Posted by Daniel on March 25, 2000, at 22:11:43
In reply to Klonopin or Alcohol?, posted by Raymond on March 21, 2000, at 17:10:29
> Hi, My name is Ray and this is my first post on this site, having only found it today. I am a recovering alcoholic, who is now in the process of looking into the reasons (self-medication?) that I drank, as I have always been prone to panic and/or anxiety attacks. I know I need psychotherapy, and my first tentative foray into that area matched me with a well-meaning doctor who prescribed Klonopin for me, 2mgs. 4x/day. It worked (oh, how it worked!), but I quickly realized that it was doing for me what the alcohol always did...took the edge off life, and in some instances I absolutely shined as an employee, partner, and all-round human being. I also saw the insidiousness of it for that reason. So I stopped it on my own and stopped therapy after a few sessions.
> After a year, I am barely hanging with my high-profile silicon valley job...sometimes I want to crawl under my desk and hide....or drink or take 2 mgs, in which case everytthing would be alright.
> I don't want to live with this fear anymore. Talk to me!Hi Ray
I was an alcoholic and Dr. Bob's posting is right on the mark. You sound hip enough to your own tendencies not to fall into the tranquilizer trap. That said, meds can be a temporary crutch while you work out underlying reasons for anxiety. As Bob pointed out, there's no quick and dirty fix. I got physically ill from alcoholism and eventually got around to therapy. Note: there are all kinds of therapists out there, just like any other profession. Don't be too picky, but find someone you feel comfortable with and who gives reasonable feedback. I second Bob's opinion that your prescribing doc. should not be your therapist. I would also venture, apologies to Dr. Bob, that many psychiatrists make poor therapists. Shop around. PS - It has worked for me. Best of luck.
poster:Daniel
thread:27769
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28169.html