Addiction

[phylis8029]

My husband is a recovering alchoholic (15 years) and has tinnitus.  His ENT told him there is a medication that can stop the ringing and he put him on .25mg of alprazolam.  I looked it up and saw that it is generic xanax.  My husband doesn't take any anti-depressants or pain killers and I don't think we should fill the prescription.  It is a low dosage, but nevertheless it has addictive qualities.  I am researching other avenues to pursue.  He is a mechanic and works in loud areas, so he has hearing loss and has begun to wear earplugs regularly.  Thanks for your advice.

[rod44]

I have been dealing with tinnitus for many years, every doctor from ENT to Neurosurgeon & Neurologist have told me that medications dont work.

check out "white noise machines" they help.

Ray

[29sillygirl]

Agree with Joe.  

[joe199]

my husband and I are both alcoholics. I have 15 years of sobriety and my husband has 20. My husband also suffers from tinnitus and I know that he suffers tremendously because of it. To say that an alcoholic should not take a medication prescribed by a doctor who has been informed that the person is a recovering alcoholic is very narrow minded on all of your parts. You are not doctors and this person might need this medication. Do you know that some people commit suicide because the ringing in their ears drives them crazy. Shame on you people. My husband and I are both very involved in AA but we do not judge people who need to take medication of any kind. There is nothing in the litterature that says you cannot take prescribed medication. Get real!

[ibizan]

Sober alcoholics....and wet alcoholics should not take any form of benzodiazepines which xanax is!there have to be other options to this!they are habit forming plus being a mechanic he could get woozy with them and risk injury in his job!not to mention impaired ability to drive!

[Westguy1003]

It sounds like putting him on any sort of drug might be risky. Although if he has 15 years of sobriety under his belt maybe he can manage it. But I would explore other options first.

There's a product they advertise for tinnitus on the radio in NY all the time. It's called "quietus" at least I think thats how its spelled.  I have personally never used it nor have I known anyone who has but it is reported to be all natural.

Might be worth trying that before the narcotics.

[pillguy]

I'm not a doctor but using xanax long term has severe implications.  As far as dependence and withdrawal issues, I don't know of a worse drug.  Be VERY careful witht this drug!