Posted by Quintal on November 27, 2006, at 23:28:05
In reply to Re: Difference between Ativan and Valium? » Quintal, posted by ace on November 27, 2006, at 21:09:43
> >Also addiction (within the context of dependence) denotes that the user needs higher and higher doses to sustain efficacy
>
> Is that not tolerance?>See above.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
TOLERANCE
SYLLABICATION: tol·er·ance
PRONUNCIATION: tlr-ns
NOUN: The capacity to absorb a drug continuously or in large doses without adverse effect; diminution in the response to a drug after prolonged use. <Hence requiring a progressive *increase* in dose.>--------------------------------------------------
>> >The term 'dependence denotes compulsive or chronic need
>
> Isn't that addiction?>Not by the medical dictionary I have. But, there always seems to be some semantic confusion with these two terms.
--------------------------------------------------The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
ADDICTION
SYLLABICATION: ad·dic·tion
PRONUNCIATION: -dkshn
NOUN: 1a. Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction. b. An instance of this: a person with multiple chemical addictions. 2a. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
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Yes, it seems there is a semantic overlap between addiction and dependence putting it loosely, in the sense that dependence is a chronic need for the substance and addiction is the compulsive desire. It's hard to tease out addiction from tolerance, since there is often a craving for a stronger 'hit', but that may not reflect changes in physical tolerance to the drug, rather a mental desire for a stronger effect. Tolerance being changes in the amount needed to produce the same effect.>But I do think benzo's are wonderful agents and should be issued more. Maybe one day I will see certain phenomena with regards to benzo's that steers my mind, but for the moment, I am definitely a strong advocate of the drugs.
Agreed!!!
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:707968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/708083.html