Can You Get Addicted to Anxiety Meds?

There are a variety of medications that are commonly used to treat anxiety. They are broken up into different categories and include benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), beta blockers, and buspirone. 

Each of these different types of medication works in different ways but helps to accomplish the same goal, which is to relieve anxiety. 

Anxiety medications affect both the brain and body in different ways depending on the category of drug they are in. Benzos help to relieve anxiety and relax the body by boosting the neurotransmitter GABA. 

It can also reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as a racing heart, tremors, or restlessness. They go to work very quickly, providing fast relief from panic attacks. 

SSRIs and SNRIs increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood and emotional stability. Over time, these medications can help relieve anxiety and improve emotional regulation. 

Beta blockers help to reduce the physical symptoms associated with anxiety. This includes things like a racing heart, tremors, and sweating. In turn, this can help to relieve the mental effects of anxiety as well. This medication can be particularly helpful in helping to provide relief for those who struggle with performance anxiety. 

Finally, buspirone helps provide a sense of calm by reducing anxiety and excessive worrying. It does this by balancing one’s levels of dopamine and serotonin. 

Benzos are considered to be the drug class that can be used to treat anxiety, which also carries one of the highest risks of misuse and addiction. This includes medications such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium. 

Part of what makes these medications so addictive is that they go to work very quickly and are effective at relieving anxiety. Because they go to work so quickly, people may quickly build up a tolerance to them. As a result, they may begin taking more and more of the drug to experience the same relief they did when they were first prescribed the medication. This can quickly lead to physical dependence, and the individual will likely experience symptoms of withdrawal if they suddenly stop taking the medication. 

Physical dependence and addiction are two different things when it comes to taking medication. 

In the case of physical dependence, the individual’s body has become used to a particular substance, such as an anxiety medication. They will now need to take that medication in order to function normally. If they don’t take the medication, they may experience withdrawal side effects. 

Physical dependence is expected when taking many types of anxiety medications, including common SSRIs and SNRIs. It occurs even when an individual takes their medication exactly as instructed. 

Addiction, however, involves using a medication for a purpose or in a way that goes beyond its original intention. For example, this involves taking more of the medication than instructed or taking it for a different reason than intended. This might occur if someone began taking a particular anxiety medication in order to deal with other negative emotions instead of anxiety. They may also feel a compulsive need to continue to misuse the medication even if it leads to negative consequences in their life. 

Yes, it is common to develop a tolerance to anxiety medication, even if you’re taking it exactly as instructed. 

Your likelihood of developing a tolerance to anxiety medication depends on several factors, including the medication itself and the length of time you’ve been taking it. Tolerance occurs naturally as your brain and body become used to a certain substance. Benzodiazepines are one of the substances in which there is a high risk of the development of tolerance and eventual addiction. 

Other substances, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, are not associated with a high risk of the development of tolerance. High doses, self-medication, and co-occurring substance use disorder are all factors that can contribute to one’s likelihood of developing a tolerance to a certain medication. 

Some of the common signs that someone may be developing a tolerance to a certain medication may include: 

There are ways to reduce the likelihood of developing a tolerance to an anxiety medication, particularly in the case of benzodiazepines. This includes prescribing the medication only on a short-term basis, using the lowest effective dosage possible, and using a tapering plan if deciding to discontinue usage of the medication. It is also important to pair medication with therapy methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. 

Benzodiazepines are often associated with a high risk of misuse and eventual addiction due to several factors. 

One of the primary factors is that this type of medication goes to work very quickly, at times even within minutes. The quick relief can cause some people to want to take more medication than necessary. 

Another factor that can contribute to the likelihood of a high risk of misuse associated with benzodiazepines is the fact that it enhances a neurotransmitter in the brain known as GABA. This neurotransmitter is responsible for relaxing the muscles, reducing anxiety, and providing a sensation of euphoria. It can also cause a sense of emotional numbness for some people. The immediate relief that this provides can cause some people to begin to depend on the medication for a sense of comfort, rather than just experiencing relief from anxiety. 

Benzodiazepines are also associated with a high risk of developing a tolerance to medication. As a result, an individual may need more and more of the medication to experience the same relief. If they try to discontinue taking the medication, they may experience unpleasant withdrawal side effects. This may include severe anxiety, shaking, trouble sleeping, and panic. 

Some factors that may increase the likelihood of developing an addiction to anxiety medication may include having a family history of substance misuse, genetics, and having a history of anxiety or panic-related disorders. Those who are struggling with unresolved trauma, borderline personality disorder, depression, or a lack of effective coping skills may also face a heightened risk. 

Some behavioral signs of anxiety medication misuse may include turning to the medication during times of stress or other negative emotions, taking more medication than instructed, or going through a prescription faster than anticipated. 

Some physical or psychological signs of anxiety medication misuse could include trouble focusing, lack of motivation, increased anxiety between doses, mood swings, and memory issues. Additional signs could include being unable to feel normal without the medication, hiding medication use, or lying about medication use. 

A person should be concerned that their anxiety medication use may have turned into problem use if they use the medication to cope with emotional issues, take more of the medication, take higher doses than prescribed, or run out of the medication before they are scheduled for a refill. 

They should also be concerned if they find themselves continuing to take a particular medication even if it leads to negative consequences within their life, such as conflict with others, risky or dangerous behaviors, or health issues. 

One of the key reasons that addiction to anxiety medication may occur, particularly in the case of benzodiazepines, is that the medication works very quickly. 

As a result, an individual may take increasing amounts of the medication to achieve the same immediate relief. Other key reasons are that tolerance can develop in just a short time, and withdrawal effects can be very severe. 

Co-occurring disorders, such as other mental health issues, can significantly increase one’s risk of medication misuse or addiction. These other disorders may include depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or emotional dysregulation. 

Stress, trauma, and environmental factors such as financial struggle, job pressures, or family conflict can all contribute to the likelihood of developing an addiction to anxiety medication. 

Some short-term risks of anxiety medication addiction include poor judgment, trouble focusing, dangerous drug interactions, memory loss, and worsened anxiety. 

Long-term risks of anxiety medication addiction may include psychological and physical dependence, seizures, sleep problems, mood problems, respiratory issues, and chronic headaches. 

If an individual suspects that they may be addicted to anxiety medication, they should reach out to their doctor or another medical professional right away. They should not attempt to quit taking the medication “cold turkey” but instead, work with their doctor to develop a plan to safely discontinue use of the medication. 

Medically managed withdrawal involves safely and gradually tapering off the use of a medication in a controlled and supervised manner. 

Hawaii Island Recovery utilizes a whole-person approach to treatment that involves addressing an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional needs through a combination of evidence-based treatment practices. 

Patients should ask if there is a high risk of addiction associated with a particular medication, whether or not a medication is intended to be taken in the long-term, what type of side effects to expect, and how long they should expect the medication to take to go into effect. 

Yes, medication should always be monitored over time to prevent misuse. 

You should always take anxiety medication exactly as instructed by your doctor, avoid mixing the medication with other substances such as alcohol, and look out for any potential side effects. 

If you suspect that a loved one may be misusing their anxiety medication, it is important to reach out to them right away and be open and honest about your concerns. You should ensure your loved one knows that you’re coming from a place of love and compassion, not of judgment. 

You should share your concerns about your loved one’s substance use and provide them with potential treatment options. This can be as simple as providing a phone number for a local mental health professional. To learn more, reach out to Hawaii Island Recovery today. 

While taken exactly as instructed, anxiety medication can often help reduce the symptoms of excessive worrying. However, in the case of certain medications, particularly benzodiazepines, the risk of addiction is very high. If you are struggling with anxiety medication misuse, our team at Hawaii Island Recovery can help. Call (866) 390-5070 today to learn more.