Posted by alan on August 15, 2002, at 1:42:50
In reply to Re: about withdrawal 'syndromes' (a parenthesis), posted by Squiggles on August 14, 2002, at 14:47:24
One, if not the most notorious anti-benzo sites on the internet and so full of half-truths, psudeo-science, and innuendo that it's laughable.
No doubt there are a few that have bad reactions to these drugs as many have to other drugs.
But this type of misinformation about bzds perpetuate the remaining stigma of taking these meds and scare potential candidates for bzd therapy by exaggerating risk by engaging in hyperbole of the highest order.
To place these medications in the same class as heroin and cocaine is simply flat-out irresponsible. To call them "addictive" by tying them in with illicit drugs is not only innaccurate but scaring off people with anxiety disorders that know nothing of the difference between "addiction" and medical dependence.
This is nothing but engagement in universalising for everyone else what has happened to a few unfortunate individuals...who were most likely misdiagnosed, misprescribed, or mismanaged...or as mentioned earlier, simply had a bad reaction to a drug.
Truly unfortunate for those few...but infinitely more unfortunate for those that are discouraged or downright misled into stopping bzds that are working or keeping them from starting them in the first place.
One can not extrapolate from a few bad reactions or poor oversight by a physician on to the entire population. One can not conclude that the medication is exclusively responsible in the ways that this site claims.
Truly insulting to the intelligence of the general public who for the most part need relief from chronic, life stullifying, miserable existences while in the throes of disabling anxiety disorders.
Dr. Heather Ashton is the darling of anti-benzoites since she is an addictionologist and sees everything through that one dimensional prism. Her articles are not her own studies but speculation on a few *selected* others (therefore all of the "perhaps", "tend to's", and "likely's". No peer review, nor science...all speculation.
Alan
poster:alan
thread:116248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020814/msgs/116481.html