Posted by katekite on May 7, 2002, at 7:26:56
In reply to Re: Ambien and other chimera » Elizabeth, posted by Iago Camboa on May 7, 2002, at 6:52:03
Hi Iago,
I'm wondering if the american idea that benzos are addictive is more of a semantics thing. People do surely become tolerant of a dose of benzo if it is taken every day and will have withdrawal symptoms like rebound insomnia or jitters that are worse than the initial reason for taking the benzo. So I believe that one truly does becomes tolerant. I'm thinking this is what is meant by 'dependence' and 'addiction' simply because one must use it just ensure the status quo after a certain period of acclimation. In a way, this is addiction because lack of it causes withdrawal.
But the same could be said of effexor or paxil, even to a greater degree.
What I would differ with is the idea that they are addictive in terms of being commonly abused.... I'm sure a few people probably do get truly addicted to benzos but far more are addicted to alcohol and it seems the percentage who are sensitive to developing alcohol or nicotine addiction is greater.
What seems so odd that alcohol and cigarrettes have virtually no legal control while benzos have so much, in the US.
Anyhow, do you agree? 'Addictive substances' seem to include a lot of different things in the US.
kate
poster:katekite
thread:104454
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105412.html