Posted by yxibow on November 20, 2007, at 0:37:25
In reply to Re: What is addiction? » seldomseen, posted by linkadge on November 19, 2007, at 20:29:21
> >"drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease >characterized by compulsive drug seeking"
>
> >Not sure if SSRI use meets that characterization.
>
> Well, when a steady supply of a drug is provided by a doctor, one needn't seek it out.
>
> If you, all of a sudden abruptly halted america's supply of SSRI's, it would be interesting to see what people might do to get the next dose.
>
> Also, those who cannot quit paxil or other SSRI's for that matter, are compelled to take them regularly. They therefore do take it compulsivly. Ie, they are compelled to take the drug to avoid withdrawl symptoms.
>
> Getting off of SSRI's can be chronic and relapsing too. It took me like 10 attempts to get off an SSRI before I could quit for longer than a month. And here I am, back at this site, wanting to get back on one.
>
> LinkadgeWell often you don't realize what a biochemical imbalance one has until you go off a SSRI, its a common experience. Some like Paxil are very hard to get off of, Prozac isn't nearly as hard because of its long half life.
You could say all drugs that are palleatives are "addicting" because they make us feel better. Most medications are palleatives, they aren't cures. Maybe the 21st century will see genetic therapy for mental illness if we have a positive climate for research. Only a few drugs are "cures" such as antibiotics and the people who manage to go without relapses with cancer treatments.
poster:yxibow
thread:795879
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071115/msgs/796118.html