Posted by Alan on March 9, 2002, at 12:37:22
In reply to Thanks Alan, Elizabeth???, posted by paulb on March 9, 2002, at 10:33:58
>"...I would have to agree to disagree that the >AD effect is mild. I have often heard reports of >euphoria with these two benzodiazepines, making >them popular drugs of abuse, as opposed to other >benzodiazepines...."
> paulb
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I think that there needs to be a very important point noted here when talking about BZD's in general - and the two that you mention in particular.For those seeking a high on anything - let alone a BZD - who experience a euphoria (as opposed to simple releif of symptoms) on either of these meds would seem to be ones with a contraindication for use of these drugs as a choice of treatment because of the potentiation of abuse. I'm not sure how many with legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorders actually experience these effects. My understanding is that it is very rare, not predominant....that the risk is very far from unacceptably high.
And I'm not sure that one's predisposition to feel such a high is limited to BZD's, mistakenly viewing the BZD exclusively as the problem - rather than viewing the individual's reaction to them as the source for potential abuse.
It would be interesting to know if the 2 BZD's are shown chemically in some way for those predisposed to abuse or feeling a high to gravitate towards them instead let's say ativan or valium. I know of no studies or chemical rationale to provide evidence of such, only anecdotal evidence...but perhaps elizabeth knows of some.
Of course the use amongst poly-drug abusers that use the BZD's to get from one high to another or to potentiate a "higher" high from the primary drug of abuse such as alcohol or narcotics is well known. They are not a first choice as a drug of abuse except for those that have a predisposition for it...and from all accounts, a chronic anxiety suffer is at near the bottom of that list in that regard.
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:97091
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97203.html