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128 Comments
- fluidfoundation, on 10/11/2007, -2/+42Now, if they could just figure out how to cure epilepsy with a nice stiff drink, we'd be set.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -1/+13bookmarked for when I'm in my 70's.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Sigh...Digg was once a good site, until dumb morons like 1laradream turned stories about how a drug MAY help with alcoholism into ALCOHOLISM CURED! Seriously, 1laradream ...you HAD to know your title was *****. So, why, other than being an idiot, would you type what you did? The story would have been just as compelling if you titled it Epilepsy Drug may help cure Alcoholism. And then you wouldn't like like a jackass.
- WaterDragon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8FTA:
"Topiramate works by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which reinforces the pleasurable feelings that alcoholics get when they drink."
Great! Now we can all get drunk and play the Topira-mating game!
But seriously, since smoking cigarettes also increases Dopamine levels, they sho9uld really have taken smoking behaviors into account when doing the study.
But what can you expect from these typical, half-assed pseudo-scientists?
If this drug really does what they claim, maybe it should be added to alcoholic beverages, when they are manufactured.
So then we can still enjoy alcohol....but not so much.
I bet this drug can also be used to help people quit or moderate theri smoking, if it is a Dopamine blocker.'
But since Dopamine is part of the normal chemical process of the brain, and SINCE IT IS NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD, it may not be such a good idea to promote such a synthetic drug, that diminishes Dopamine production.
After all, it is probably just another case of pharmaceutical firms manipulating unknown things for....you guessed it...PROFIT! - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+7I have news for you guys, this study was funded by the makers of Topamax, the drug in question. Need proof? "The study, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, was funded by the maker of the drug, Johnson & Johnson Inc.'s Ortho-McNeil Neurologics. The researchers also reported financial ties to the company. Ortho-McNeil reviewed the manuscript, but did not change the results or interpretation, the researchers reported."
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071010/ap_on_he_me/al ... - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8This is completely false and has been thoroughly proven scientifically. You are just an opinionated fool.
- marrstu, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5I use to take Topomax for seizures however quit it due to horrible side affects, I was so dizzy I could not function not to mention the anxiety's it gave me, which is weird I normally never feel common side affects of medicines Also would mention I am now a alcoholic but I would never go back to that drug.
- patch6, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Take a look at side effects before making any rash decisions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiramate can be a start, but additional corroboration won't hurt.
Also, a study on how this drug has a negative impact on cognition: http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/69/5/636 - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Inaccurate. There is no "cure" for alcoholism. The listed treatment *may* help *some* alcoholics deal with cravings. This is in no way, shape or form a "cure". Misleading headline.
- PATSCRU, on 10/11/2007, -3/+7Ummm...i don't know about you guys, but every drug i've taken has increased my alcoholism.
- HollowMarkeD, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Yes you can. Crack babies one example. Alcholosim is a genetic trait that can be passed on down the generations, although its not as black and white and simplistic as that.
- mcmlxxii, on 10/11/2007, -7/+11Alcoholism is a choice, not a disease. The worst thing you can tell an alcoholic is that he/she has a disease - it completely removes personal responsibility from the equation. It isn't easy to stop believe me (easier with Rational Recovery) but it beats every other option by a country mile.
- lerker, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5An ideal is all very well and good to have. But, back in the real world, there are people who are suffering this addiction. If we can find a way to help them kick the habit then any decent human being would agree it's a good thing, rather than spouting some head-in-the-clouds "Don't get sick in the first place" nonsense.
- fuzzmello, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Topiramate may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* slow thinking or movements
* difficulty concentrating
* speech problems, especially difficulty thinking of specific words
* memory problems
* lack of coordination
* trouble walking
* confusion
* nervousness
* aggressive behavior
* irritability
* mood swings
* depression
* headache
* extreme tiredness
* drowsiness
* weakness
* extreme thirst
* weight loss
* constipation
* diarrhea
* gas
* heartburn
* change in ability to taste food
* swelling of the tongue
* overgrowth of the gums
* dry mouth
* increased saliva
* trouble swallowing
* nosebleed
* teary or dry eyes
* back, muscle, or bone pain
* missed menstrual periods
* excessive menstrual bleeding
* skin problems or changes in skin color
* dandruff
* hair loss
* growth of hair in unusual places
* runny nose
* difficulty falling or staying asleep
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
* blurred vision
* eye pain
* double vision
* tingling in fingers or toes
* shaking hands that you cannot control
* restlessness, inability to sit still
* crossed eyes
* worsening of seizures
* slow heart rate
* pounding or irregular heartbeat
* chest pain
* trouble breathing
* fast, shallow breathing
* inability to respond to things around you
* upset stomach
* vomiting
* stomach pain
* loss of appetite
* excessive hunger
* unintentional loss of urine
* difficult or painful urination
* unusual bruising or bleeding
* sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
* muscle weakness
* bone pain
Topiramate may cause osteoporosis (a condition in which bones can break more easily) in adults and rickets (abnormal, curved bone growth) in children.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmas ... - BarbaraKolbe, on 10/11/2007, -2/+6Needs more testing but sounds promising.
- Heracles, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4"Here's to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems."
- mcmlxxii, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Oh do me a favour. Some people can't just have one drink - they have to get wasted - I should know. What's the answer to that problem? DON'T DRINK - it isn't rocket science. If you tell people they have a disease (which they don't) then you actually give them an excuse to get wasted "ooo sorry but I can't help it - I'm sick". Yawn.
- justo, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5It's also being used to treat obesity and prevent diabetes
- nick111, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4Fascism is a choice, not a disease. Conservatism is a choice, not a disease - though it does appear to arise out of retarded emotional development.
Alcholism is actually a disease... and treating it as such has been found to give the best results. - Scumbunny, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Hmm. Stop craving and desire and you stop suffering and pain? The Buddhists are right....
- mrurc, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Nice try but...
There are multiple types of dopamine receptors. Many drugs that inhibit the release of a neurotransmitter work by attaching to a specific receptor type, with each receptor type having a different functions and structures. Dopamine has 5 different receptor types, and the article did not mention which type that they think is effective. Receptor types are used to target drugs to specific ailments.
But what can I expect from someone who didn't understand the article enough to spot the part that says that the drug works by inhibiting dopamine release, not by blocking dopamine. (Your statement: "I bet this drug can also be used to help people quit or moderate theri smoking, if it is a Dopamine blocker." Dopamine blockers inhibit the bonding of dopamine to the receptors, not the release of dopamine into the synapse.) Decreased dopamine production would be a side-effect but it is also a side effect of many tricyclic anti-depressants. The side-effects of decreased dopamine are well documented and are already documented in the literature for this drug, which is already on the market. Artificial and short-term decreases in neurotransmitter production are usually easily recovered.
You do not know if the scientists took smoking behavior into account. You do not know if smoking decreases dopamine levels in the synapses in the same way as this drug. We change neurotransmitter levels in the brain frequently, because many medications that are not prescribed to fix something in the brain affect neurotransmitters, such as birth control pills. Hormones are neurotransmitters, as is histamine. Heck, I take a tricyclic to decrease my histamine levels.
Speaking of pseudo-scientists... - Punisher2K, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5It's not a disease when you can walk away from the problem.
Being an addict is a psychological problem, not a disease. Anyone with a real disease like cancer would love to trade. - mrurc, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3DUDE! Do you even know what gay means? It means happy!
Sorry, my lowest common denominator gene is acting up. I think I need a dopamine blocker so it don't feel so good. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Maybe it's just me, but I'm thinking that if optimism, creativity, and a positive outlook are enough to make your alcoholism go away, then maybe, just maybe, you aren't really an alcoholic. Just a thought.
- alittleroy101, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Actually, some little pill does help with DTs. That's partly why people go into supervised detox.
- nreynolds, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3you know, most people get off the patch after not too long. at least, that's what you're supposed to do.
- plokij909, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Does that mean you can cure epilepsy with beer?
- fisherandsons, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2my girlfriend was put on this by her neurologist to help with migraines. please, please do your research before you call this medication a miracle anything. she suffered through 6 months on topamax. she asked to come off, her neuro refused saying it was regulating her headaches at least. not only did food become utterly disgusting to her, her life became unimportant and inconsequential, nothing seemed important.
she finally told him she was coming off and he told her to just stop, that 100mg was not enough to cause a problem. she didn't sleep for days, ended up in the ER. 3 weeks later she's still having problems. after consulting with others on the med for different reasons and at different dosages this is a common occurrence. i thought seeing people on depakote and lithium was bad but this is much worse. this drug is dangerous but they're handing it out left and right to cure everything under the sun. it's disgusting. figures the makers funded this research, they're pushing this stuff on everyone. - benroy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2if doctors can give viagra to newborns for specific heart defects http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?art ... it's not that much of a stretch that seizure suppression drugs might help alcoholics. withdrawl can be harsh for some people.
but it also seems that pharmaceutical development is focused more on creating a drug that will pass fda standards, THEN finding what it's potential uses are. that's what marketing guys gut tight in the pants about. - WaterDragon, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Sounds like it's time for somebody to quit doing coke!
- thirteenthcor, on 10/11/2007, -5/+7Yes! its true! many socially unacceptable problems can be cured with simple additions of Daily optimism, Activity, and Creativity. Why if more homosexual people were active and happy, as opposed to sitting at home looking at a comment driven news site, they might to not be gay! and people with AIDS and cancer? well! give them a few coloring books with some oversaturated crayons, and they should be right as rain in a few weeks!
Alcoholisim is a disease, the addiction sometimes genetic and hereditary, and can be a destructive as the big name stuff when it comes to people, heroin, cocaine, meth...
tastypickle, you are an asshat!
good day sir! - mahdaeng, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Wrong. Addiction to anything is slavery.
- forgiste, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2While I am an opinionated fool, how could a chemical imbalance possibly force someone to commit the act of physically feeding their addiction? An addiction may make someone want to do something, but it can't force them. You still have to put forth the effort to buy the alcohol and consume it.
I think my point here isn't so much that addiction in general can be cured with willpower alone, more that some addictions are positive. Art for one. I've got quite a list of addictions myself that replace my old ones, but I did go through a period of deep personal reflection during which I was addiction free. I lived like this for a solid 2 years. And then I intentionally allowed myself to indulge in society once again. And here we are, addiction city. I found that it all started with an addiction to mass media (TV), and then by refusing to watch TV anymore I gradually replaced it with a plethora of other addictions. but these addictions do not actually cut into my free time. I've got so many of them in fact that they all kind of balance out my schedule. My health is not suffering. I still find time for exercise and personal betterment. Spelling and Grammar not included.
I admit that I was a little presumptuous to spout my personal path out of alcoholism from the mountaintop, as though it would work for everyone. I just felt like sharing my personal experience, and I had grown a little angry from reading the other comments as I scrolled down. I'll do better next time daddy. I pwomise. - HollowMarkeD, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Your firsthand facts go against reams of medical journals done in scientific conditions.
- kamisama, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I don't know why people digg you down, but I have about the same opinion on this. I know quite a bit about alcoholism since my dad is one (dry for over 20 years now). On top of that some people in my group of friends have problems with it. One of those really stands out a it is very obvious he has a serious issue. Anyway doctors seem to have thought along the way that it would be good to treat it with methadone, and yes I'm talking about an alcoholic. So a few years later he's hooked on both. Way to go people. This stuff actually happens ... and now they wanna try with epilepsy medicines? What kinds? Nootropil or depacine and such, they gave me this when I was only 11 years old because they thought I had a slight epilepsy problem. Took me more than 10 years to recover. And now they are gonna start playing with it on people who already have a big issue to overcome? For what so they can sell some more pills?
- johndi, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3What is this "sun" you speak of?
Check out your comment ratio per time as member. Bail while you still remember what it looks like. - nick111, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Your first-hand experience doesn't qualify you to asert "facts" about anyone except yourself - and even then it's fairly dubious.
- Salzar, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3I think the LSD treatment needs more testing.
- Xlr8ed, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Alcoholism isn't just a physical disease, as most Alcoholic's will tell you, it just if not more MENTAL as it is physical...My older brother, who is has been in recovery for many years, still refers to himself as an alcoholic, just one that has quit drinking.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2You know, I love how everyone just assumes that all alcoholism is the same. Alcoholism can be a phsyiological dependency, or it can be someone who's just stupid and drinks a little too much. This is what happens when we start calling everything alcoholism. A lot of people we would label as alcoholic just need a little self-motivation, and they can give it up easily. However, the people who should really be labeled alcoholic will go into withdrawal if they just try to quit cold turkey.
It's not that alcoholism isn't a disease, it's that we call everyone who has even a slight drinking problem an alcoholic. - inactive, on 10/20/2007, -0/+2That's exactly my point. Most people we call alcoholics can just walk away from the problem, and so we really shouldn't be calling them alcoholics, because it gives the impression that alcoholism is a disease. Some people, though, can't walk away from it. Not because of any psychological barriers, but because they'll go into withdrawal, they won't be able to function if they try.
- johndi, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3I see the Fundies are out if force today. Nicotine isn't really bad for you. It even shows promise for treating some diseases. Tobacco on the other hand, especially when smoked, is terrible for you.
- forgiste, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Yes, and also note my reply that explains that although the body can become dependent and or addicted, as you say due to an imbalance, the imbalance alone does not force you to feed your addiction.
Upon retrospect what I said does seem quite impractical. But my main point still stands. People all over the world have enough willpower to just stop abusing alcohol/internet/themselves and if more people were that strong willed, we'd have a better world. But instead of pushing true recovery, it seems like everyone is pushing more and more chemicals down peoples throats.
We both make good arguments. I just don't like the idea of "quick fixing" everything. Sure it seems fine now, but in a few years we may find that this treatment actually causes more harm than good. Then again, you never know. - Humptydank, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Wow, free shotguns, porches, and rocking chairs for everyone!
- mahdaeng, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1What a kind thing to say. You wish the pain of addiction on another person. You're a real humanitarian.
- Vaiosaurus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In the big book it actually does say you can be recovered. Any alcoholic can be recovered if they work the steps and do the 10th 11th and 12th step every day. Through those steps they are granted a daily reprieve from alcoholism.
- alittleroy101, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1So many young Rush Limbaughs in this thread.
- mahdaeng, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You, my friend, are on the wrong site to be talking about optimism, activity, and creativity.
:^) - Humptydank, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well now you do. No alcoholic can ever lay claim to have successfully recovered, but I had ten years as an alcoholic and a drug addict and now have nine years clean. It's something I live with every moment of every day even after this long. What's helped me most, however, the center of my faith in my recovery, has been other people. The counselors in rehab, the people in groups, my friends and my family who supported me, and what was, perhaps, the greatest personal factor in my success to-date, the strategies and wisdom I got on how to stay clean from people who had been doing it a lot longer than I had.
I don't begrudge anyone a belief in God, or a higher power, or whatever semantics you want to bring to it. Just the opposite, I celebrate it, specially if it helps them stay clean. I'm even conservative when it comes to the lately-fashionable "chart-your-own-path" schools of recovery. But saying that there is a single way to a sober life, especially if some people who could be sober can't accept that particular solution, runs the risk of creating yet another barrier to getting help.
People who believe in God are used to putting God first, and I really do respect that. But in the unique life-and-death episode of trying to keep someone sober, keeping them them sober has to come first. If that means forming or renewing a faith in God, then I support that. If that means some other positive solution that works for them, then I support that, and I honestly believe God would too. - alittleroy101, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The word God is iffy in this context. I prefer a moer vague "higher power"
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