seraquel and potential risk?

[sober4]

As both a recovering person, and an addictions professional, I do have some concerns about the potential for dependence on seraquel for those recovering from addictions.  I've seen Seraquel routinely prescribed for people in early recovery(I'm excluding any detoxification period) for whom sleep disturbances are an issue(which is extremely common).  What I've observed in MANY clients is, at least, a very strong psychological addiction--extreme agitation and distress if dosage is lowered. administered late, etc.  It also seemed to perpetuate drug-seeking behaviors; anticipatory obsession/discussion of the drug, manipulation of medical staff  and bartering amongst clients to procure additional, non-prescribed dosages.  

I'm not disparaging across the board about Seraquel--I really don't know enough about it, and from this forum, some people are finding it helpful....but I  DO think there is rarely enough research/discussion/professional education/CONCERN  about the routine prescription of many medications, including Seraquel, that are counterproductive to individual's seeking recovery.   Has anyone observed/experienced this?

[Amphitrite]

I also forgot to add that in my opinion rehab is the place to start to learn how to cope with anxiety, lack of sleep, and other feelings with healthy coping skills. Not just to prescribe a medication which can perpetuate the habit of reaching for a chemical substance to cope with undesirable feelings.
It may in sone cases add to someones inability to cope without chemicals leading them eventually to reach for their DOC when the medications don't have the desired effect any longer and their coping skills aren't where they need to be.

But again just my opinion. Recovery isn't a science and opinions run rampant through the profession, many times unagreed upon opinions!:)

[Amphitrite]

Although I'm not an addictions professional or specialist I've worked with many that have struggled with addiction in my work.
I too have noticed the same thing about not only seroquel but trazadone also.

Seroquel can cause drowsiness and sedation which is what may cause some to crave more. The depression caused by withdrawl and continue through the rehab process can trigger someone to find other substances not typically used to produce a "high" that cause a feeling of relaxation, loweing anxiety and combating the feeling of depression through a temporary "good" feeling brought on by the medication. Especially if someone isn't ready to get clean and is in rehab for reasons other than their own will (alternative to jail time) they may be more likely to seek out alternatives to their doc which make the process a little easier by causing sedation or a feeling if well being to numb the harshness of reality.
Some anti-depressants can also cause an immediate feeling of well being from having the drug release in the system initially.

If you've battled addiction yourself and have gone into treatment as a professional specialty I'm sure you know what it can feel like or have learned how harsh things can seem when your withdrawing and in early recovery. Because feelings and perspective has been dulled for so long removing that doc from the system leaves no buffer between that person and their internal world or the one around them. Feelings seem more magnified(depression, hurt, sorrow, regret, etc) and medications that can cause sedation defenitly help soften that harshness. But of course during detox meds like seroquel and trazadone can help to give someone the support they need to cope with the lack of sleep and severe anxiety. I agree it's defenitly appropriate for detox.

To be honest it may be for a number of reasons including a loss of an ability to have a naturally occuring sleep cycle also. Not being able to sleep can cause tremendous anxiety and frustration. Anything making that process easier is going to be appealing. The problem then becomes(the same with trazadone)after the detox process that the person isn't allowing their body to get back that natural rhythm they need to have and again depending on a sunstance to create the desired effect. The more sedated you are the better you feel you sleep. Laying in bed at night with nothing but your own thoughts can make everything start to seem overwhelming.
I've always felt that after detox a more natural sleep producing aid should be used, like melatonin instead of trazadone. Even low does atarax if someone is taking numerous doses of trazadone during the day for anxiety as it can be used at much lower doses than trazadone.

Have you talked with your clients about their prescribed meds and how they feel about them? Seoquel and trazadone are the two most popular meds used in detox and to support continued recovery in rehab. I like you have wondered if to some they don't cause a hinderance in the process when used far beyond the detox period for reasons other than uses as an psychotropic med. But I believe it does have it's place for those dually diagnosed with psychiatric illness.

Of couse this is just my opinion to certain medications being used past detox for reasons other than psychiatric support. And I'm not an MD. Everyone has their own opinion and own oytlook as to how meds effect them and their recovery so hope no one is offended by mine. Everyone doesn't fit into the same situation and everyones needs and expereinces are different. Someone may feel that these meds support them in a way that's only helped maintain their recovery. And that's great. But I also think in a rehab facility a more natural approach after teh detox period needs to be used in some cases, like melatonin for instance.

Amph