Anxiolytics and Antidepressants: Is There a risk of Addiction?
Anxiolytics and antidepressants are among the drugs “psychotropic” whose function is to change the psyche and therefore behavior.
1. Antidepressants
Provided that those who consume them will not increase spontaneously doses of treatment, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence, whatever the duration of their use. However, there may be some psychological dependence mainly due to the reassuring function of drugs. A sharp reduction in dosage can cause mild physical symptoms: dizziness, nausea, sweating. These effects do not occur if the dose is tapered.
2. Anxiolytics or tranquilizers
They are mainly indicated in anxiety states, sometimes insomnia or withdrawal (including alcohol). There were main effects of appeasing anxiety, relax muscles, and lower the tone in general (sedative). There are side effects, especially drowsiness, which can be dangerous, especially for drivers of vehicles and machinery. Many tranquilizers are prescribed based benzodiazepine, a substance that carries the risk of physical and psychological dependence. One person in ten regularly use and an estimated 7% the proportion of consumers that regular exhibits at the risk of addiction.
3. Hypnotics or sedatives
These drugs lower alertness and induce sleep. 9% of women and 4% of men consume * each night, and the elderly have more recourse. Such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills are prescribed most belong to the benzodiazepine family. Sleeping pills are sometimes ingested in large doses, or associated with other products, like alcohol, which potentiate the effects and redouble psychic phenomena and psychological dependence.
4. Signs and treatment of addiction
Dependence on psychotropic drugs results in tolerance requiring increasing doses to achieve the same psychic effects or do not feel lacking. To stop taking the drugs, weaning causes characteristic symptoms: significant anxiety, irritability, occasional seizures, especially among alcoholics. The risk of dependence is aggravated when the patient associates himself more products using prescription from different doctors. In addition, some patients continue to complain of their symptoms to their doctors, who by increasing the dosage, paving the way for escalating drug. The dependence treatment course based on prevention, with a limitation of prescribing anxiolytics from the doctor. Moreover, any anxiety state does not require the use of tranquilizers. Your doctor will know you administer the appropriate treatment. In cases of dependence, it will recommend a gradual reduction in dose for two to three weeks.
Tags: anxiolytics, depressure