Posted by Daveman on July 31, 2001, at 23:57:27
In reply to Re: misunderstandings about benzodiazepines » Elizabeth, posted by Alan on July 31, 2001, at 20:13:19
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> Any guesses or insights as to how this movement got started and keeps going - and is based in the UK? Does it have to do with the "addictiveness" issue in general, the drug war on narcotics or just anything associated with "addiction" and all of the misunderstandings and stigma that you posted about?
> Or is it additionally related to something else? The prospect of being on a med for a chronic condition for a long period, thinking they'll end up an addict?
>
> Why isn't there an eqivalently strident anti-ssri movement - an anti-anticonvulsant movement? They have a discontinuation syndrome associated with them. I find the anti-benzo zealotry and scare tactics particularly disturbing and puzzling (it actually had me fooled for a long time) in view of the many that are suffering needlessly while going under or untreated with the very drug that will help relieve their suffering.....
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> Looking forward to your insights.
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> Best,
>
> AlanOkay, here's my two cents:
Any drug is going to have adverse reactions. In the case of the benzos, there have been many millions of prescriptions filled, especially during their "wonder drug" phase (see my earlier post re: Hegelian Logic and Benzos). With so many benzos scripted over the years, there are bound to be more adverse reactions than to many other drugs. Many of those that suffered such reactions have found each other and formed a support community.
Also, I think many benzos- valium in particular- were wildly overprescribed without any forewarnings of the potential problems this might cause. There is no doubt that if you take benzos in high enough doses for long enough, you will form a physiological dependency (which is hypothesized to be due to the "down-regulating" of the natural production of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) by the brain. Most of those who are taking benzos long term while under the care of a knowledgeable psychopharmacologist understand this and accept the "trade" of physiologic dependency for effective control of debilitating anxiety.
I actually think that the anti-benzo folks have performed a valuable service in counteracting the overprescription of benzos where not properly monitored or medically indicated. But like any zealots, they go way too far in claiming that long term use of benzos is NEVER appropriate.
As to Great Britain, I don't really know, but I think it may be due to the prevelance of valium as the benzo of choice. Valium is probably the benzo most susceptible to addiction.
Finally, as to the SSRI's- you are wrong to say there is no anti-SSRI hysteria. Do a web search and you will find numerous anti-SSRI websites. SSRI's have also IMHO been wildly overprescribed. I do think there is a big difference between SSRI's and benzos in that benzos are "immediate response" drugs and thus are more susceptible to true addiction. I doubt they'll ever be a "street" market for Celexa like there is for Xanax; you can't get a buzz off Celexa no matter how much you take (unless you consider Serotonin Syndrome a "buzz":)) But with lawyers blaming SSRI's for suicides and murderous rampages, the anti-SSRI hysteria is definitely out there.
Dave
poster:Daveman
thread:71316
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/72829.html