Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 0:48:44
In reply to Benzos Ruin Sleep in the Long Run?, posted by fachad on March 17, 2002, at 1:19:38
Since Ambien is too expensive, you might want to try Ativan which is available is generic. Ativan is long acting (i think about 8 hours) & so you should be able to stay asleep all night. It is also the strongest Benzos except for Klonopin.
I take Klonopin, but it isn't a very good sleeping pill since it takes 60 mins just to start working & lasts too long (12 hrs) which would give you a hangover.
Ativan is much faster acting, & probably makes a good sleeping pill in adequate doses, but i've heard that it won't "knock you out" like Ambien which is considered the best sleeping pill out there.
Benzo addiction is very controversial. I think the problem is that Valium (in the 1960s & 70s) & now Xanax for whatever reason seem to be abused much more frequently than any of the other benzos. (Personally I think Xanax should be rescheduled because the bad press generated from its abuse rubs off on more effective anti-anxiety benzos like Klonopin & Ativan). But benzos don't cause euphoria unless combined with alcohol, & drug treatment centers rarely see people who are seeking help for solely a benzo addiction. People that abuse benzos are usually poly drug abusers that will abuse anything they can get their hands on. One study I read said that among drug abusers Qualudes, barbituates, & even alcohol are sought out & much more highly prized than benzos.
I have been able to stop high-dose Klonopin 4 mg/day cold turkey & haven't had any addiction problems with it, even though in the past I have abused adderall, ritalin, dexedrine, cocaine, soma, & alcohol. Klonopin is one of the only drugs I haven't abused! If you take more than you are supposed to, you just feel drowsy, & really you just feel like crap! I don't see why anyone would want to abuse benzos-there is no euphoria which is the foundation all drugs of abuse share. Considering you never abused your narcotic pain meds or stimulants, your chances of becoming hooked on or abusing benzos is about nil.
If my doctor gave me a prescription for a narcotic pain med I would probably barely be able to contain my 'glee happy feeling' & I would smile all the way home from the pharmacy! (I got this feeling every time I filled a prescription for Ritalin or Dexedrine- but eventually I figured out that meds, especially ADD meds, work much better & last longer if you swallow them rather than snort them & don't abuse them- which skyrockets tolerance at amazing rates- Now I just stick to once per morning long acting stimulants).
poster:3 Beer Effect
thread:98391
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98734.html