Posted by Squiggles on February 6, 2007, at 9:22:27
In reply to Re: Just a question, posted by bassman on February 6, 2007, at 8:39:38
bassman,
I have seen many debates on the meaning
of addiction versus dependence, and I have
participated in far too many of them. In the
heads and hands of medics who have not been
educated in linguistics or philosophy, the
debate is a lost cause. I will leave it at
that.Later today, I will be happy to search your
story and Quintal's about your benzo experiences.I agree with you, that benzos are particularly
helpful in agitating ADs, for example PROZAC and
others where a side effect is a motor or neural
excitability, like akathisia, or insomnia.One thing i did not mention which is probably very important for benzo tolerance is how *often* the drug is prescribed-- i.e. on a daily basis or on occasions of panic or crisis. I think you are more likely to become dependent on a daily prescription. But as one my friends said, there are worse things than becoming dependent on a drug which is better than not being on that drug.
Yes, there are worse things-- coming off abruptly or without the aid of another drug. :-)So, here are the things that should be watched out for from person to person:
TYPE OF DRUG (length of half-life, anxiolytic and/or anti-convulsant strength)
INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS or ALCOHOL or other
BENZOS (benzos and some ADs can make you very lethargic, and each can potentiate the other)DOSE (can calm you or put you to sleep or be lethal or create cognitive problems)
DURATION (how long you have been taking it influences its efficacy and withdrawal potential)
WITHDRAWAL (requires knowledge of the drug and monitoring of the patient, and assessment of whether it is necessary to get off the drug; if the withdrawal leaves you with protracted symptoms it may be better to stay on indefinitely; also the process of withdrawal may be aided by another long-life drug to prevent things like seizures or other permanent disabilities.)
AGE (older people metabolize all drugs at a different rate and the same dose may be stronger for them)
INTER-DOSE WITHDRAWAL ( that is not in the books); it's an experience i gave a name to, when my need for a Xanax accelerated with time. From the minimal "as needed" dose, i started to get severe anxiety and panic unless I took more and more.
The relief became shorter and shorter within each dose, so the amount escalated -- you get the picture.There are many articles on other issues, e.g.
fractures in the elderly, etc., many physical side-effects during and after stopping-- but I am just posting what I think is really important.I think that we have to keep in mind people who live in dreadful circumstances, of domestic abuse, war-torn environments, deaths or crises in families, loss of home or job, terminal illnesses, etc. where any sedative is common sense. But at the same time, it is good to be educated about the effects of benzos, and not pretend that they are not addicting. Heck, I'm pro-heroin for depression and anxiety, if only it were legal.
Squiggles
poster:Squiggles
thread:729587
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070201/msgs/730307.html