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Is Psychiatric Treatment Is Required For PTSD, Panic Disorder And Anxiety More Than Alcohol Treatment?
Question: My wife suffers from PTSD, Panic disorder and anxiety. She had been taking Xanex for 16 years until we weened her off of it a year and a half ago. She took to binge drinking about 7 years ago and it has progressively gotten worse. She has decided to quit drinking but thinks she needs psychiatric help rather than alcohol treatment, what would you suggest?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Alcoholism needs to be treated first and foremost. Treating other things like anxiety and PTSD without first treating alcoholism will absolutely not work. She needs inpatient rehab for alcoholism, followed by outpatient engagement in a 12-step program. This is the most evidence-based and effective treatment for alcoholism.
Dr. Sheppe
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Alcoholism needs to be treated first and foremost. Treating other things like anxiety and PTSD without first treating alcoholism will absolutely not work. She needs inpatient rehab for alcoholism, followed by outpatient engagement in a 12-step program. This is the most evidence-based and effective treatment for alcoholism.
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So she needs to treat what part of alcoholism? Isn't she just self medicating with alcohol? She has admitted that she cannot drink anymore, why would psychiatric therapy not be a more suitable option?
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
There is a major difference between saying you don't want to drink anymore and actually STOPPING drinking for a sustained period of time. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and its use can cause anxiety and depression directly for months after one stops drinking. She needs to be sober for at least 3 months before any underlying psychiatric condition can even be ASSESSED, because alcohol itself will only then be fully out of her system.
Dr. Sheppe
Followup
Detailed Answer:
There is a major difference between saying you don't want to drink anymore and actually STOPPING drinking for a sustained period of time. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and its use can cause anxiety and depression directly for months after one stops drinking. She needs to be sober for at least 3 months before any underlying psychiatric condition can even be ASSESSED, because alcohol itself will only then be fully out of her system.
Dr. Sheppe
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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