Posted by jazzdog on November 28, 2001, at 10:43:08
In reply to Re: Am I copping out by asking for a Benzo? » jazzdog, posted by Alan on November 28, 2001, at 9:23:21
Some addiction research indicates that heavy drinking turns into alcoholism when a 'chemical switch' is triggered. After that point, the brain becomes so sensitized to alcohol that any exposure inevitably triggers a desire for more. It's a theory that certainly fits with my experience. Unfortunately, benzos have enough chemical similarity to alcohol that they trigger the same set of responses. The pattern goes something like this. An alcoholic tries to stop drinking and is faced with rebound anxiety which is exacerbated by the drying out process. A benzo provides temporary relief, but it also created rebound anxiety when it leaves the body. Now the alcoholic has two substances which the brain craves to stop the anxiety, both of which will work temporarily, then worsen anxiety as they leave the body. It's difficult to describe alcoholism for someone who hasn't suffered from it, but believe me, those cravings are so powerful that they will eventually obliterate everything else in a person's life - relationships, work, everything. I know how hard it is to stop that process in its tracks - a truly heroic struggle. But in my experience benzos prolong that struggle and make it even more wretched and difficult than it has to be.- Jane
poster:jazzdog
thread:85243
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85393.html