Posted by Viridis on February 20, 2004, at 22:33:06
In reply to Re: Why pdocs prefer SSRI's to benzo's? » Margit, posted by PsychoSage on February 20, 2004, at 11:00:12
I don't find benzos anything like alcohol. A therapeutic dose works well for anxiety; any more makes me sleepy. Some have more immediate effects than others; Xanax has rapid effects and a short half-life, so not surprisingly, it's associated with the most frequent discontinuation (and abuse) problems. But these are still limited to a small proportion of users. I take it as-needed (like aspirin etc.) and haven't noticed any desire to take it more often (similarly, aspirin is useful but I certainly don't crave it).
Klonopin has a long half-life and for many people (like me) has no noticeable effect other than reduced anxiety. I have no incentive to take any more than what works, and most users seem to respond the same way.
I don't deny that benzos can be problematic for some people, and discontinuation after regular use requires gradual tapering. But discontinuation problems are common (and reported more often) for many widely-prescribed antidepressants than for most benzos.
Paxil and Effexor top the list of most-difficult-to-quit medications in all categories. That doesn't make them bad -- it just means that like benzos and so many other meds, your system gets used to having them and needs time to readjust if they're withdrawn.
Labelling benzos as "booze in a pill" is highly inaccurate and insulting to people with serious anxiety disorders. I've experienced much worse cognitive dulling, disorientation, and other side effects from various SSRIs etc. than from benzos, even after long-term use. The bottom line is that different meds are appropriate for different people, and many drugs that are very effective induce medical dependency -- which is not the same thing as "addiction"..
poster:Viridis
thread:314138
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040218/msgs/316265.html