Posted by viridis on October 14, 2002, at 2:53:11
In reply to Re: Klonopin: What color/shape should ?Viridis, posted by Jefff on October 13, 2002, at 20:04:42
Hi Jeff,
I know exactly how you feel. A few years ago, when I was in a major state of agitated depression, I managed to get my GP to prescribe a short course of Xanax. The sense of calm was great, and I did get a mild buzz as well. Mainly, though, it was just the relief from constant stress and tension that seemed so amazing. Plus, I could finally sleep after weeks of terrible insomnia.
Then I went back to using various antidepressants that made me feel awful, with intermittent psychotherapy that helped a bit, but didn't address the real problems (which are biological). Finally, I found my current psychiatrist, who prescribed both Klonopin and Xanax. The funny thing is, once I got used to the Klonopin (which took a week or two), I stopped using the Xanax, except for really intense situations. I have tons of Xanax around, but I have no desire to use it unless I'm faced with an especially stressful situation. I've never exceeded the prescribed dose of either benzo, and now that I feel normal, I can't imagine doing so.
But, when I do take Xanax, I can definitely feel it. I can't say the same for Klonopin -- it just does what it's supposed to, no more. I suspect that if you can get stabilized you may feel the same way. And hey -- maybe Xanax is what you need. Just be careful if you continue to enjoy it beyond its anxiety-relieving effects. If you have a real anxiety disorder, chances are that benzos won't appeal to you recreationally, and you'll just gradually become accustomed to feeling normal.
By the way, "addiction" is a very misused word, even by doctors. As I understand it, there are three terms that are often confused:
1) Tolerance: you take a medication and over time, need more to achieve the same effect, without becoming obsessed with it or suffering negative effects;
2) Dependence (usually = medical dependency): you take a medication long enough that your system needs it to function normally, and you react badly if the med is stopped suddenly ;
3) Addiction: you become fixated on a drug and often escalate doses despite negative consequences.
Condition 1 sometimes applies to benzos, but apparently is quite rare for people with real anxiety disorders. For us, once the appropriate dose of benzos is reached, the same response is usually achieved long-term, and in fact, some anxiety sufferers voluntarily decrease the dose over time.
Condition 2 is very common with benzo users, and with users of antidepressants, blood pressure meds etc. There are many prescription drugs that shouldn't be stopped suddenly, but this doesn't make them "addictive". They are "habit forming", but only in the sense that you physiologically adjust to them and need time and gradual decrease to discontinue the med (this is common with Paxil, for instance).
Condition 3 appears to be quite rare with benzo users, especially those with a legitimate need, yet ironically the term "addictive" is often applied selectively to this class of drugs. Some people here suggest that this is because they're cheap (off-patent) and have the potential to eat into the patented AD market. I can't say I disagree.
Anyway, it sounds like you're taking the steps that are necessary to get well. I hope the Klonopin helps, and if not, just keep bugging your doctors (politely, and in an informed way) until you get the prescriptions that you need. Then, you should be able to make lifestyle changes that will allow you to be happy in the long term. Good luck!
poster:viridis
thread:123433
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021012/msgs/123560.html