphoria – and become addicted to the energetic feeling. This is where buprenorphine MAY fall in as acceptable treatment. While a bevy of medications are designed to deplete the "down" portion of a depressive episode (helping to cease the negative emotions), it’s difficult to find medication to add an "up" factor (helping elicit positive emotions).
Buprenorphine, in some people’s experience, has the essential motivating factor. Not only to bring a depressed patient out of lying in bed position, but help them seek purpose to stand up.
Yes, buprenorphine causes dependence and withdrawal. As do many, many mood-stabilizers, anti-depressant and anti-psychotics. Seroquel, if not tapered correctly, can cause insomnia for up to a month. Risperdal, if ceased abruptly, can cause crippling anxiety attacks. This form of dependence and withdrawal, in my opinion, is just as scary as potential buprenorphine dependency…particularly because the patient [i]does not expect to be sick.
