The number of people who receive anxiety drugs each year may seem unbelievable. Yet, there are quite a number of them because anxiety disorders are the most occurring disorders worldwide. Because of that, drugs that efficiently treat anxiety without the danger of addiction are currently being developed and due to the risks of addiction, these non-addictive medications are frequently sought in place of addictive ones. This has increased the demand for non-addictive anxiety drugs worldwide. Although the prevalent misconception that all anxiety medications are addictive persists to this day, this is simply untrue, and this article will inform you about the top non-addictive anxiety medications you can opt for.
What Is Non-addictive Medication for Anxiety?
Simply put, non-addictive anxiety medications are pharmaceuticals or substances that people with anxiety disorders take to lessen or debilitate their anxiety without running into the danger of addiction. Individuals with anxiety disorders are particularly prone to addiction. This is due to the fact that whenever people experience such crises, they rely on their prescriptions to keep them calm. These situations might occur frequently which could result in regular usage of these drugs and eventual dependence.
What Is Anxiety?
Basically, anxiety is a sensation of dread and apprehension. On rare occasions, people may feel anxious as a result of a specific circumstance. However, pills and pharmaceuticals are rarely necessary to treat this sporadic anxiety. Nonetheless, some individuals with anxiety disorders deal with intense, excessive, and persistent concern and fear over everyday events. The recurrence of rapid, acute feelings of fear or terror that peak in a matter of minutes is a characteristic of anxiety disorders (panic attacks). Addiction is one of the many causes of anxiety disorders. This is why it’s crucial that people with anxiety disorders use non-addictive drugs.
Non-addictive Anxiety Medication
There are several non-addictive anxiety medications available to help manage anxiety symptoms. Here are some examples:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
These medications are non-addictive and you can use them to treat both anxiety and depression. They rank among the most often prescribed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. They function by raising the brain’s serotonin levels. SSRI drugs accomplish this by preventing nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin neurotransmitters because a lack of serotonin in the body is one of the causes of anxiety. Serotonin is a hormone that elevates one’s mood. Hence, increasing serotonin levels in the brain might enhance mood and lessen anxiety.
Some examples of drugs in the SSRIs group are;
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Citalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):
The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are non-addictive drugs that boost serotonin levels in the body, just like the SSRI pharmaceutical class. However, SNRIs raise levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These two substances elevate mood and lessen anxiety. The same mechanism that SSRIs use is also used by SNRIs. This indicates that they raise the levels of the two neurotransmitters by preventing their reabsorption into the nerve cell. And yes, you can use them to treat depression too.
Some examples of drugs in the SNRIs group are
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
You should equally note that while SSRIs and SNRIs aren’t addictive, stopping antidepressant treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms. This is sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. Work with your doctor to gradually and safely decrease your dose if you want to stop.
Buspirone:
The FDA approved this as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines such as diazepam for relieving anxiety symptoms. Buspirone takes a few weeks to become effective unlike its addictive counterpart, benzodiazepines, which takes only about 30 to 60 minutes to relieve anxiety symptoms. It works by affecting the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that are associated with anxiety like serotonin and dopamine.
Beta-blockers:
Beta-blockers were originally made to manage high blood pressure. But they are equally effective in treating the physical symptoms of anxiety. Oftentimes, doctors prescribe them for urgent situations for a calming effect on the patients. For example, during public speaking, a person who has anxiety issues may take it shortly before going to the stage. Beta-blockers, just as the name implies work by blocking the effect of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline thereby widening the arteries and veins for better blood flow. It instantly reduces the heart rate and lowers the blood pressure once you take it.
Beta-blockers have side effects and people who have underlying illnesses such as diabetes, asthmatic attacks, and high cholesterol should not use beta blockers because of their adverse side effects. Also, beta-blockers are more effective at treating physical symptoms and therefore doctors prescribe them alongside other anti-anxiety medications.
Side Effects of Non-addictive Anxiety Medications
A medication being non-addictive does not make it devoid of side effects. That being said, these groups of non-addictive anxiety medications come with side effects that can be mild or severe. Notably, not everyone experiences these side effects, so it is very important to take them strictly according to the prescription.
Some of the side effects of non-addictive anxiety medications include:
- Nausea
- Feeling dizzy
- Dry mouth
- Lack of sleep or insomnia
- restlessness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sexual problems, such as reduced sexual desire
- Eating disorders e.g. excessive eating, loss of appetite, etc.
The side effects of non-addictive anxiety medicines are widespread. Meaning that you could experience these adverse effects from any non-addictive anxiety medication you take. However, your intolerance to a particular drug does not necessarily mean you will be intolerant to all of them. If your body cannot accept an already prescribed one, see your doctor to change it to a more suitable one. Factors that may influence your tolerance to these medications include, an underlying disease and body composition.
Controlled Substance vs. Noncontrolled Substance for Anxiety
You will get to understand the difference between controlled and uncontrolled substances.
Controlled Substances
These are substances that drug enforcement agencies regulate because of their ability to cause dependence. Physically and mentally. Several categories of controlled chemicals exist. These have various limitations regarding how and when they can be filled or replenished. It’s critical to understand that there can be other limitations, for example, your state, pharmacy, and insurance plan could all be factors. Benzodiazepines are an example of a controlled anti-anxiety medications
Control drugs fall into five categories; Schedule 1-5. The lower the schedule, the lower tendencies of addiction or dependence. This means that schedule 1 drug, having a high tendency of dependence, is highly regulated and is very scarce to find, for example, heroin. Most controlled anti-anxiety medications fall within the schedule 4 category.
If Your Doctor Prescribes a Controlled Medication for You, It Is Important to Do These:
- You should know extensively the directions for the use of the drugs and follow them religiously according to prescription
- Do not stop Controlled drugs abruptly as this can cause symptoms similar to withdrawal symptoms
- It’s best to get your controlled medications from one pharmacy. This is because very few pharmacies restock their controlled drugs once it’s out of stock. However, If you use a particular pharmacy, the pharmacist will make provisions for it.
- Controlled drugs can have very severe side effects and can cause substance use disorder. This can occur for various reasons, for instance, the interaction of medication with an underlying illness. In such a situation, contact your doctor to gradually stop the medication.
Non-controlled Substances
Non-controlled drugs are drugs that are not regulated by law with regard to possession and use. Most drugs used to treat chronic illness fall under this category. You can readily get these drugs over the counter and you can use them to treat simple illnesses like infections.
Some of the non-controlled drugs for anxiety are;
Home and Natural Remedies for Treating Anxiety
There are some homemade and natural remedies that can help ease or reduce anxious anxiety. Even while taking medications. Some of them are:
- Deep breathing: When you feel anxiety symptoms start to kick in, it could be very helpful to take breathing exercises. Sit calmly and try to steady your breathing. Breathe in and out slowly. For better results, breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth.
- Exercise: Physical exercise can help reduce anxiety. Engage in frequent and daily exercises like running, jogging, sitting up, yoga, etc. Most times, this helps with anxiety caused by stress.
- Mediation: Practicing mindfulness meditation has been shown to help with the reduction of anxiety.
- Herbal remedies: Herbal remedies can be used to treat anxiety. Although, these herbal remedies should be taken on the instruction of a medical health practitioner because they could negatively interact with other drugs or underlying illnesses
- Aromatherapy: This refers to the act of inhaling soothing scents like lavender oil, chamomile, or bergamot to reduce anxiety.
Generally, natural remedies are a soft landing when trying to treat or manage anxiety as opposed to conventional medical medications. However, these natural remedies may not be enough to treat anxiety and may need to be taken/done alongside other medications. we should visit our doctors for a routine and to ascertain which is safe and which isn’t.
Home and Natural Remedies for Treating Anxiety
Medications and home remedies are not the only ways to treat or manage anxieties. There is a list of other options which includes
Counseling
Therapy
Dietary treatment
Improving self-esteem
Joining support groups
Mindfulness
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Non-addictive Anxiety Medications
Is This Curable, or Am I Going to Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder Forever?
GAD is a readily treatable long-term chronic illness. More than half of those who seek treatment state that their anxieties started when they were kids or teenagers. GAD typically doesn’t go away by itself and requires intervention and treatment. GAD is treated by both medical doctors and mental health specialists, but the best long-term care for GAD involves both psychotherapy and medication.
How Can I Help a Loved One With Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Assisting a loved one who has GAD can be very challenging. Essential things to note if your loved one has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder are: Always listen attentively to them, and watch your tone when talking so you doubt sound harsh or threatening. Be encouraging and remind them as much as possible that they are safe.
What if I Dont Want Medicarions, Can My Anxiety Be Managed by Therapy Only?
Yes, an anxiety disorder can be managed by therapy alone. However, this will be time-consuming and not readily effective. Suppose you want to opt for only therapy, it’s best to check with your doctors first. It’s always better t combine therapy with medications.
Is Anxiety Always Bad?
Although anxiety can be tough to deal with, our goal is never to totally eliminate all of our anxiety.
We all benefit from moderate levels of anxiety, as anxiety helps up to stay motivated to achieve our goals. If our anxiety levels were too low, we wouldn’t be motivated to get anything accomplished.