Posted by Glydin on September 12, 2004, at 21:18:20
In reply to Ativan Tolerance, posted by AnxiousAndy on September 12, 2004, at 19:23:42
I cannot speak to the use of Ativan. I can speak to the use of long term Klonopin. I have done well and it changed my life for the better.
The word addiction is often misused and misunderstood. Addiction has characteristics: Psycho Social disruption, Tolerance not to maint. dosing, Drug seeking behavior, and Inapprioate use.
There are concerns with any benzo but I will forever fail to understand why the approiate use of benzos for anxiety disorders is so stigmatized. It is well documented evidence that, for a number of individuals, benzos are effective, safe, and really do TREAT the underlying problem with brain chemistry - we tend not to stigmatize (as easily) other classes of meds that alter brain chemistry to the better.
The fact that those of us who use benzos do question our approiate use is a credit to their proper use. I know I'm physically dependent and it really a non-issue for me.
From what I understand, tolerance develops pretty quickly. I've maintained a dose range - quite low, BTW, for 3 years. We are all indivduals, and we all deserve a decent quality of life. There are different paths and treatments to achieve that. Living with toxic anxiety isn't the way I define "quality life" for me.
Hope you find you path and find peace with that path.
poster:Glydin
thread:390082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040909/msgs/390132.html