Posted by SLS on March 17, 2005, at 21:24:30
In reply to Re: Going Off Klonopin, posted by offsleepmeds on February 28, 2005, at 20:30:36
> Klonopin is simply very addictive,
Physiological dependance or the development of tolerance to a drug isn't the same thing as addiction to that drug. Addiction involves having cravings, compulsions, or a psychological need for intoxication. For the addict, they simply find it difficult to discontinue their substance abuse, even in the absence of withdrawal side effects. I believe Klonopin is one of the benzodiazepines least likely for one to become addicted to.
> with a lot of doctors substituting drugs in the same family with much shorter half lifes for Klonopin as they taper down doses.
I am not familiar with this strategy. Perhaps it is effective towards the end of the taper period. I really don't know. Some doctors do just the opposite. For example, someone on Xanax will cross-over to Klonopin and taper from there.
I want to reiterate that addiction and physiological independance are two different things, even though both usually occur concomitantly. Many dictionaries still confuse the two.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:464665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050228/msgs/472285.html