Preparing to give a speech, standing in front of a growling dog or driving a car through the mountains on a rainy night are situations in which almost everyone feels a twinge of anxiety. The rush of blood anxiety causes, as well as increases in breathing rates and heart rates, help people prepare to tackle the stressful situation with poise and calm. People with anxiety disorders, on the other hand, may feel symptoms of anxiety all of the time, even when no trigger seems to be in sight.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 40 million Americans 18 and older have an anxiety disorder within any given year. Many of these people are provided with prescriptions for Valium, and if they develop addictions to this medication, they’ll need a new treatment option to help them find relief.

Medication Choices

Valium and benzodiazepines like it tend to trigger the pleasure centers of the brain. Addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin do the same. Boosting the pleasurable sensations the brain feels can quickly and efficiently lead to an addiction, and for this reason, people with addiction histories really need to steer clear of drugs like this. Their brains are primed to respond, in a big way, when they’re given access to substances like this. People with anxiety may benefit from switching to other types of drugs that can ease anxiety without increasing a sensation of pleasure. According to an article in the journal American Family Physician, good choices include:

• Antidepressants
• Anticonvulsants
• Antihypertensive agents
• Neuroleptics

These medications work, but they do tend to bring about changes quite slowly, when compared to Valium. It can take a period of adjustment, as people move from one drug to another.

Other Options

While some cases of anxiety respond well to medications, not everyone who has anxiety needs medications in order to keep symptoms under control. In fact, some people in recovery from an addiction to prescription pills make a promise never to take drugs like this again, no matter what might be happening. Thankfully, there are many treatment options for anxiety that don’t involve the use of any medication at all. For example, some people find it helpful to use meditation and deep breathing exercises to control their anxiety attacks. When they begin to feel restless, upset and unsure, they close their eyes and breathe in through their mouths and out of their noses, in a slow and steady pace, while they fix their minds on an image of a place that’s warm, safe and inviting. By performing this exercise, people may find that their symptoms begin to ease.

Participating in support groups might also be helpful for people in recovery both from addiction and anxiety. Here, they can share their personal stories, and obtain advice and support from others who have similar experiences. This can help people to feel less isolated and alone, and it might also help people come up with solutions that they might never have considered on their own.

Dealing with an addiction and a mental illness is never easy, but at Axis, we specialize in helping people just like you. Our therapists are adept at developing treatment programs that can help you to keep both conditions under control, for the rest of your life. Please contact us to find out more.