Can Trazodone or Hydroxyzine Be Used To Get High?

[MrsMead]

My significan other has post traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. In the past he has abused drugs prescribed to him -mostly klonopin. Recently he was released from the hospital on suicide watch (after a scary attempt). He has been given a new set of medications and I'm concerned about whether or not they can be used to get "high". My love is prone to this type of drug-abusing behavior. I'm also concerned about whether or not he could use these drugs to commit suicide. ANY information you have about either of these things would be such a help! I'm very worried for him!

The drugs that have been prescribed are:

Trazodone (Desyrel)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)

Thanks!!!
Kathy

[Claire_MHModerator]

Hi, folks,

Since this thread is old and the original participants are no longer taking part, we'll close it now.  If you'd like to ask a question or start a new thread, please click the "Post a Question" button near the top of this page.  Thanks!

Claire
______________________________________________________
                                  
                               ******** CLOSED DISCUSSION ********

                                        No more comments, please.
______________________________________________________

[acam1487]

wow what a surprise. a medical professional recommending therapy. not many people i have ever known with issues had any kind of help from therapy. its all from within. and not the "they have to want to get better". its called talking to someone doesn't cure problems. and from the way it sounds, there is nothing the doctor could tell him that he hasnt already thought of/ tried himself. (most people with depression/anxiety/drug problems are actually very intelligent, moreso than the rest of the population). I would say ask him if he really wants to go sit with a person he doesn't know for an hour each week. the only way therapy really does work is when the professional-patient relationship is very good, in which case it is more than likely because the patient looks at them as a friend (and probably does not have many others). He may be in a bad spot, but only he will know what is good for him. I am an addict and have tried rehab and NA and neither one worked any good on me. I was ultimately the one to fix things. without attending either of them (both are institutions in their own right. like being in a jail and being told what to do and think twenty-four hours a day.)

[Squirly888]

I was also prescribed the antihistamine.  Today my pharmacist told me it sometimes has the opposite affect.
Benzo's ie Xanax, Kolonopin (sp?), Valum, and Atovin, along with alcohol are the only drugs that you can die from withdrawals.  So they are very dangerous in that sense.  I also new someone who passed after too much Xanax.
I take Lexapro which is an SSRI some are better than others.  Today my doctor gave me Trazadone which helps with sleep and anxiety and isn't as addicting.  It shows as an antidepressant but it really isn't.  You don't have to dose down on it.
Prayer and deep breaths help too.  Yoga and Meditation as well.  Take my advice, I'm not using it.

[BrahBrah]

Medical Marijuana helps great with most of these symptoms, I encourage you to read into it a bit.

[Hope4Future2]

Sounds like my story. All the same diagnosis and I'm just now seeing results.  Not through a psychiatrist but a trauma counselor. A combination of intense Invivo exposure therapy, prolonged exposure therapy and CBT. It's hell and it definitely gets worse before it gets better but I'm starting to see a difference.  After the first month I realized I needed the assistance of med therapy so the current regime is Pravosin, Lexapro, Buspar, Trazodone, & Ativan (used only to alleviate prolonged duress).  I wanna say this too: my counselor doesn't agree with the diagnosis of GAD & MD, it's a by-product of PTSD from a lifetime of trauma.  I just celebrated my 26th birthday and I'm fighting everyday to see my 27th.

[LexSinatra]

I struggle with depression and really bad anxiety... i used to drink heavily and cry and cry and cry an scream an i lost my Love... im better now but i use anything to get high... im drowning... i stopped drinking and pulled myself off of opiate addiction but i still like to be high. I have a steady non hindered supply of lyrica and i take a small dose daily now an i have had no desire for more highs. i can feel the lyrica but i can fully function in my daily life. just straight up idk how but lyrica has got to be the best anti-depressant i've been on. but it has some nasty withdraw side effects that i don't think your Loved one could handle. just an idea

[garfield61]

I took 2 tablets and have not been able to sleep at all. How long does it take to get out of your system????

[critter699]

Dear Mrs.Mead,
As someone who has personally dealt with depression, anxiety, &quite a few of the meds used to treat these conditions, I have a suggestion.I know this will sound simplistic, but it has been of value to myself, friends,& loved ones:
breathing exercises,; deep breathing, from the diaphragm Try it yourself, just take a deep breath right now. I have used hatha yoga for many years, which incorporates breathing techniques, to calm & focus my mind. It is free, can be done anywhere, is free of side effects, & is something that can be done together. Might even be fun to do.
Wishing you all the best,
Critter

[JaseWynn]

Trazadone, as you've figured out by now, is a sleep aid (in an off-label capacity) and most compounds that make you drowsy have abuse potential. I take Trazadone, Zoloft, Abilify, and Klonopin (all in small doses). I'm also an addict. So...I DO abuse the Klonopin. And, as an addict, I'm curious what larger doses of Trazodone will do to me. It's simply my nature. I could certainly benefit from counseling or a 12-step program. BUT, I'll let you know what one abuser of medications thinks of Trazodone once I know- just began the medication. Your significant other is lucky to have you! Hopefully, he appreciates your patience.

[xAnEx_BURRS]

Ativan works for anxiety when you have troubles going to sleep. Unfortunately, it doesn't really help with my daily anxiety. But I'm going to see my DR in a few days so I'm going to see if he can help me with my daily anxiety.

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome...sounds like you are going through a rather tough time.  As others have said ANY drug can be used to aid in suicide attempts...ANY substance (even household products as you already witnessed) taken in the "right" quantity can be lethal.  Unfortunately, I don't think you can worry too much about that....very sadly, if a person has the intent, they will find a way.

Also, you'd be surprised at the kind of drugs people abuse.  Excedrin, Benadryl, you name it.  While some meds are more infamous for abuse potential, if a person has a history of misusing medications....he may indeed abuse even the most "innocent" seeming med.  Trazadone for sure has some abuse potential.  I have a patient right now that has been abusing Trazadone for years...and has several friends that do the same.

All of these things of course are issues to worry about, but I think most importantly, you need to try to follow up with any aftercare he was advised about. Make sure he is keeping up with his therapy.  Make sure certain "protections" are in place...meaning that his doctors (and Pharmacy) are aware of his abuse potential so that they can be extra vigilant in paying attention to any worrisome patterns that may develop.

As for finding a good med for his anxiety...it's rough. Finding the right med for most people is a challenge, let alone, when one has the additional issue of abuse.  I would be a little concerned that he was put back on Klonopin after he abused it. That is a slippery slope there.  His doc is really going to have to closely monitor that.

As for antihistamines for anxiety....SOME people do really have success.  The most common being Vistaril.  Many times that, along with another med (usually an antidepressant)...a person can really see improvements.  ESPECIALLY with his history of taking meds inappropriately....that may be something worth trying (again).  In all honesty, therapy is going to be the most important component of his treatment regimen, IMO.  He has enough pretty significant issues that medications as the PRIMARY treatment modality would only serve to minimally help. Like putting a bandaid on a broken leg.  Therapy is where he is going to get to the "meat" of his issues and learn coping techniques.

He's very lucky to have your love and support.  It's difficult to try to help our loved ones, especially when we don't fully understand what they're going through.  Be sure to be kind to yourself as well....you have your own stress levels and anxiety related to the situation to consider.  Many loved ones benefit from therapy themselves...to be educated about your loved one's condition...and seek some coping for yourself.

Take care and best of luck.

[liahliah]

yes or no?

[Paxiled]

All prescription drugs are harmful in overdose.  So is water -- it's called drowning.  If a drug works, he should have a lower desire to commit suicide or abuse it.  But therapy is going to be his most important tool, given what he's suffering from, and that takes time.  You could try the natural root, much harder to overdose, but also not as strong and harder to figure out what to combine.  And naturopaths aren't covered by insurance usually.  But it's a thought, given his history with medications.  

A difficult situation.  All the best.  

[jakegorzen]

No, Antihistamines are **** for anxiety.
They trried me on it at first..did absolutely nothing, and Ive yet to find one person with severe anxiety actually get a positive effect that can actually be fealt.
Klonopin works really well for anxiety, taking the normal 2X -3X a day split up.

How long has he been on Klonopin for?

[MrsMead]

I wish so much that he had the experience of a life where it was okay to be forthcoming (speak openly about himself -knowing that we all experience "life" - raw and unfiltered to a degree, . Im so hopeful that we with both be WILLING to work on the things that hinder us. Still, so fearfull that we're just the opposite is occuring.
Anyway,
Strangely, as far as "feeling drunk" my dh doesn't like to drink -he says he feels dizzy and slow. Still, you're right; downers are the only drugs that leave him feeling "relieved" of his noticable anxiety. I do a positive difference in him. He seems to feel more comfortable with himself, and less concerned with the impressions of thers.
On the other hand, he's more impulsive while taking benzodiazapines *forgeive spelling.
This morning he saw his phsychologist (2 days after after taking all of April's konopin  and quite a bit of toilet bowl cleaner, isopropal icohol, etc. and 3 days in the hospital. (i think more to seek help than anything else.)
We were given the antihistiimine prescription on realease from the hospital. He still was VERY anxious, so
This morning,at the advise of his psychologist, my love asked his psychiatrist to put him back on the medication that had beed hlepful in the past (klonopin rather than anthihistimine), but to administer it in small doses -to ease the fear of overdose or abuse. The Dr. agreed to the arrangement after seeing his condition on antihistimine in place of klonopin.
The klonopin seems like a gamble  -does it ultimatley hurt more tyhan it helps?
All of this is so confusing, and I'm GREATful for all of your resonses and  insight. I want to see our family survive this together, but find that the medical care we receive on our income (40,000 a year with a 5 person family and no health insurance) doesn't always offer the best healthcare).
LOL i'm rambling adn have strong feelings about the situation.
Have we missed a non addictive drug that works great for anziety, without the tolerance, addiction, potential for abuse?
Thank you!
Kathy

[jakegorzen]

You said your Guy used to abuse Klonopin, so he likes Downers
Trazadone is a downer, not exactly like Benzodiazapines, but still makes your body feel drunk.

Yes, he could use these to commit suicide, EVERYTHING has potential for being a accessory for suicide.

Do you and him talk to each other about his problems?
Will he talk to you about why he wants to do this?
You should try to get him to "let it out" it could possibly help him feel better, and help you understand more.

Good luck

[kristine9190]

I can only speak for Trazadone, I was prescribed this to help me sleep, it has tranquilizer effects. As ILADVOCATE mention, any drug can be misused, but as far as I know, it would be quite the opposite effect of a high if he were to abuse trazadone.

Best Wishes to you!
Kristine

[ILADVOCATE]

Any medication can be misused or abused. He has to take everything exactly as prescribed. However, those are not medications that are controlled substances that are in any way likely to create recreational highs. Doctors and psychiatrists take note of that and will not prescribe certain classes of medications to people with a substance abuse history. As long as they are aware of his history with this issue they can monitor what he is prescribed and how he takes it. But those specific medications generally have very little if any potential for abuse.