Prescription Drug Addiction - Specialists and Information

Among the medications most likely to cause dependence are:

• Sedatives (benzodiazepines) such as Valium®, Tavor®, Tafil®, and
• various pain relievers such as Thomapyrin®, Spalt®, and Vivimed®

Doctors often prescribe these medications to treat anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, or pain. They do not lead to drug dependence until later.

According to estimates, approximately 1.1 million people in Germany are dependent on benzodiazepine medications @ luchschenF /AdobeStock

The reasons why patients cannot stop taking the medications are:

• They have to increase the dose to achieve the desired effect
• Withdrawal symptoms occur when they stop taking the medication, causing anxiety symptoms or sleep disorders to worsen again

Therefore, it is important to take these medications only for a limited time (max. 6 weeks). Other medications that are not addictive should be used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression.

Examples include:

• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Herbal remedies

In Germany, approximately 1.2 million people are dependent on benzodiazepines. If a person is addicted to benzodiazepines, discontinuing use can lead to psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.

The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person.

Benzodiazepines inhibit nerve cells in the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes emotions such as anxiety @ joshya /AdobeStock

Psychological withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Insomnia and 
• Depressive mood

In cases of severe withdrawal symptoms, delirium may also occur, accompanied by confusion and psychotic experiences (e.g., delusions and hallucinations).

Physical symptoms include:

• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Tremors and sweating
• Headaches and muscle pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In cases of severe withdrawal syndrome, epileptic seizures may also occur.

Delirium is a state of acute confusion that develops within hours or days @ New Africa /AdobeStock

It is important to taper off benzodiazepines slowly over several weeks in close consultation with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

This helps prevent withdrawal symptoms or at least make them more tolerable. Inpatient treatment is often necessary for treating benzodiazepine dependence.