Posted by mattw84 on April 9, 2005, at 1:46:48
In reply to Re: Equipotent Benzodiazepines... No such thing..., posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2005, at 23:38:05
I am an MS2 at OHSU, and ALL benzodiazepines fall under class IV (4) DEA Scheduling. As far as addiction is concerned, pro re nata (as needed) is not likely to cause addiction. However, continuous and long time (6+ months in general) administration of any sedative/hypnotic GABA enhancing drugs will result in PHYSICAL addiction as your body continues to produce less GABA naturally. Similarly to the SNRI example -- it's not MDMA, yet still an equally addictive group of drugs. (Effexor, Cymbalta, and the lesser...)
In response to your arguement that alcohol not similar to benzos: you are 100% correct that the two classes are just as different as they are alike. For example, baclofen will almost instantaneously cease intoxication by benzos and barbituates, yet has seemingly no effect alcohol intoxication. The pharmokinetics of ethyl alcohol are not completely understood, similarly nor are benzos or barbituates. It is however commonly acknowledged amongst the medical community that all of the forementioned are very addictive.
My aunt died March 24th, 2005 of alcohol poisoning at the age of 60. Fortunately it is nearly impossible for benzos to prove fatal at even the most extreme doses. So YES, you are correct that alcohol and benzos are completely different animals...
And to Phillipa:
I hoped not to offend anyone with the post -- but as usual that never seems to work, especially when I am of utmost care too... I owe a great debt of gratitude to benzos for enabling me to overcome agoraphobia w/panic attacks -- without which I would not be approaching residency. In my personal opinion, I would be much more confident in making life/death decisions and the like without excess GABA in my system. Though I I have several fellows who are reliant on much more narcotic medications (i.e., opiates...) yet the potential for error is greatly increased by the topic class.
Please don't take that as a discredit to the benefits of benzos for numerous individuals for whom without which life would not be possible. I also have a great faith in psychology, having a B.S. in behavioral psych. I firmly believe that CBT can be just as effective, if not moreso, than medication. Also, exercise is likely the best medicine nature and science have yet to illustrate.
Again -- I am not arguing with anyone's point of view. Simply stating what I am aware of, so please refrain from crude comments in response. I would like to think of this community as a wealth of experience and knowledge, rather than a battleground for those who have differing opinions.
I have two eyes and two ears, yet only one mouth; hopefully I can illustrate the significance of that statement by showing my utmost respect for everyone's opinion on this matter. That or I suspect I will regret ever throwing my $.02 in...
Best Regards,
Matt
poster:mattw84
thread:481519
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/481917.html