Dont you think benzodiazepines – Valium , Ativan , Klonopin , Xanax should not be blamed?

Question by Sweet Pinki: Dont you think benzodiazepines – Valium , Ativan , Klonopin , Xanax should not be blamed?
as much we blame them ? No doubt they are addiction prone and habituating. But we find many people taking it for years without addiction. I am not at all trying to justify its usage , but see virtually nil side efforts ? Many successful executives and even doctors are taking them without compromising their day to day life or cognitive dulling. As against SSRI may not be habituating but have huge side effects and we are making zombies by long term treatment with SSRI. What is the view of specialists and users ?
Where answer given by J has disappeared ?
Let me clarify , I know some cases who are taking valium as and when required for many years with a successful career and no other side effects. Same about Ativan and Klonopin.
Interesting answer by deep thinker. Those who genuinly need benzodiazepines for a true anxiety are given SSRI with huge side effect and they have to also depend on beta blockers , muscle spasm relaxtants in addition to SSRI. Benzos are themself muscle spasm relaxtants and your need not always take beta blockers if you take benzos.

Best answer:

Answer by ~Stormy~
Oh I’m SO glad you asked this!!!! I love this topic.

Last week I was answering a question and mentioned that I had gained 15 pounds in one month on Xanax…well another user basically shot me/my post down by saying that “I must be talking about a different drug b/c NOBODY is on Benzos longer than 2 weeks…so my Doctor must be a QUACK”!!!!!! LOL

I’m like you have got to be kidding me?! LOL My entire family could have been MURDERED…maybe I was recently the victim of a violent crime….maybe my 16 yr old kid just died….like how does anybody ELSE know me/my situation/what drug I should be on and for how long???!!!! LOL

I have studied Benzos up AND down…and they are SAFE compared to any other Mental Health Drug,in fact…safER than many.The only danger is the ADDICTION and the COMING OFF,the taper-down properly in other words.

But as far as the drug in and of ITSELF….it is safe …and more importantly…it is THE best treatment for SEVERE panic and anxiety.

And if I had to choose between a Benzo every single day(if that’s what it took)….or,living in constant fear….I’ll take the Benzo.People take PLENTY of drugs EVERY DAY/FOR LIFE….heart pills,asthma meds,blood thinners…you name it.

There’s NO difference IMO:-)

YA JUNKIE: You are right,and I’ve studied those effects you speak of(in the same way I’ve studied the effects from ALL mental health drugs,all dangerous in some way!).
But consider this….when you have CERTAIN cases,it often boils down to this……

Do I take the Benzo(along w/the risks)…..OR…..Do I drop dead from a heart attack at 30 yrs old b/c of the SEVERE effects of panic/anxiety on the body?????

Once you study the effects of stress/panic/ect…and how HUGE a toll it takes on your health/body/ect….well,you have to choose the lesser of two evils….each of us must decide for ourselves:-)

Sorry J…I meant to thumbs-up you…but i hit the thumb-down:-(

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