![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gritslad on May 22, 2009, at 11:14:24
I can go months without needing either ativan or ambien; then, I'll hit a spell where I seem to need one or both daily. I'm just wondering how long I can take these without running into problems.
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2009, at 12:12:33
In reply to How long before I'm addicted?, posted by gritslad on May 22, 2009, at 11:14:24
well 40 years of various doses some very low some high only a small amount of time with none and its just recently that they now make me tired. If not taking steady would think addiction wouldn't be a problem at all. Phillipa
Posted by Zana on May 22, 2009, at 14:46:58
In reply to Re: How long before I'm addicted? » gritslad, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2009, at 12:12:33
I have been told that if I use klonopin 3 nights in a row, I will have trouble sleeping on the 4th night without it. Or that if I skip klonopin for 3 nights, I will have trouble sleeping on the 4th night. I have never tested this and don't know if it's true but they are the only guidelines I have every been given. Don't know if rebound insomnia is the same thing as being addicted. I mean I don't know if you would suffer any kind of withdrawal symptoms if you discontinued the ativan. Sounds like to take it on and off without trouble. I have been told that if you are going to use a benzo with any regularilty it is better to take it on a consistant schedule so that you avoid any ups and downs, eg rebound anxiety. The effects of discontinuing benzos are so varied I think it hard to known what symptoms its withdrawal is causing even at low doses taken intermittently. I take it consistantly, the same dose every day whether I feel like I need it or not. I figure that way I can rule it out as a cause for whatever I am feeling that is any different from the norm.
Zana
Posted by yxibow on May 22, 2009, at 21:50:19
In reply to How long before I'm addicted?, posted by gritslad on May 22, 2009, at 11:14:24
> I can go months without needing either ativan or ambien; then, I'll hit a spell where I seem to need one or both daily. I'm just wondering how long I can take these without running into problems.
It's an individual situation -- I have run into a catch-22 situation where Valium still helps me but no longer has a 'zing', but I have taken at a much higher dose than most.
I think an average dose of benzodiazepines PRN, is the best choice because taking consistently will cause 'habituation'
.... I wouldn't call it addiction, at least in my opinion that's more a situation where you don't need a type of medication but you have unstoppable cravings for it.Admittedly its possible that both can occur at the same time though.
However if one were to take a benzodiazepine long term, I think, and this is only an anecdotal thought, that those with long half lives (e.g. Valium, Klonopin) are a better choice than those with rather short half lives (Xanax, Ativan)....
....as I believe personally one can become habituated faster and they become even more useless (since they have a fast uptake and one would miss the 'zing' even more) over time.
But then again you are saying in your case that you have gone off a benzodiazepine (or pseudobenzodiazepine - Ambien) at times...(I hope you haven't just dropped it cold, that isn't a good idea)....
....so its quite possible that being on for periods and being off for periods would let the GABA transmitters 'heal' in a sense.
-- Jay
Posted by manic666 on May 25, 2009, at 13:22:28
In reply to How long before I'm addicted?, posted by gritslad on May 22, 2009, at 11:14:24
depends on how many you need a day an how long . i woud say 3mg a day for 6 weeks an your looking at being addicted,not to a massive problem , but it is one .you would have to taper at that , no matter what people say. i like you took them when needed , but in a crisis they are the daddy of life saver,s abuse them they are your worst nightmare, i am addicted an still take 4 mg a day , an feel nothing , but if i didnt take them. you would not want to be anywhere near me.you may get other answers but at 30 years ativan or loz i think i have a point
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2009, at 20:20:31
In reply to Re: How long before I'm addicted?, posted by manic666 on May 25, 2009, at 13:22:28
Manic same here tolerance and it keeps us from withdrawal. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.