Some people use drugs and alcohol as a way to relieve anxiety, depression, anger, and other unwanted feelings. This is called “self-medication,” and now a new study indicates that people who self-medicate this way are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders.
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Anxiety is a familiar feeling for thousands of people on a daily basis, ranging in severity from mildly uncomfortable to life-debilitating. Though not a commonly known term to the lay public, anti-anxiety medications and drugs to help treat panic disorder are also called anxiolytic drugs. These medications bring about a sense of calm, but should not be prescribed without close supervision, due to their addictive properties.
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Valium (or diazepam) is an anti-anxiety drug found in the family of drugs called benzodiazepines, home to Xanaz (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) among others. Valium is used to help treat and manage anxiety disorders as well as agitation, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. The drug works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)—a neurotransmitter—in the brain in order to produce a calming effect.
Valium (diazepam) was developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche in the early 1960s and was approved for use in 1963. It was the second benzodiazepine to be invented by Dr. Leo Sternbach and was two and a half times more effective then its predecessor Librium. Sales of valium quickly skyrocketed and it became the top-selling drug in the United States from 1969 to 1982, reaching its peak in 1978 when 2.3 billion tablets were sold.
Before taking Valium, it is important to share your complete medical history with your doctor. Certain medications can negatively interact with Valium, so it is imperative that your physician is aware of all the drugs you currently take before prescribing valium. You should not use Valium if you are allergic to diazepam or if you have liver disease, a breathing problem, sleep apnea, or if you are pregnant as it can cause birth defects to an unborn baby. Do not drink alcohol while taking valium. Valium may be habit forming and should only used as your doctor has prescribed. Do not share the medication with others and keep it in a secure location, especially away from children and individuals with a history of drug abuse.
Since Valium is habit forming, the medication should only be used for short-term therapy. Individuals who are prescribed the drug for long periods of time have a higher chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms once they discontinue taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include sweating, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, and muscle cramps.
Valium has a range of side effects. Some of the most common ones include: drowsiness, insomnia, impaired motor function, and memory problems. Some serious side effects that require immediate medical attention are: thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, muscle tremors, and flu-like symptoms. If you experience any of the serious symptoms listed above, call your doctor at once.
Valium has the potential for abuse and for many long-term users it can lead to dependence. It is usually taken as a secondary drug of abuse, mainly used to increase the effectiveness of the “high” caused by the primary drug. Overdosing on valium, especially if taken with alcohol, can lead to coma, respiratory failure, and in the most severe instances death.
For more information on valium, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Xanax, also known by its generic name Alprazolman, belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines and is a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The drug affects the chemicals in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the body that is naturally calming. When the GABA receptor is affected by the drug certain nerve signals in the brain are slowed down or stopped, relieving the patient from feelings of panic and depression.
Relapse is common among those struggling to overcome an addiction to cocaine. Besides the physical ailments associated with discontinuing use of a drug, often psychological factors cause the drug user to be susceptible to a relapse.
Research from Purdue University finds that personality traits associated with chronic worrying can lead to earlier death, at least in part because these people are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and drug abuse.
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Stan Starr, a 54-year-old financial consultant, goes to 12-step meetings not because of addiction to street drugs or alcohol, but because of the pills he was prescribed years ago by his psychiatrist for anxiety.
After he stopped taking Klonopin, a type of benzodiazepine, Starr found that he couldn’t sleep, his heartbeat was accelerated, he experienced terrible stomach pains, and he felt more anxious than ever. “I went through sheer living hell,” he said of the withdrawal. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it.”
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By Colin Gilbert
From an early age, Michael struggled with anxiety and depression. As a child, he always felt awkward in social gatherings, and, as a result, he did his best to avoid social interaction during adolescence and into his early teenage years. Solitude made him feel more comfortable, yet he couldn’t help feeling left out when he heard stories from his classmates about parties or school functions. Over time, he began to resent the social phobia and eventually decided to do something about it.
Michael had seen his dad drink beers after work and his mom share martinis with her friends, and he noticed how relaxed they seemed while drinking. So, during a family barbecue one summer afternoon, when his many relatives were socializing in the backyard, 14 year-old Michael spotted a half-empty beer and sneakily carried it around a corner. After a few cautious sips, he felt a rush of comfort and pleasure that thrilled him in a way nothing else ever had. He was tremendously excited by the foreign sensation of relaxed happiness, and before he knew it, the cup was empty. Instinctively, Michael went in search of another.
A short time later, Michael was considered “that crazy guy” at parties, doing keg stands and drinking vast quantities of whatever type of alcohol he could get his hands on. He liked the feeling of being known for something and the popularity that came with it, and before he knew it, he was secretly drinking before school to loosen up and remain “that crazy guy” at school. As an adult, Michael is now an alcoholic struggling with serious health issues. His marriage ended in divorce when his wife left him because of his drinking, and his life is spiraling out of control. And it all began with that half-cup of beer when he was 14.
For many people like Michael, alcohol and other drugs provide relief from daily struggles. However, for those who routinely look for something to “take the edge off,” serious problems with dependency may lie just under the surface. What may initially seem like a handy tool for dealing with uncomfortable situations can quickly become an all-encompassing, devastating addiction. Reliance on drugs like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or painkillers to soothe the mind is nothing short of addiction, warranting a change in behavior and, in many cases, professional help.
Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are the most common targets of self-medication, although other conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or various forms of chronic physical distress, can also lead individuals to administer their own form of treatment.
The potential dangers of self-medicating are plentiful, and chief among them is the threat of addiction. A 2007 report in the American Journal of Psychiatry identified a clear correspondence between social anxiety and alcohol dependence. The report explained that people suffering from anxiety are vulnerable to a snowballing reliance on alcohol because as alcohol wears off, the resulting withdrawals can cause greater anxiety, which in turn increases the likelihood of further drinking. Alcohol can also exacerbate feelings of depression as it wears off, tempting users to drink more.
Although self-medicating is often considered to be an adult behavior, young people are also at risk. A 2008 report from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) revealed an alarming link between teen drug use and depression. The study described a common scenario of teens treating feelings of depression with marijuana and other drugs, only to prolong their suffering and develop more significant mental health problems in the future. According to the report, depressed teens are twice as likely as non-depressed teens to use illegal drugs, and many become addicted.
Those who self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs are urged to seek healthier, less dangerous methods of coping with their discomfort. Recommended alternatives to self-medication include improved dietary habits, regular exercise, natural remedies, counseling, and other forms of therapy. Also, a doctor can be consulted to decide whether prescription medicines would be beneficial. There are many healthy, legal options available for overcoming every kind of mental and physical pain, and for escaping the bondage of addiction.
Self-medication with drugs and alcohol may seem like an innocuous way to make it through the day, but in reality, it is not a prudent choice. Alcohol and other drugs mask unpleasant symptoms but never reach the roots of the discomfort. In order to truly conquer chronic pain, experts say the suffering must be courageously faced. Then, strategies for working through the hardship can be considered, and the affliction can be genuinely overcome.
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