Wellbutrin for addiction?

[BioNerd]

Is this a thing?

[SwimDeep]

I haven't ever heard of it being used for addiction treatment, but if someone is self-medicating for depression with alcohol, taking an anti-depressant might help them overcome their dependence on alcohol.

I've taken wellbutrin in the past, and from what I remember it wasn't "fun" (that is, it didn't give me a high - but everyone's different, especially when it comes to antidepressants).

Is your H taking it?

[BioNerd]

He said that his primary doctor Rxd it today

[flex]

I've been on Wellbutrin for years but I wasn't prescribed it because of my addictions. I don't see what the correlation would be, except for perhaps helping with the symptoms of coming off a nicotine addiction.

[BioNerd]

No nicotine. Just pills.

[flex]

There's no "high" to Wellbutrin, so I don't see anything wrong with taking Wellbutrin. It saved my life so I'm a big fan of it. lol

[malibu]

My aunt was given Wellbutrin - she's an alcoholic and former (or possibly current) drug user, no one really knows. She's LITERALLY killing herself drinking, was given about five years to live three years ago. I can't say in her experience that it worked as a tool in her addiction, as she's continuing to drink. I was under the impression that's what she was given to curb cravings, but it's possible it was prescribed as an AD with a possible 'side effect' of curbing cravings.

[lexxasaurus]

So I think if someone is using drugs/alcohol to cope with underlying feelings of depression or anxiety that it would help because it would relieve the psychological need to self medicate. It won't "get you high" and I've never heard of it actually being used to kick the addiction but I don't see the harm. Hopefully he has a good experience, I know Wellbutrin has been a lifesaver for some.

[kcr1972]

I started back on wellbutrin yesterday anf addiction was a consideration.

[Deleted]

My dad took it to help quit smoking. I suppose that is addiction is it might help for other addictions too.

[cinnamoncox]

I don't know that I've heard it prescribed for addiction, but it's not at all uncommon for addicts to be using (drugs/alcohol) to self medicated depression and/or anxiety, so I could see it being prescribed to help the underlying cause (perhaps) of the addiction.