I was replying to a post referencing daily use, your not using them daily. Not the same situation. Regarding the cognitive effects of long term use, it's real and it happens in many cases - science has validated that effect so research it on your own, I am not going argue that point. Science has also substantiated that tolerance grows quickly to them, so I'm not going to address that in detail. Regarding your perception that benzos are villainized, well too many unsuspecting people have had serious if not fatal consequences from taking them. Doctors hand them out like candy and keep patients on them long term, without educating the patient properly, and the results to the patient can be devastating. Again, my post applies to daily use, not occasional users such as yourself. The OP has not yet taken benzos and is inquiring about them. It is perfectly appropriate to inform them of the dangers. The post I responded to that you quoted, was addressing a user that posted potentially misleading information. Most daily benzo users will build a tolerance and will have to eventually increase their dose for the benzo to remain effective, regardless of how "responsible" they are.
Of course, I used to sound like you when I took Xanax as scripted for ten years. I thought Canax was a great life saver that kept me level. It was until I had any length of time off of them to see the memory issues, and the other cognitive effects. I also noticed that during taking Xanax my anxiety was at an all time high level. It had increased hundred-fold from the time I was scripted Xanax to the end of my time on Xanax. Ironically, after being off Xanax my anxiety is back down to the original levels of how it was prior to Xanax.
OP - do your research on any meds that the doctor suggests you take for your social anxiety. Research other forums and look look at scientific data. Make an educated decision that you think you will benefit most from.
I actually was on them daily for 11 years which I shouldn't have been but got off and now just use them a few times a week and it's been 12 years now since I first used it, so I have a LOT of experience here.
May I ask how much longer than that you took them??
Just curious.
Also, Xanax is MUCH more habit forming and prone to side effects in comparison to Klonopin.
I am kind of afraid that suddenly someday I could have those problems, but if after 12 years they haven't occurred I am doubting that they ever will, though I know they could.
I never said the cognitive effects aren't real, but like you said, they are true "in
many cases" not ALL cases, and the rise in tolerance is true in "many" cases, not ALL cases, and this is important to emphasize.
Also, honestly, I'm not sure doctors "hand them out like candy" anymore.
All too often I've seen the opposite, doctors REFUSING to give them to people who need them because of the sort of fear mongering which says "you can't escape horrible side effects if you use them for any length of time" which is not necessarily true.
We all know that tolerance CAN build, and that negative effects CAN happen, but what I"m saying is that after over a decade of use my tolerance never rose and I haven't gotten cognitive side effects so that goes to show that that doesn't NECESSARILY happen.
I agree they should be a last resort, but I don't like trying to scare people away from using something that has helped me so much with having given me such few side effects and I feel that these kinds of warnings can backfire when they reinforce the already rigid opinions of doctors who won't prescribe them even to people who need them.