Is the future of drugs safe and non-addictive?

[Ansel]

:-)



http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/sh...?newsfeed=true

[pris]

Surely the idea of replacing ethanol with valium in drinks would be madness. I mean valium is highly addictive and only ever given out by doctors for very short periods of time in the most extreme circumstances because of this.

[Ansel]

Surely the idea of replacing ethanol with valium in drinks would be madness. I mean valium is highly addictive and only ever given out by doctors for very short periods of time in the most extreme circumstances because of this.

His surname isn't Nutt for no reason! lol

There's some comments on alcohol such as this one if you follow that URL link:

LoopyTunes

11 June 2012 12:41AM

Your publisher was kind enough to send me a review copy of your book for my blog which I hope to have reviewed by the end of the week (haven't received it yet). Shameless plug for the blog: http://www.devl.biz/thedebate/

I have to take issue with your case for "replacing ethanol in "alcoholic" drinks with a safer alternative, such as a benzodiazepine".

It may be safer in terms of social harm (unless combined with alcohol, that's a different story altogether of course), in that they generally sedate people instead of making them violent. But they are extremely addictive when taken regularly over a very short period. Alcohol too, is of course very addictive, but as I understand it physical reliance on it generally takes a little longer than (regular use of) benzodiazepines. Black-outs and undesirable behaviour is exhibited in individuals under the influence of benzo's just as much as under alcohol.

My understanding (sorry for repeating myself by saying "my understanding", it just feels like I'm preaching to the pope about religion when it comes to arguing about drugs with David Nutt) is that it's very easy to become physically and psychologically dependent on benzo's in just a few weeks (especially short acting/short half life benzos such as Xanax, Estazolam and Oxazepam), which is why doctors generally only prescribe short term, low dose prescriptions for benzo's with a long half-life (usually Diazepam).

Also, in your "Rational scale to assess the harm of drugs", you list benzo's as being more physically harmful than alcohol.

So, to cut to the chase, I don't understand why you'd even consider replacing ethanol with a benzo. Replace it with MDMA and Friday/Saturday night's out would be a much more pleasant occasion (for all involved, including those not consuming - especially for people who enjoy hugs).

[lxskllr]

I bet pharmaceutical companies would love to replace natural, and easy hobby made substances, with stuff only they can practically make. I'm sure they have everyone's best interests at heart also.

[SnusoMatic]

Morphine was invented as a cure for opium addiction. Heroin was a replacement for morphine because it was "less" addictive. Dilaudid was developed as a superior chronic pain reliever with less side effects (i know someone who shot $15,000 in their arm in 5 months, very superior.) Methadone used for heroin, dilaudid, etc addiction maintenance is about twice as addictive as heroin. Withdrawal is awful and can take twice as long as withdrawal from the heroin it is used to replace (and with less high).

So sure, bring on the "safe and non-addictive drugs". I can't wait to see how that turns out.

[Reynard]

I'd like to see coca legalised, it's as harmful as coffee.

[Skell18]

I'd like to see coca legalised, it's as harmful as coffee.

I used that in peru for altitude sickness, wonder leaf!! It doesn't get you high up at altitude, just stops you feeling sick.

[Reynard]

Didn't get SWIM high at all, at normal altitude. Just like a very strong coffee but without the jitters :-)

[Crow]

Coca tea is great. It's a great little pick-me-up. The demonisation of coca leaf is unjust, it bares no resemblance to cocaine whatsoever. Drinking coca tea is no worse for you than drinking a cup of coffee.

http://www.cocashop.com

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Didn't get SWIM [...]

SWIM... Right...

[sgreger1]

Morphine was invented as a cure for opium addiction. Heroin was a replacement for morphine because it was "less" addictive. Dilaudid was developed as a superior chronic pain reliever with less side effects (i know someone who shot $15,000 in their arm in 5 months, very superior.) Methadone used for heroin, dilaudid, etc addiction maintenance is about twice as addictive as heroin. Withdrawal is awful and can take twice as long as withdrawal from the heroin it is used to replace (and with less high).

So sure, bring on the "safe and non-addictive drugs". I can't wait to see how that turns out.

Dilaudid is no joke. Got me some of that when my apendix tried to explode on me. I could see how it could get out of control fast if you had a steady supply of it.