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Re: Addictive meds in general:my two cents

Posted by Daveman on June 22, 2001, at 22:09:37

In reply to Re: Addictive meds in general:Gdog, Gilbert JCB, posted by Sulpicia on June 22, 2001, at 17:04:48

Based on what I've read; discussions with my doc; and my own somewhat limited experience; I do think it is an oversimplification to state that dependency on benzos is psychological not physiological. It does seem clear that the main mechanism of action of the benzos is to bind to the GABA-A receptor sites in the brain and heighten the effect of GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid); therefore it is also logical that, at high enough doses over long enough periods, the brain would adjust to the presence of the effectuating agent by reducing the amount of GABA naturally produced. Thus the logic of tapering slowly; so that the brain can adjust to the deprivation of the effectuating agent and begin producing more natural GABA. (This is a very rough understanding, feel free to correct me:))

I also would not necessarily discount the horror stories some people have about the benzos. Consider that there have been many millions of scripts written for these medications; it is a statistical inevitability that there will be some adverse reactions. I liken it to being killed in a plane crash; the statistical odds of this happening are astronomically small, but that makes you no less dead if you're the one killed in such a crash. Similarly, the likelihood is that if you take benzos under careful monitoring of a knowledgeable pdoc, the odds of a truly bad outcome are small, but the people in that group suffer no less because the odds were against it.

There are risks in any endeavor. Driving is a good example. Any medication entails some risk, the key is whether the patient is properly advised of the potential risks, and is properly monitored and follows their doctor's advice to reduce the odds of an adverse outcome even further.

Dave


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