Posted by gilbert on February 24, 2002, at 17:51:20
In reply to Re: references on xanax use...alan » gilbert, posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 18:19:59
There is certainly very good evidence on the internet including the internet mental health files which indicate addition as a potential occurence with benzo use. I have searched the net from top to bottom and the whole dependecy vs addiction issue appears to be a minority opionion.
Most doctors and sites on the net list ssri's as a first line treatment to panic. Most internet and health sites list benzo use to remain under 4 weeks very very few recomend long term use. The odd thing is most panic patients disagree with medical community on this issue, myself included. Benzos are by far the most effective panic medication with the least side effects. The problem is who will eventually react poorly to them or become tolerant like in my case. If there was a choice of staying on xanax or klonopin vs ssri chemical castration I think we would both agree benzos are best. I am not sure that the same tolerance will not occur with me on an anti depressant either. I wish there were a simple answer. I am currently on low dose prozac which I hate, I am afraid to try nardil, I am going to try neurontin but from what I have read it does not seem to be all it's cracked up to be, I have no more chances with benzos due to my addictivie nature........where to turn......
As far as addiction vs dependency this really get's to splitting hairs because very few people on high doses of xanax cannot stop abrubtly without dyer consequences.....Now I am in the addiction field and I know the true defintions and standards of addiction and certainly I will not equate taking xanax with typical addiction but I will tell you this is by far the hardest drug for me personally to stop without total confusion and panic. I have some experience here.
I was detoxed off vodka in 1981 inpatient, off of vodka again in 1986 and have come off numerous drugs in my "stoner days". This all feels very familiar.Thanks,
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:94969
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95342.html