Posted on 07/19/2018 10:55:43 AM PDT by Mariner
The growing use of anti-anxiety pills reminds some doctors of the early days of the opioid crisis.
Considered relatively safe and non-addictive by the general public and many doctors, Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Klonopin have been prescribed to millions of Americans for decades to calm jittery nerves and promote a good night’s sleep.
But the number of people taking the sedatives and the average length of time they’re taking them have shot up since the 1990s, when doctors also started liberally prescribing opioid painkillers.
As a result, some state and federal officials are now warning that excessive prescribing of a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines or “benzos” is putting more people at risk of dependence on the pills and is exacerbating the fatal overdose toll of painkillers and heroin. Some local governments are beginning to restrict benzo prescriptions.
When taken in combination with painkillers or illicit narcotics, benzodiazepines can increase the likelihood of a fatal overdose as much as tenfold, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. On their own, the medications can cause debilitating withdrawal symptoms that last for months or years.
Public health officials also warn that people who abruptly stop taking benzodiazepines risk seizures or even death.
(Excerpt) Read more at pewtrusts.org ...
The party was all fun and games ‘til someone showed up and started passing around the ‘Ludes
Then it became memorable...
Actually, I think alcohol is the biggest drug misused in the world.
But it is legal for adults to use, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I know far more people who take a sip of courage, or a drink to relax, forget about things, or just to get shatfaced then any number of pill takers.
It’s human nature.
Regulators need to mind their own business.
_____________________________
Benzos and alcohol hit almost all the same receptors in the brain. Both can be used judiciously.
Xanax is not an antidepressant. It is an antianxiety drug.
Benzos like alcohol, need to be weaned down for heavy addicted users.
Benzos are used to wean alcohol.
I was on it for about seven months.
The biggest problem I had was remembering when to take it.
Seriously?
Most PCPs are well versed in prescribing benzos and they are used for many different reasons in normal Primary care practice. Psychiatrists are busy treating acute psychiatric diagnosis, not simple muscle spasms, occasional episodic anxiety, or osteoarthritis...all uses for benzos.
Yes—anti-anxiety. I was given an RX for a full dose every 8 hours, or as needed. Just 1/2 a dose, once a day does the trick.
SSRI’s are the most dangerous drugs on the planet.
Only a Psychiatrist is qualified to determine need. But, by far, the vast majority are prescribed by the General Practitioner.
... are the next epidemic. The ship has sailed on this.. it isnt coming back. Even the state governments know this already.
Same here.
Yup. Damn near killed me.
I can tell you mariner you are dead wrong. Benzos killed my best friends son. One freakin xanax bar killed my little fishing buddy. A 17 year old star student..star wrestler...stone cold sober except for accidently mistaking a xanax bar for his insomnia meds.
Not a high dose. Trent...like a small percentage of the population...go to sleep and just stop breathing.
And mariner...I can tell you first hand...my friend lurker is right...benzos aint even close to the most addictive drug...nicotine is.
Signed, vigilantcitizen. Clean off cocaine 25 years.
What effects? How does it help? I am awed by all the different maladies I am encountering that can be eased or fixed by D.
“I took Xanax for a while. I did not become addicted. It helped me.”
Same for me. I had panic and anxiety attacks after my daughter and only child died. Xanax helped me, and I did not become addicted. It also helped when my father, brother and husband died — all within three years of my daughter’s death. I wish people here would not judge others on what drugs they take and why. If other FReepers can manage to get through the deaths of all of their family members in three years without drugs, more power to you. I could not.
I am so sorry for the pain you went through. That was a lot of loss. I agree with you that we should not be judged. Everyone needs a crutch every now and then. What we need is so very individualized. The speed of loss and the connectedness to the loss make a major difference in what we can endure. God bless you.
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