Multiple Drugs Prescribed by Psychiatrist

My son is 23 years old and is being treated for fits of anger, hostility, depression, nervousness, memory loss, nightmares, loss of concentration, slurred speech etc.  (he is presently attending a university).

The psychiatrist is prescribing three medications: Xanax (0.5 mg), Temazepam, and Effexor.
After reading about the side effects of each of these drugs, I can see why he behaves as he does:  I am unable to reason with him about taking these combinations of drugs.
He is definitely addicted...I called the doctor several months ago and told him my son was mixing alcohol with Xanax and as a result was out of control, in a serious fight and sustained a gash in the back of his head requiring 16 stitches. All the doctor said was that he should not be mixing the alcohol & Xanax and did not offer any solution for getting him off these drugs!

I feel so helpless...I just can't stand by and watch my son's life being destroyed.  Please tell me how I can approach this doctor or my son to convince them how serious and life threatening this is.  I am desperate! Thank you so much for any advice you can give me.

[Tammy]

my brother is being treated for the same thing except slurred speech. the phsy. put him on the same drugs. he actually commited himself for a week because he felt suicidal. this same doctor walked in and ask him if he still felt like harming himself, he said no and he let him out. so he decided he wasn't comfortable with the way this Dr. was handleing things, said he just precribes meds. and never talks to him. he got a new phys. and she said she did not agree with the drugs he was taking and took him off all of it but xanex and put him on paxil. he is doing much better. by the way he is 25 yrs. old and dosen't drink. I know taking antidepressants and drinking is lethal. I take one myself and stopped any drinking.

[andrea ooi]

why Kathy's son was started with these medication
the symptoms above appear before or after medication

[katt]

I am sorry to say that this has been the same experience that I have had with psychiatrists.  I am suicidal and they are crazy enough to give me 60 pills of Xanax.  I also have a nice collection of Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, and Trazadone.  Don't expect to get anything other than drugs from a shrink.

[shamy]

I have been hooked to drugs for 4 years,fluctuating between ups, dows, pharmaceuticals. I NO LONGER DE heroin, am trying to kick speed, permanantly, this time, but find myself manipulating, my so callel reputable shrink into giving me Xanax and dextroamphetamin. I`m stuck, for I have never been treated for addictions, I've just been fluctuating, and though I tell myself i`m getting clean, I`am whacked out of my skull, on these pills,afraid that I WILL GET EVEN MORE HOOKED THAN ON ANYTHING, because for me they seem to fill the voids, more than anything on the street, and being the queen of retionalising that I am, I TRY TO CONVINCE MYSELF THAT THE DOC KNOWS. Its been two weeks that I`have been taking Xanax, I GOT DEXIES TODAY, AFTER SWAERING OFF THEM FOUR MONTHS AGO.Xanax got me out of my last meth binge, the binge that made me realize how hookek I AM. I have not craved heroin or crystal since. USSUALLY I WOULD Atleast think off drugs 20 times a day, in turmoil,in crazyness or I WOULD BLOCK IT OUT BY BECOMMINNG overtly hyper, my moods always seem out of my control, until now. I KNOW DEEP DOWN THAT I  should be treated for manic depression, but these pills that I KNOW ARE SO BAD, really give me the feeling I`VE ONLY IMAGINED SO FAR, DREAMING OF THE PERFECT DRUG.at18ivebeenputtingmyselfintestubesforyears,Ifeelold,mybrainoknowisamutantICREATED. i`ve never denied what i`have been doing,iam so self aware,such a selfcontrolfreak,ITHE ONLY WAY icould of made it interestingfor myself,oh so arrogant, was to push myself to my hells limits and back over and over, being where i am now was predictable but unevitable.

[Leslie]

Xanex is such a dangerous and addicting drug.  My best friend OD'd on them and my twin-sister died the next month, after being in a coma for over two years because of a car wreck.

Even if a psychiatrist prescribes them,  that doesn't mean they are OK.   I can't believe they will just give medicine and not counsel the person,  that seems criminal!!!  

My advise to Karen, the concerned mother,  is to call the DEA about this doctor.   Also,  threaten the doctor with the DEA if they don't detox your son now that they know he is drinking with them.  That's what caused my sister's car wreck,  alcohol and Xanex. Before the accident,  she would rage and get totally out of control as well.   I really feel for you.  I'll pray for you and your son.

[Kathie in Kansas City]

This is to Kathy who wrote on Feb. 17, 2000:
I just saw your letter about the doctor's continual prescription of antidepressants and sediatives to your drug-addicted son.  I had a similar experience with a doctor and my 19 year old son.  The doctor prescribed Xanax even though I had written him a letter and explained my son's addiction problem.  When my son almost killed himself this weekend after mixing alcohol and Xanax, I called the doctor and asked his nurse to review the letter I wrote.  I told her that it seemed to me that the doctor was in a precarious legal situation.  Her silence and then nervous laughter told me I was correct.  I asked again that the record reflect my son's addiction problem.  This time, I believe it will.  However, that's not really why I'm writing you.  You and I both know that our sons can get drugs anywhere he wants to kill himself and others with if he tries hard enough.  They are old enough now to own up to their own addictive behavior.  As hard as it is to accept this, there is nothing we as parents can do.  We can control our actions, others we can only love.  What has helped me to let go and be at an easier peace is a group called Families Anonymous (www.familiesanonymous.org)  If you don't have a local group, please consider attending any AlaNon group in your city.  There are usually dozens and you can find them in the phone book.  Good luck.  Letting go is a long and hard journey for a parent.  But I have found that as long as we continue to fix a situation, the longer the situation will remain broken.

[RUBY7]

HI TAMMY IM A GIRL NOT GOING TO SAY A NAME BUT I HAVE THE SAME AS YOUR BROTHER I HAVE A TERRIBLE TEMPER AND IM JEALOUS WHEN MY BOYFRIEND TALKS TO OTHER GIRLS I CANT HELP IT I FLIP! I HAVE DEPRESSION AT LEAST YOUR BROTHER IS GETTING HELP IM TOO ASHAMED TO

[mr.lucky66]

Most shrinks are the worst of all todays MD's. They perscribe a bunch of drugs for symptoms and don't know much or care what will happen as evidenced by your shrink's reaction. Xanax is a bad drug and was approved by the FDA on phoney research. It can cause panic attacks and blackouts. all the best