Crack Cocaine Addiction: Cocaine Facts

Question: Electroconvulsive therapy for crack/cocaine addiction?

(Posted by: Billy on 2006-09-14 09:03:58)

Does anyone have any experience with using electroconvulsive treatment (shock therapy) for addiction? Does anyone have any experience or information about Electroconvulsive Therapy (shock treatment) being used for addiction? I'm not looking for other treatment suggestions, please just answer my question.

Posted by: Patti C on 2006-09-14, 09:07:24

I didn't know they used it for addictions. I have some experience with it for depression. Not personal experience; a relative had it done for depression. It worked well for her, but it wasn't as immediate as the doctor had hoped. My relative did not have any bad effects from this, so if it is offered, I would give it a try (whether it is for you or someone else). Good luck

Posted by: ashleigh on 2006-09-14, 09:08:33

No. but i have heard that it was very painful, just from what ive seen i would try to find another way to get clean like rehab

Posted by: Stacy on 2006-09-14, 09:13:16

I have never heard of using ECT for addictions. The current philosophy for ECT is that it is very effective for depression that is resistant to drug therapy. If you are thinking of using shock as a deterrent for using drugs it wouldn't work. ECT is nothing like what you see in the old movies. A person is given a sedative before the treatment to relax their muscles (the shock causes convulsions that can lead to injuries if the muscles aren't relaxed). Often times the person does not remember the treatment at all. Because of this no connection could be made between a behavior and the treatment. As for altering the brain chemistry and thus decreasing addiction I have not seen any research on this. For the most current research on addiction check out the National Institute of Drug Addiction (NIDA) web page nida.nih.gov

Posted by: moo on 2006-09-14, 09:15:46

My mum who has had sever depression has had ECT courses on three different relapses, it is the only thing that cures her.... however i think it is short tem......it is not a painful treatment at all as you have sedation and muscle relaxants......my mum never remembers the treatments, without them i dont know where she would be today, probably a mad woman, without being unkind! i know it is used to treat scitofrenia(sp).. cocaine is an addiction though cold turkey in rehab would be the best bet! Good luck..... thank you for ECT...dont be afraid of it... i really hate the bad press around it. take it from my mum it works and she owes lots to the drs who believe in it.

Posted by: Ms. Bossy on 2006-09-14, 12:29:45

I would suggest an alternative....N/ A meetings....I am a recovering drug addict and it has changed my life....addiction is a two-fold disease - mind and body - If you are interested try this website below:

Posted by: gmonte33 on 2006-09-14, 19:48:22

I've never heard of ECT being used for cocaine dependence. I thought it was used primarily in severe mood disorders and catatonic schizophrenia for people who haven't responded to medication.