Posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 17:45:07
In reply to Re: xanax for years is s big deal » gilbert, posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 15:28:27
Alan,
I have looked into both references you mentioned and also love the bearpaw panic materil I think it may be the best on the web. You are correct I did generalize, however my experience comes from real life not studies printied on the internet. I would have to say of all my friends relatives and personal contacts I have had over the past 20 years that most people do not have such an easy ride with benzos.....now the population of people I speak of are more addictive than your average Joe. I have been involved with drug addicts and alcoholics since the late 70's. I have been sober for 16 years. Many members of AA and many members of my panic Recovery group have both had trouble not increasing benzo use and coming off benzos. I could site at least 50 people in the last 10 years who have had major major problems. Of course the same can be said for paxil, effexor and zoloft as well. I am not against benzos for the right person. I am gratefull they are around and I know they are usefull but they are a huge let down when they stop working and getting off of them makes detox look like a picnic. I know you read my post about the old klonopin switch not working. I am actually jealous of people who can maintain same dose use year after year. But I do believe that the 2 sources you have sighted are weighted on the optimistic side. I can sight many mnay studies off the internet and even Upjohn studies showing the addictive nature of xanax. I will respect your intelligence and assume if you would like to find those you can with a simple google search. I can also find proponents of their use like DR Shipko. I think to site just the one side of the coin and not the other especially for people wanting to try the drug is misleading. Your experience may be wonderfull, mine was and now is not, who would be able to tell prior to meds how each of us would respond. You site pro benzo references because you are having a very positive experience with them and I think that's great. I can site other refernces which would counter most of what bearpaw, DR shipko, and others have said. We need to be informed of both sides not just one. It does not mean I am right and you are wrong....it just means that drug use is so individual we really can't project our experinces to others even if we have refernces to enforce our beliefs.
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:94969
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95252.html