Posted by yxibow on March 31, 2006, at 15:33:39
In reply to Re: Is Valium more potent than Xanax?, posted by greywolf on March 31, 2006, at 15:00:50
> I think you have to distinguish between "addiction" and "habituation." It is my understanding that addiction rates between Valium and Xanax are relatively similar, but that Xanax is more habituating.
>
>(all caps are substituted for bold, not yelling)
And we come to the addiction and habituation argument threads... I've beat various dead horses and unicorns despite being a pacifist over things... lets see.. wildebeest this time. Benzodiazepines have more potential for HABITUATION than addiction (some, when properly prescribed, and in the right hands).
I'm actually rather surprised that the Dr would prescribe a medication (Xanax) that has to be taken up to to 4 times a day (it has in some people a half life as little as 4-6 hours), and has street abuse potential (that is ADDICTION -- the use and escalation of dose of drugs for no medical purposes, in my dictionary.) Valium has low street abuse potential, with its 3 metabolites has a half life exceeding 24 hours although it can be dosed more than once a day if desired. But if your doctor is convinced that way, then that's how you should follow it unless you want a second opinion. I just find it odd, personally.
And potent is subjective -- to me, Xanax is more potent than either Ativan, Valium, or Klonopin (in descending order)... that is, time from the pill entering your system to efficacy and also it has a sense of immediacy -- a slight "rush" at times.
My 2c
Cheers- J
poster:yxibow
thread:627071
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060329/msgs/627155.html