Date: Wed Aug 28, 2002 4:17 pm

Subject: addiction/physical dependence

Hi! I’m sorry to bring this up again, but I stumbled across a very informative article by Dr. Ray Baker. He explains the difference between drug addiction and dependence. I think it clears up confusion about the 2. They are not the same only 10% of people on benzos are "drug addicts".

The article states..... "It is important not to confuse physiological dependence as encountered in benzo withdrawal syndrome with addiction or drug dependence. The majority of people suffereing prolonged withdrawal syndrome from benzos does not meet sufficient criteria to make the diagnosis of addiction. They are NOT addicts. Addiction is a bio-psychosocial syndrome. Less than 10% of the population is at risk. Although there are 8 diagnostic criteria, 3 of which must be present for a year the syndrome can be best described as the 3 C's........

1--Control--- when the addicted person starts using there drug the episodically lose control over their ingestion

2--Compulsion-- getting and using the drug takes on more and more importance and salience in the persons life, crowding out relationships and activities that were once very important to them

3--Consequences-- They continue using the drug causing problems at home, relationships, medical problems, legal problems, emotional and psychiatric problems and finally vocational problems.

Physical dependence is simply a neurobiological phenomenon due to continued exposure to a drug. It happens to ALL human brains exposed to drugs such as benzos and opiates. It is NOT addiction. I’m writing this because I think it’s very important. Many of us have been blamed and we are made to feel ashamed and embarrassed. Some of us are living with a lot of guilt. I just wanted to clear that up.

Antoinette