ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATIONS AND THE HIDDEN DANGERS
Let us look at anti-anxiety medications such as:
- Ambien
- Ativan
- Klonopin
- Lunesta
- Sonata
- Valium
- Xanax
Anti-anxiety Medications are Addictive than Heroin
The number one issue with these drugs is that they are terribly addictive. Stevie Nicks, the lead singer of the rock group Fleetwood Mac, indicated that she was a severe cocaine addict for more than a decade. Her addiction was so severe she ended up having a deviated septum (a hole in the tissue separating nostrils). That is a hard core addiction. Ms. Nicks said that cocaine withdrawal paled in comparison to Klonopin, a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Physical dependence can occur in as few as 14 days. Many doctors have indicated that withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be as difficult as heroin. The major problems with the withdrawal are that it can lead to: anxiety, depression, psychosis. They also often experience a “rebound effect” wherein the symptoms are worse than when they started.
Between 1990 and 1996, benzodiazepines caused more deaths than heroin, cocaine, and methadone combined. Paradoxically, a 2001 British study reported that there was an increase in hostility and aggression among those taking benzodiazepines. Are you seeing a pattern here? The pattern is that you see a marked increase in the behavior that you are trying to prevent.
In 2008, the FDA required Ambien, an extremely popular sleep medication, to carry a warning label that said it could cause a worsening of depression, including suicidal thoughts and actions and completed suicide.
Xanax is one of the number one prescribed anti anxiety medications. It too is part of the benzodiazepines class. The primary difference in these drugs is the time it takes to feel the effects and the length of time it lasts or stays in your system (called “half life.”). Xanax is fast acting and has a relatively short duration of effects. Thus, it is the “perfect” drug for anxiety. First, like other benzodiazepines addiction is common. However, Xanax can take the brain six to 18 months to recover from Xanax addiction. More paradoxes: extreme anger and hostile behavior are common. This is called “dyscontrol.” Xanax is widely abused and is common on the black market.