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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chris Turner on October 18, 2011, at 16:18:39
The World Health Organization believes that Ambien is similar to benzodiazepine drugs in rate of abuse and addiction. Benzodiazepine-related emergency room visits increased 41 percent between 1995 and 2002, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in part because of easy availability. Users may also believe that use of prescription drugs is safer than use of street drugs, but misuse of prescription medications like Ambien can be very dangerous.
Citing the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that approximately 52 million Americans aged 12 or older reported non-medical use of a psychotherapeutic at some point in their lifetime. That is 20.8% of the population aged 12 and older.
The good news is that awareness of the many risks and dangers that come with Ambien abuse are also on the rise. There is a growing movement of people who are acting on that knowledge, bringing their addiction into the light and getting the help they need. More people are getting help for <a href="http://www.ambien-addiction-treatment.com">Ambien abuse</a>, because they have found that drug abuse doesnt solve problems, it only causes them.
Posted by linkadge on October 18, 2011, at 20:09:58
In reply to Ambien Abuse, posted by Chris Turner on October 18, 2011, at 16:18:39
There is a difference between ambien use and abuse.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:22:46
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by linkadge on October 18, 2011, at 20:09:58
Yes this one I've not taken. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2011, at 21:38:06
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:22:46
I'm not big into this drug-abuse awareness thing. If I remember correctly, when Ambien first came out, doctors were prescribing it like mad b/c it wasn't a benzo and because it was being pushed heavily. Now its been on the market for a while, and the Nanny State wants to ruin the fun for everybody--legal and illegal users alike.
Its crazy. And the more we let the powers that be decide which drugs are "ok" and which are "bad," the fewer treatments we'll have. Soon, we'll all be labeled addicts just because of certain medications we take.
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 23:32:28
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2011, at 21:38:06
Including insulin, blood pressure pills, cholesterol meds, heart meds, and of course even antidepressants. How you doing? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2011, at 23:38:26
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 23:32:28
I'm doing good, thanks. I need to get out of the house and actually *do* stuff, but I don't know what to do, you know? Also looking into finishing up a degree sooner rather than later.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 19, 2011, at 19:05:44
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2011, at 23:38:26
All sedatives that work through the GABA mechanism are subject to absue, barbiturates, benzos, paralderhyde, carbromal, Mandrax, Doriden..... the abuse potential varies, and Ambien is at the lower end of the spectrum...... its a matter of doctors prescribing responsibly, ensuring access for those who need the drugs and use them sensible, and withholding from those who seem likely to abuse them (they can get a nin abuseable sedative like doxepin)
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 24, 2011, at 21:46:08
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2011, at 21:38:06
> Its crazy. And the more we let the powers that be decide which drugs are "ok" and which are "bad," the fewer treatments we'll have. Soon, we'll all be labeled addicts just because of certain medications we take.Yes, that's basically how it goes. Anytime anyone expresses a desire to take a drug repeatedly, they risk being stigmatized as an "addict". It is utter madness.
The effect of this is that many drugs which any rational person would want to take are hard to get. In the end, it's all about economics--artificial scarcity drives the price up. But I digress ...
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 5:59:19
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse » Christ_empowered, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 24, 2011, at 21:46:08
Sorry chairman, that doesnt wash, I have been taking Advil and Centrum regularly since I was 18, and have never been stigmatised.
Its only drugs that have an abuse potential that attract stigma - its just a shame that people who use the drugs sensibly get stigmatised
Posted by sigismund on October 30, 2011, at 3:45:55
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 5:59:19
So any drug that is halfway decent will be almost impossible to get.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 30, 2011, at 18:38:16
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by sigismund on October 30, 2011, at 3:45:55
I guess the climate here in Australia is a little different, but i have no trouble getting Xanax 1mg tds from my psychiatrist 9though my GP is nervous about it) and the moderate painkillers like APAP/codeine and tramadol are commonly prescribed.
Doctors are pretty tight with the high potency narcotics if you need them for more than a few days, but even for them there are pain xlinics that will prescribe them.
You would be hard pressed to find a doctor in Austrzalias who would use amphetamines or narcotics for depression or neurosis though
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 31, 2011, at 21:46:46
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 29, 2011, at 5:59:19
> Sorry chairman, that doesnt wash, I have been taking Advil and Centrum regularly since I was 18, and have never been stigmatised.
>
> Its only drugs that have an abuse potential that attract stigma - its just a shame that people who use the drugs sensibly get stigmatised"Abuse potential" means "drug someone wants to take in a manner not consistent with medical authorities". By this logic, masturbation is self-abuse. After all, you're not using it as intended, right?!?!?!?! It's ludicrous.
Just about every psychoactive drug has been abused, and people have been stigmatized in some way or another for taking just about every psychoactive drug at one time or another. There is a huge disconnect between the stigma certain drugs have and the reality of the deleterious consequences of their use. Hint: they picked the right one for prohibition in the USA the first time around. However, prohibition doesn't work, as we found out. Somehow we refuse to learn the lesson.
Posted by sigismund on November 2, 2011, at 6:27:31
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 30, 2011, at 18:38:16
My psych just says we live now under a Methodist dispensation, so what relief I get comes from such observations rather than meds.
Posted by sigismund on November 2, 2011, at 6:31:59
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Chairman_MAO on October 31, 2011, at 21:46:46
No, I don't think I agree. Petrol and Seroquel are abused but they won't ever be banned. Anything leading to a halfway good feeling will be.
Actually, petrol here has been replaced in some areas. It's not an administrative response that impresses by its generosity.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on November 15, 2011, at 6:49:25
In reply to Re: Ambien Abuse, posted by sigismund on November 2, 2011, at 6:31:59
> No, I don't think I agree. Petrol and Seroquel are abused but they won't ever be banned. Anything leading to a halfway good feeling will be.
>Well, people will abuse just about anything. Seroquel abuse alone shows that it is not just about an endorphin or dopamine "fix". You are of course correct with your assessment.
This is the end of the thread.
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