Addiction to anything can be harmful to your health. Addiction is uncontrollable and can have harmful consequences and changes in the brain which can be long-term and even fatal. Changes in the brain often lead to the harmful behaviours seen in people suffering from drug addiction.
The recovery process from drug addiction is voluntary but, in most cases, addiction affects a person's ability to choose to do the right thing which is seeking help making them compromised. Most addiction cases to medication are due to long-term drug exposure which affects proper brain function thereby affecting learning and memory and control over behaviour. An addiction to anti-anxiety medication needs to be treated fast to prevent relapse. Here are tips for seeking help for an addiction to anti-anxiety medication.
Consult a physician
Some people suffering from anxiety find it difficult to successfully medicate their anxiety. They take multiple drugs to ease their symptoms and may try non-addictive anxiety meds. In some cases, these medications might not work forcing them to take tougher drugs like Rohypnol which are used for severe anxiety and panic attacks. But these medications can be physically addictive.
Before starting any treatment it’s best to consult a primary care physician. You will receive treatment depending on your addiction. For example, when it comes to addiction to anti-anxiety medication, the physician will evaluate the addiction pattern, check your overall health, come up with a treatment plan and access other appropriate medication.
With the help of a doctor who is well versed with anti-anxiety medications and their qualities, a patient can get the right combination and keep their anxiety at bay and stop panic attacks. Receive proper care and treatment for addiction to anti-anxiety meds like benzodiazepines. You will undergo detoxification to minimise the severity of withdrawal symptoms under an experienced clinical team.
Check the different treatments available
While seeking help for an addiction to anti-anxiety medication, you need to know and understand the treatment options. Different treatment options are available for people suffering from addiction. They include medication, behavioural counselling and long-term treatment with regular follow-ups. These help prevent relapse and treat withdrawal symptoms and mental conditions like depression and anxiety.
Behavioural treatments involve putting a stop to certain behaviours like alcoholism through counselling. The use of certain medications can also be used to help people stop or reduce drinking or prevent relapse. It can be used alone or in combination with counselling.
There are also mutual support groups that offer support to those who are addicted and still in recovery. The support combined with proper treatment and follow-ups with a health professional can help improve the recovery process.
Most people suffering from drug addiction experience relapse and therefore, require frequent follow-ups to ensure that they can attempt to stop drug use. However, it’s not simple for drug addiction to be treated. It takes patience, hope and the refusal of giving up. The treatment plan is long-term to help the patient stop using completely and recover their lives by stopping using drugs, staying drug-free and being productive in all areas of their lives but worth giving it a try.