Posted by KikiCabell on December 22, 2004, at 9:07:40
In reply to Re: Something that is not politically correct....... » ed_uk, posted by jujube on December 22, 2004, at 8:27:56
I think it's an interesting question but I, too, self-medicated with alcohol for many years, also never at work, though. Unfortunately, alcohol actually causes anxiety as and after it leaves the body so the morning after drinking, one's anxiety often soars through the roof - until one has another drink. It IS so very addictive to some and, perhaps the worst thing for us, it can interfer with meds.
All that said, I personally don't see a problem with a drink or two to help ease social anxiety. Ideally we would all be capable of handling it on our own but I know, as a shy person, how difficult it can be. And a glass of wine with dinner can be a very nice thing, indeed.
> Is this from an actual study or something? How bizarre! Can you imagine someone pulling out a fifth of gin or cracking open a beer or a bottle of wine at work and telling their boss that they are under doctor's orders to have a drink to relieve anxiety! I can't imagine how a doctor could justify not presecribing a benzo but would not hesitate to tell someone to drink alcohol, another potentially addictive substance. There would be no logic in doing this in my mind. I would think that prescribing hash or pot would carry less risk for physical addiction.
>
> I self-medicated with alcohol for years (although never at work), and, although it can be quite effective at relieving anxiety at times, it is a double-edged sword that causes other problems.
>
> Tamara
>
> > Alcohol p.r.n. (when required)
> >
> > When, if ever, might it be appropriate for a psychiatrist to suggest the 'as required' use of alcohol to relieve anxiety?
> >
> > .... For exacerbations of social anxiety in particular a *small* amount of alcohol prn might at times be more beneficial than a dose of Xanax!
> >
> > What do you think!?
> >
> > Ed.
>
>
poster:KikiCabell
thread:432774
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041217/msgs/432812.html