Posted by Cam W. on August 9, 2000, at 6:55:13
In reply to Re: long-term benzo use tolerance, posted by stjames on August 9, 2000, at 1:59:35
> > Thanks for your help Cam and St James. It's time this
> urban legend of benzo tolerance was squashed.
>
Fred - I agree with James. Benzodiazepines are not risk-free. They can cause problems over the longterm, especially when withdrawing from them (over time you build up more liver enzymes to metabolize the greater amount of benzodiazepine you are metabolizing. You have to decrease these levels slowly by tapering of the drug over 2 to 4 weeks.If you are using a benzo to take the edge off of anxiety, without increasing the dose too much over time, you will probably have no problems. If you are using the benzo to escape or to get a recreational high, you are probably going to run into troubles with addiction.
The media has overplayed the problems with benzodiazepines, but there is still risks involved with their use.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:42304
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42410.html