Can I Become Addicted to My Anxiety Medication?
Treating Anxiety and Anxiety Medication Addiction
Anxiety can be a debilitating condition that may lead to panic attacks and negative life consequences. While anxiety medication can be effective, it also carries the risk of addiction. Long-term recovery requires treating both the anxiety and the addiction. Holistic therapy—such as meditation, yoga, and personalized care—can help manage anxiety in a healthy, sustainable way. Cliffside Malibu offers individualized treatment plans for anyone seeking support for anxiety and substance use.
What Is Anxiety?
Having anxiety is much more than feeling nervous before a big event—it can be a crippling mental health condition that affects daily functioning. In many cases, individuals require anxiety medication to manage their symptoms.
According to anxiety.org, anxiety-related disorders are categorized into three main types:
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
- Trauma and stressor-related disorders
Anxiety disorders are defined by excessive fear or worry, which may lead to emotional and behavioral issues. In some cases, anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, which are intense episodes that mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks
- Racing heart
- Dizziness or faintness
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or fingers
- Sense of terror or impending doom
- Chills or sweating
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling a loss of control
Anxiety Medication and Its Risks
According to Everyday Health, Benzodiazepines—or “benzos”—are commonly prescribed medications for anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. While effective, they also carry a high risk of dependence.
Common Benzodiazepines Used for Anxiety
- Xanax
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Oxazepam (Serax)
- Librium
- Valium
- Rohypnol
When taken as prescribed and monitored by a physician, anxiety medications can control symptoms and reduce panic attacks. However, they can become addictive if misused or taken over extended periods without proper supervision.
Addiction Warning Signs
Benzodiazepines affect the brain much like other addictive substances such as opioids and cannabis. Over time, they can alter brain chemistry, leading to tolerance, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
Signs You May Be Addicted to Anxiety Medication
- Exceeding the prescribed dosage
- Obtaining prescriptions from multiple providers or illicit sources
- Needing the medication to feel “normal”
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using it
- Inability to control usage
- Negative impact on relationships, work, or daily responsibilities
Comprehensive Treatment for Anxiety and Addiction
If you’re using prescription medication for anxiety and have become dependent on it, it’s important to address both the addiction and the root cause—your anxiety. Treating anxiety alone or addiction alone increases the risk of relapse. Dual diagnosis treatment ensures long-term recovery by targeting both issues simultaneously.
About Cliffside Malibu
At Cliffside Malibu, we help individuals safely wean off anxiety medications while building effective coping strategies. Our treatment plans are personalized to address both immediate and long-term needs for anxiety and substance abuse recovery.
Holistic Therapy for Anxiety and Addiction
Holistic and complementary therapies can help individuals calm their minds, regain control, and develop resilience. These approaches also help process and release the excess energy stored in the body due to anxiety.
Examples of holistic therapies include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Equine therapy
- Exercise
- Acupuncture
We combine these methods with evidence-based treatments such as individual and group therapy to help individuals build sustainable skills for managing anxiety. Our approach treats the whole person—not just the symptoms.
Personalized Treatment Based on Readiness for Change
Each patient is placed into one of five stages of the Transtheoretical Model of change:
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
Treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s stage to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our goal is to meet each individual where they are and help them progress toward long-term healing.
Cliffside Malibu offers a full continuum of care, including medically supervised detox, residential treatment, day treatment, and outpatient services. We support individuals with a primary diagnosis of substance or alcohol addiction and offer structured programs for sustained recovery.
For more information, visit cliffsidemalibu.com.