I understand that heroin elevates your serotonin - neurotransmitter that elevates your mood. And, when you don't use heroin for a while, you suffer depression. Well, does this go away with time or therapy. If so, how long and what helps?
Just wondering.
Lois
The neurotransmitters can be permanently damaged but I think it depends on how long you were using heroin in the first place
Can you give any idea of "how long" using herion? One year, five years, ten years? If ex-users do suffer depression is it likely to be for life and is there then a need for anti-depressants? Thanks.
He used oxycontins for 6 months, then heroin for three months. Then he went on subs for 2 months, then on occassional lortabs for a few months then back to heroin for a few months. This is my closes estimate.
For me depression set in pretty heavy during my first 2 months clean. That had alot to do with the fact that I ran from everything for so long that once the drugs were gone I had a TON of unresolved issues that came over me all at once. I was taught not to panic and find a new way of dealing with lifes daily struggles....a start was to face my fears, worries, and regrets head on. Once the fog started to lift, I began to be happy and finally comfortable in my own skin. One cant put a time limit on healing nor does it come with a "how to" kit. Thankfully I did not have to take anti~depressants during that time on up until this very day but everyone's struggle is different. All the best!
Darin
Darin
Darin - that is comforting to know.
Thanks!
Lois
Thanks!
Lois
"Pleasurable activities cause the release of endorphins, and this endorphin-rush can conceivably become 'addictive'. Evolutionary biologists have suggested this process of attentuating pleasure pathways is part of the brain's natural system for ensuring that humans develop abiding interests. Since human societies depend on enduring attachments, many theorists suggest such addictions are not necessarily a problem. Other views, such as the those summarized in Buddhist concept of tanha, suggest trivial attachments are at the root of much human suffering.
The pathways oriented to endorphins, sometimes called pleasure centers originated in small organisms such as insects, which rely on the neurological system to help them find familiar sources of food.
Endorphins stimulate activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine after initially activating opioid receptors earlier in the nervous circuit. Increased dopamine activity is often met by a decrease in the number of receptors sensitive to dopamine. This process is called downregulation. The decreased number of receptors tends to result in reduced electrical activity along post-synaptic nerve pathways, unless some behavior or substance causes a continued high level of dopaminergic stimulation. The absence of a pleasurable sensation in conditions that were formally sufficient can cause a mild feeling of let-down after receptors have been downregulated. The increased requirement for dopamine to maintain the same electrical activity is the basis of both physiological tolerance and withdrawal associated with addiction.
The middle striatal reward pathway has been most strongly linked with addictive and reward behavior. This pathway utilizes dopamine as a neurotransmitter and receives presynaptic input (from earlier in the circuit--it gets signals from these earlier in the circuit cells) from cells that respond to cannibinoids, nicotine (receptor subtype is nicotinic), and from cells that respond to endogenous opioid substances such as endorphins or enkephalins. Cells that are said to respond to a particular neurotransmitter (or agonists) contain, at the postsynaptic end (receiving area of the cell) receptors for that neurotransmitter. Many believe that there are more neurotransmitters involved with addiction than just dopamine including seratonin, norpenephrine, and the endocannibinoid anandinine."
For more information see: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Addiction
Heroin directly effects the neurotransmitter Dopamine. Not enough information is known about seratonin being effected by heroin abuse- although it is true that one would become depressed after using. They become depressed because they have to find a new way of life considering they have used a drug for such a long period of time that they have forgotten how to maintain a healthy lifestyle without the compulsive use of drugs. They have to bring themselves back to reality and rediscover their happinesses and the meaning of LIFE. Your son having 2 years of opiate abuse, (not sure how much exactly that he was using) it seems that he would have a better chance of recovery rather than someone who has been using for 15-20-30 years. AS far as heroin addiction causing long-term depression, I do not think that is the case. Then again, it
always depends on the length of his usage, the amount of his usage, and his own personal views on life he had BEFORE the addiction. With the proper treatment and positive influences, and of course, his own decision and willpower
to remain clean, the depression created by withdrawal could be treated naturally. Being involved in healthy tasks such as: jogging, walking dogs in the sunshine, hanging out with clean friends and having intellectually stimulating conversations, listening to and performing music, watching movies with friends, going to bookstores/libraries, eating out at restaurants, eating pasta (believe it or not, carbohydrates stimulate serotonin)!
What is he doing for his recovery and how long has he been sober?
Also, If he has dealt with depression before, you can research Dual-Diagnostics and find that using heroin and having depression can counteract one another.
Good luck!
The pathways oriented to endorphins, sometimes called pleasure centers originated in small organisms such as insects, which rely on the neurological system to help them find familiar sources of food.
Endorphins stimulate activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine after initially activating opioid receptors earlier in the nervous circuit. Increased dopamine activity is often met by a decrease in the number of receptors sensitive to dopamine. This process is called downregulation. The decreased number of receptors tends to result in reduced electrical activity along post-synaptic nerve pathways, unless some behavior or substance causes a continued high level of dopaminergic stimulation. The absence of a pleasurable sensation in conditions that were formally sufficient can cause a mild feeling of let-down after receptors have been downregulated. The increased requirement for dopamine to maintain the same electrical activity is the basis of both physiological tolerance and withdrawal associated with addiction.
The middle striatal reward pathway has been most strongly linked with addictive and reward behavior. This pathway utilizes dopamine as a neurotransmitter and receives presynaptic input (from earlier in the circuit--it gets signals from these earlier in the circuit cells) from cells that respond to cannibinoids, nicotine (receptor subtype is nicotinic), and from cells that respond to endogenous opioid substances such as endorphins or enkephalins. Cells that are said to respond to a particular neurotransmitter (or agonists) contain, at the postsynaptic end (receiving area of the cell) receptors for that neurotransmitter. Many believe that there are more neurotransmitters involved with addiction than just dopamine including seratonin, norpenephrine, and the endocannibinoid anandinine."
For more information see: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Addiction
Heroin directly effects the neurotransmitter Dopamine. Not enough information is known about seratonin being effected by heroin abuse- although it is true that one would become depressed after using. They become depressed because they have to find a new way of life considering they have used a drug for such a long period of time that they have forgotten how to maintain a healthy lifestyle without the compulsive use of drugs. They have to bring themselves back to reality and rediscover their happinesses and the meaning of LIFE. Your son having 2 years of opiate abuse, (not sure how much exactly that he was using) it seems that he would have a better chance of recovery rather than someone who has been using for 15-20-30 years. AS far as heroin addiction causing long-term depression, I do not think that is the case. Then again, it
always depends on the length of his usage, the amount of his usage, and his own personal views on life he had BEFORE the addiction. With the proper treatment and positive influences, and of course, his own decision and willpower
to remain clean, the depression created by withdrawal could be treated naturally. Being involved in healthy tasks such as: jogging, walking dogs in the sunshine, hanging out with clean friends and having intellectually stimulating conversations, listening to and performing music, watching movies with friends, going to bookstores/libraries, eating out at restaurants, eating pasta (believe it or not, carbohydrates stimulate serotonin)!
What is he doing for his recovery and how long has he been sober?
Also, If he has dealt with depression before, you can research Dual-Diagnostics and find that using heroin and having depression can counteract one another.
Good luck!
Dear Lois,
My son turned to drugs because of untreated depression over the loss of a relationship with his girlfriend. She has suffered with depression for years and was drinking with the medication and would do crazy things. My son (from what I was told by him) started on vicodin he got from a friend for pain when an injury flared up. He said that the person didn't have anymore vicodin, and offered him oxycontin saying is was almost the same thing. He later turned to heroin because it was cheaper and easier to get. I'm not sure I believe the whole story.
After rehab, my son struggled with depression but this time it was treated with zoloft. He started at 50 mg and didn't feel it was enough. He went up to 100 mg and felt it was better for him. He stayed on for about 6 months. My son is known for being the "life of the party" and the "party planner" from his college and apartment days. The boredom from not having a social life (because his girlfriend and he were separated and his old friends all drank and he was trying to stay away from it) was getting him so down that I was afraid he was headed back to using.
Like Darin said...everyone's situation is different so the dose and time would vary. I hope this is of some help to you.
Love,
Susan
My son turned to drugs because of untreated depression over the loss of a relationship with his girlfriend. She has suffered with depression for years and was drinking with the medication and would do crazy things. My son (from what I was told by him) started on vicodin he got from a friend for pain when an injury flared up. He said that the person didn't have anymore vicodin, and offered him oxycontin saying is was almost the same thing. He later turned to heroin because it was cheaper and easier to get. I'm not sure I believe the whole story.
After rehab, my son struggled with depression but this time it was treated with zoloft. He started at 50 mg and didn't feel it was enough. He went up to 100 mg and felt it was better for him. He stayed on for about 6 months. My son is known for being the "life of the party" and the "party planner" from his college and apartment days. The boredom from not having a social life (because his girlfriend and he were separated and his old friends all drank and he was trying to stay away from it) was getting him so down that I was afraid he was headed back to using.
Like Darin said...everyone's situation is different so the dose and time would vary. I hope this is of some help to you.
Love,
Susan
