Posted by Glydin on December 16, 2004, at 6:20:38
In reply to Really a chemical imbalance or Klonopin addiction?, posted by BRC on December 15, 2004, at 19:14:31
Probably the only way to answer that question is to try and discontinue with a SLOW, SLOW, SLOW taper.
I believe you are probably physically dependent as most of us who use K routinely are. Thus, your symptoms when you miss a dose and their disappearence when your dose is taken. This "medical dependence" is not the same as addiction. Addiction has four characterictics:
1) PsychoSocial disruption - example, "craving"
2) Inapproiate use - example, "to get high"
3) Tolerence - example, not reaching a maintance dose and requiring more and more for the same effect
4) Drug seeking behavior - example, doctor shopping for RX's, "losing RX's" and asking for replacements when one really has not lost RX.Physical dependence is not uncommon. Psychological dependence is not uncommon either. I don't consider either finding necessarily "bad", and I'm fine with my medical dependence - I've discontunued twice and I'm just better on K, but that comfort varies from person to person.... and if a person mets the criteria for addiction - I feel supervised discontinuing must occur.
I do understand if medical dependence bothers you or you are not comfortable with that. Again, a very slow, slow, slow taper for discontinuing might answer the question you pose. Talk with your doc about your concerns.
poster:Glydin
thread:430058
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041211/msgs/430177.html