Please help, I think I am addicted to prescription drugs...?

Question

I have been taking prescription drugs for anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and insomnia for 7 years now. One of the prescriptions I take is Ambien CR. I also suffer from fibromyalgia. I have noticed a significant change in myself since starting the drugs, but I am worried that I may be addicted to them now. I literally start to spaz out when I don't take my meds. I have a racing pulse and really paranoid thoughts and emotions while I search for other drugs to knock me out. Please help, I really don't want to be drowning here.

Answer 1

Yes you are. A lot of the drugs that you are probably taking are highly addictive, especially anxiety meds and ambien CR. If you are really serious about not having to rely on prescription drugs, you are going to have to make a real commitment to wean your self off of them. You need to talk to you doctor before you do anything, because if you quit cold turkey, there are many negative side effects, some of which my put your life in danger.  

Answer 2

Well you don't have to think anymore because you are addicted. The spaz out feeling, racing pulse, paranoid thoughts and emotions are the symptoms of withdrawal, when you don't take your meds. Seven years is a long time to take prescription drugs. You only mentioned one of the drugs by name and that was Ambien CR. It really should only be taken for short term insomnia.  If taken over long periods of time it can be addicting, highly addicting. The only help you can get is to stop taking them altogether. Most anxiety, depression meds need to be tapered off in order to stop. You should slowly cut down on the Ambien as well. You will have sleep problems when cutting down but this will pass. You really need to ask your doctor to find out which meds you do still need.  He/she will be able to put you on a schedule in which you can basically detox from some of your medications so as to have the least symptoms of withdrawal. In the future ask your doctor about any meds that he is prescribing and learn which ones are addicting. Ask for another drug if you don't want to become addicted.

Answer 3

Action, very observant of you to notice this in yourself.  It may be very wise to speak with either your pharmacist or doctor and tell them of your thoughts and feelings.  They may be able to identify which drugs appear to be giving you the most addictive possibilities.  Also there are Narcanon meetings for people who are abusing drugs, illegal street drugs as well as legal prescription meds.  You may want to investigate attending one of these meetings.  There are also many detox facilities that are there to help people from abusing prescription medications.  Whatever you decide best of luck and health to you.