Posted by Budgie on October 2, 2003, at 11:28:39
Hi All,
My pdoc finally capitulated and prescribed a sleep med for my Parnate insomnia. He only gave me 15 pills for the next 28 days, though (but with one refill), out of worry that these hypnotics can cause dependency.
My question is this: Do drugs (or some drugs) have a higher rate of dependency/addiction/abuse when used on an as-needed basis versus at a daily, therapeutic dose? It seems more logical to me just to take the Ambien every night, let it do its thing without thinking about it than it is to lie awake wondering...wondering if I should take it. It seems to me that (the latter) has the potential to cause more damage, let alone a more erratic sleep schedule, which is what I'm trying to fix in the first place.
Now we obviously don't take our ADs on an as-needed basis. Matt pointed me towards some evidence a while ago that Klonopin causes less dependency when taken on a normal schedule. Is it logical to apply this to hypnotics, too, or is that a different beast altogether?
Thanks,
Budgie
poster:Budgie
thread:264925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030928/msgs/264925.html