Saving my brother's life

[addboy]

I know that adderall is not normally used to treat alcoholism.  However, through many years of trying to turn my life around and failing, I ended up in the office of a wonderful psychiatrist.   After hearing my story, she told me that I have been living with severe adhd (now 35).  She started me on adderall and it has changed my life for the better.  I'm not crazy about basically being on speed all the time, but the alternative was much worse.  This med has settled me down so much that I feel like a different, much more rational and intuitive person.  It has help me address that gnawing and indescribable need to drink habitually.  While I definitely have moments when I want to drink, (especially beer w/ having pizza...aarrgghh), I'm able to relax and be myself in most any situation.  I was sort of a child prodigy musician and I play music for a living now.  However, I had a series of failures when studying at the college level which combined with addiction and snowballed throughout my adult life.  I got to a point where I thought about suicide constantly and thank God I managed to land an amazing wife who encouraged me to let go of my ego and see a psychiatrist.  I could go on about my story, but my question is...........
I have an older brother who suffers from alcoholism and depression.  In many ways he and I are carbon copies of one another.  He too is very creative with no artistic outlet or support for his artistic expression.  We also lost one of our brothers in an accident when we were young.  This has also cast a shadow over our ability to see the positive side existence.  I know that adderall could very well do for him what it has done for me and liberate him.  My concern is that he is mid-forties and on blood pressure meds.  How serious are the warnings about heart conditions when taking adderall? Does anyone know someone who started on adderall after the age of forty? He and I have both had terrible experiences with anti-depressants so I feel like he has exhausted his possibilities as far as other meds.  Any comments would be welcome.

[nxon727]

Sie krank Teufel ; wie können Sie Ihre eigenen Urin als eine Behandlungsmethode zu verwenden. Was zum Teufel machst du damit zu tun. Trink es.

[Dalubaba]

I take Alprozalzm since last 17 yrs to induce sleep. I started with 0.25 and now it is 0.75 or 1mg. I get abour 4 to 5 hours sleep with this dosage.I think I do not have any side effect so far.
Any substitute which can give me 7 to 8  hours sleep is desired. I do yoga,acupressure pranic healing and other things to maintain my health. even I have started urine therapy since last 20 days. I shall evaluate the results in a month or so.

[Phtartist]

www.drugs.com  has the clinical, profession and general descriptions, precautions, pharmacology, uses and drug interactions of the drugs you look up.

Also www.drugdigest.org gives you immediate interactions. The first I gave you is more thorough.

[konyha]

It is difficult for even the most practiced behavioral health professional to make an accurate diagnosis in cases when substance abuse or other addiction is suspected *and* another (possible) underlying disorder.

A tentative diagnosis can be made and medical intervention of some sort is possible, but it has to be easier:
1. With a willing patient
2. When the substance abuse has stopped or held at bay

As you well know, the above scenarios usually don't coincide.

I agree with sang832: your brother needs to be evaluated himself. It's possible your brother's physical condition and the meds he responds to are different than you.  Further, his background, life experience and telling of your family history may not necessarily be the "carbon copy" it seems.

Aren't you curious about the medication (Adderall) you are taking?
The responses to some of the questions you ask are fact-based and do not really require value judgements or anecdotal experience. At minimum, most prescriptions come with the product insert or info provided by the pharmacy.

I am not minimising the compassion and empathy you have for your brother. It must be very hard to feel as if you could do more for him - especially since your life is finally working for you.  What is your relationship with your brother like? Can you break the ice about his habits and talk to him? Does you know how he views the quality of his life?

Since you do have a lot in common:  
"...very creative with no artistic outlet or support for his artistic expression.  We also lost one of our brothers in an accident.."

Is there a way you can be supportive as a friend if your brother is not ready to take the steps you believe would benefit him? He will need your support in some capacity whether he takes meds and/or changes his behavior.

Don't give up on your brother and let us know how things work out for both of you!

[sang832]

Your brother may have the  same add, and could be the same result with adderall. To be sure you'dbetter take him to your psychiatrist before using the adderall, which is  highly addictive/control class 2, besides the  heart related risk. adderall is not the first choice for the  alcoholism your doctor will find the best remedy for him. New drug naltrexone is promissing one for example. camprel, librium, ssri etc.  good luck! and happy holidays!