Posted by yxibow on January 16, 2009, at 19:53:07
In reply to Re: Effexor Addict, posted by homemommy on January 16, 2009, at 16:43:42
> > Being an addict is a state of mind. It is being obsessed with some goal that doesn't lead to contentment. It doesn't matter what chemical is entering your body.
> >
> > -d/r
>
> Ummm I am not sure where you get this info you said above but it is an addiction. I cannot stop it tomorrow without have major withdrawls for over a month. I would consider that an addiction. I am so glad it works for me but my fear is if I ever do get off of it that I won't be able to and the long term effects since there is not a study.Addiction in my view is started foremostly with the use of unnecessary substances, often obtained illegally. Yes, addiction can occur concurrently or as a result of habituation, but Effexor is not a controlled substance and not known for "addictive properties".
Other substances with far more punch have been abused by people, such as Provigil, benzodiazepines, outside of their medical guise.
Continuing to self-hound about being an addict in this situation I really find to be a disservice to yourself and your psyche.
Withdrawals can be for some people very incredible with SNRIs. That doesn't make it an addiction, and if the drug worked for you in the first place, its really a choice, do you want to remain functional and able to keep your own independence and self-worth in society, or do you want to risk the problems of facing an illness unguarded and untreated ?
Its true, there are no long term studies of a number of SSRIs and SNRIs although there are definitely millions of patient-years of information, but I think the slippery slope can go all the way to the mercury fervor that has been described on the board. Do you want to continue to have decay and possible dentures on complex bridges and root canals making it impossible to eat solid or hard food, or do you want to risk the possible minor amount of mercury that theoretically could enter your system?
I wish you the best of your choices.
-- best wishes
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:872605
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/874409.html