g_dan1
Bluelighter
- Joined
- May 24, 2015
- Messages
- 277
Hi everyone.
I've been thinking about this for a while. Millions of people use alcohol recreationally throughout their lives without addiction or withdrawals. I am aware that alcohol(unlike benzos) is toxic to your body and very damaging if abused. I also know that it affects several parts of the brain, while benzos are selective to GABA A. I often see benzo withdrawals get compared to alcohol WD because of similarity in symptoms. (both affecting GABA A)
I've been living with a relative who's been an alcoholic for the last 7-8 years. He's in his 50s and very athletic. I'm not sure how much exactly he drank a day, but I'd estimate around 7-10 units a day. I've never seen him physically impaired(slurring, stumbling, passing out, throwing up), but heavy drinking always brings out his extremely short temper, anger, very irrational thinking and decision making. Hes also been driving intoxicated and never got in any accidents.
For the past year or so he's been trying to quit due to fatty liver and growing risk of cirrhosis. Whenever he went sober for a few weeks, I didn't notice any major discomfort for him. The worst symptom for him was insomnia that lasted for about 2 weeks and probably anxiety (that he kept to himself). I was very surprised to see him stop drinking without any major symptoms. He was able to go about his daily life and continue his vigorous exercise and other physical activities. Mentally he would become much healthier and less disturbing to the family. Irrational anger subsided and he seemed much calmer. Unfortunately, he relapsed multiple times and still hasn't quit.
I personally dislike alcohol, and seeing my family member ruin his life and traumatize the family turned me away from it even more. However, I've been using benzos occasionally as a tool for the past year (mostly for stim comedowns). Whenever I take benzos more than 3 times a week (low-moderate doses) I can't help but worry about dependence, tolerance, or any rebound anxiety.
This brings me to the question, can benzos be used responsibly on certain occasions just like alcohol? For example, instead of going out to a bar on weekends, can I just take a benzo in a similar fashion? Would this be safe in terms of not developing dependence, tolerance, or rebound anxiety?
Some additional questions:
1) Does benzo dependence/withdrawals develop much faster than with alcohol?
2) Do benzos lead to more rebound anxiety from OCCASIONAL use than alcohol?
3) Why do people (like my family member) get away with daily drinking much easier than those using benzos daily?
Benzos I use: Xanax, etizolam
TL; DR: A family member was able to quit daily drinking without any significant symptoms besides insomnia, which made me wonder about the onset of alcohol dependance vs benzo dependence.
Can short acting benzos be used in a similar fashion to occasional alcohol use? Example: instead of drinking with your friends on the weekend, you take 1-2mg xanax.
Do dependence and tolerance develop much faster with benzo use than with alcohol? If yes, whats the explanation behind this?
P.S. I'm sorry for the long post. I'm currently on adderall and had a strong urge to write this post haha
I've been thinking about this for a while. Millions of people use alcohol recreationally throughout their lives without addiction or withdrawals. I am aware that alcohol(unlike benzos) is toxic to your body and very damaging if abused. I also know that it affects several parts of the brain, while benzos are selective to GABA A. I often see benzo withdrawals get compared to alcohol WD because of similarity in symptoms. (both affecting GABA A)
I've been living with a relative who's been an alcoholic for the last 7-8 years. He's in his 50s and very athletic. I'm not sure how much exactly he drank a day, but I'd estimate around 7-10 units a day. I've never seen him physically impaired(slurring, stumbling, passing out, throwing up), but heavy drinking always brings out his extremely short temper, anger, very irrational thinking and decision making. Hes also been driving intoxicated and never got in any accidents.
For the past year or so he's been trying to quit due to fatty liver and growing risk of cirrhosis. Whenever he went sober for a few weeks, I didn't notice any major discomfort for him. The worst symptom for him was insomnia that lasted for about 2 weeks and probably anxiety (that he kept to himself). I was very surprised to see him stop drinking without any major symptoms. He was able to go about his daily life and continue his vigorous exercise and other physical activities. Mentally he would become much healthier and less disturbing to the family. Irrational anger subsided and he seemed much calmer. Unfortunately, he relapsed multiple times and still hasn't quit.
I personally dislike alcohol, and seeing my family member ruin his life and traumatize the family turned me away from it even more. However, I've been using benzos occasionally as a tool for the past year (mostly for stim comedowns). Whenever I take benzos more than 3 times a week (low-moderate doses) I can't help but worry about dependence, tolerance, or any rebound anxiety.
This brings me to the question, can benzos be used responsibly on certain occasions just like alcohol? For example, instead of going out to a bar on weekends, can I just take a benzo in a similar fashion? Would this be safe in terms of not developing dependence, tolerance, or rebound anxiety?
Some additional questions:
1) Does benzo dependence/withdrawals develop much faster than with alcohol?
2) Do benzos lead to more rebound anxiety from OCCASIONAL use than alcohol?
3) Why do people (like my family member) get away with daily drinking much easier than those using benzos daily?
Benzos I use: Xanax, etizolam
TL; DR: A family member was able to quit daily drinking without any significant symptoms besides insomnia, which made me wonder about the onset of alcohol dependance vs benzo dependence.
Can short acting benzos be used in a similar fashion to occasional alcohol use? Example: instead of drinking with your friends on the weekend, you take 1-2mg xanax.
Do dependence and tolerance develop much faster with benzo use than with alcohol? If yes, whats the explanation behind this?
P.S. I'm sorry for the long post. I'm currently on adderall and had a strong urge to write this post haha