Tranquilizers - Treatment for Habitual Users

Treatment for Habitual Users

Tranquilizers are often abused. Even users who take them at a prescribed dose run the risk of developing an addiction after just six weeks of use. In general, the best way to treat an addiction to tranquilizers is to gradually reduce the dose of the drug under the supervision of a qualified physician. If an individual decides to just stop taking the drug, there can be serious physical consequences, such as seizures, psychosis, paranoia, heart palpitations, and depression. Inpatient or outpatient counseling is also recommended during the detoxificationOften abbreviated as detox; a difficult process by which substance abusers stop taking those substances and rid their bodies of the toxins that accumulated during the time they consumed such substances. and withdrawal processes.

Drug addiction occurs in many families regardless of wealth, race, gender, politics, or religious beliefs. After allegedly trying to fill a fake prescription for Xanax, Noelle Bush was arrested and later ordered into a drug treatment program by
Drug addiction occurs in many families regardless of wealth, race, gender, politics, or religious beliefs. After allegedly trying to fill a fake prescription for Xanax, Noelle Bush was arrested and later ordered into a drug treatment program by the court. The daughter of Florida governor Jeb Bush, she is the niece of President George W. Bush. AP/Wide World Photos.

Doctors match the withdrawal process to the type of tranquilizer the patient is abusing. Patients who are taking high-dose BZDs follow a program that takes one of three approaches: 1) the dosage and amount of the abused drug is gradually decreased over time; 2) another BZD is substituted for the original tranquilizer abused, then the substitute BZD is gradually decreased over time; or 3) the barbiturate phenobarbital (Luminal) is substituted for the original tranquilizer abused and then the withdrawal process begins. The chosen method depends on the substance of abuse. Detoxification and the withdrawal process typically occur in a medical setting and require the patient to follow the doctor's orders exactly.