Quote:
Originally Posted by waves
Benzo's are considered addictive as people do end up with psychological dependence (with or without abuse)
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Psychological dependence"? LOL!
What was that about opening an unnecessary cans of worms?
I know what you meant—it's a bonafide term—but with so much confusion regarding addiction vs. dependence (perpetuated/proliferated by sensationalizing and/or just plain confused/ignorant media & "authorities/experts") to begin with, I'm concerned that that term may be counterintuitive. I also think that in the average person's mind (due largely to the above), addiction
implies abuse. YMMV.
Quote:
In the APA Dictionary of Psychology, psychological dependence is defined as "dependence on a psychoactive substance for the reinforcement it provides." Most times psychological dependence is classified under addiction. They are similar in that addiction is a physiological "craving" for something and psychological dependence is a "need" for a particular substance because it causes enjoyable mental affects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_dependence
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I really don't know if these subtleties clarify or obfuscate for the average person.
Would it suffice to say that benzos are considered to have an abuse/addiction potential?
Quote:
Originally Posted by waves
Fwiw, your dependence on gabapentin is not necessarily predictive of a predisposition to dependence on a benzo
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Well said, and thanks for the technical explanation.
Doc