Posted by Alice on December 25, 1999, at 17:58:28
In reply to Re: Are Benzodiazepines Like Alcohol?, posted by paul on December 25, 1999, at 0:50:37
Marc,
I have taken Klonopin, a benzo, in the past (actually, I am thinking that I would like to go back on it), and I do believe that they act similarly to alcohol.
I suffer from anxiety and social phobia. Believe me, I know how you feel about how alcohol can make you feel happy and social, as if you don't suffer from this disorder at all. Before I was diagnosed with social phobia, or even knew that my problems had a name, I would drink prior to being with friends or social situations. I felt it was the only way to feel "normal" and be social without anxiety, panic attacks, and pain.
However, alcohol has a whole host of other side effects which are negative. It easily leads to abuse and dependence (benzos can too, but not as easily if they are given under a doctors care and control, and the patient is monitored carefully.) Alcohol can completely change a person's personality (usually for the worse) even if it does alleviate them of their social anxiety. Benzos will typically just alliviate the anxiety and allow the person's true personality to come shining through.
This is what I have found to be true...benzos can be a valuable tool for this problem, while alchol is never a solution to anything.
Best of luck,
Alice
poster:Alice
thread:17465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991212/msgs/17488.html