Ativan, or Lorazepam, is often prescribed by doctors for anxiety. Ativan is a benzodiazepine drug that is one of the quicker acting benzodiazepine drugs. Ativan is highly addictive, in fact it is one of the most addictive drugs in the benzodiazepine family. One reason Ativan becomes such a popular drug on the streets as a drug of abuse is because Ativan is sometimes prescribed to chemotherapy patients to help with nausea and vomiting. So, Ativan has multiple uses, and therefore is easier to obtain. Many people steal the drug from chemotherapy patients. Withdrawal effects from Ativan can be felt after as little as one week of taking the drug. Withdrawal effects often trigger addiction seeking behavior. For this reason, addicts and alcoholics are usually never prescribed Ativan for anxiety related symptoms.

Labels: Anxiety Disorders, Ativan Addiction, Lorazepam Addiction, Treatment for Anxiety, Treatment for Benzos

Many people that enter drug rehab have anxiety problems. Many suffer from sleep problems and others have full blown panic attacks. It is thought that anxiety disorders is the result of a malfunctioning parabrachial nucleus that coordinates signals from the amygdala, which in turn triggers fear. From a neurochemical perspective, there are low levels of GABA neurotransmitter contributing towards anxiety. GABA(a) is known for reducing over-activity in the central nervous system.

In Drug and Alcohol Treatment the treatment of anxiety disorders is tricky because many of the drugs used to treat anxiety disorders or panic disorders are highly addictive. One of the best options for treating anxiety disorders and panic disorders is a combination of relaxation/cognitive behavior therapy coupled with a non-benzodiazepine drug such as a beta-blocker and/or Bupirone.

Other more addictive drugs such as Ativan (Lorazepam) and Clonopin (Clonazepam) are difficult to use in drug treatment when the person is an addict/alcoholic. Many drug and alcohol rehab centers will not allow their clients to be on these strong drugs while in treatment.

Labels: Anxiety Disorders, Drug Treatment and Anxiety Treatment, Panic Disorders

There are many mood disorders but some are more common than others in drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

Major Depression, one of the most common in drug treatment facilities, is a mood disorder involving excessive sadness, loss of interest in usual activities, thoughts of hopelessness, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Other symptoms may include sleep difficulties, feelings of worthlessness, inability to concentrate, and thoughts about death or suicide.
It is thought that depression is genetic, but there are other possible causes. It is thought that decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala could be responsible for the symptoms of depression. It also seems that there is increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (Area 25).
Monoamine Theory of Depression:
This theory assumes that depression is caused by a lack of seratonin and norepinephrine activity in the synapses of the brain. In postmortem studies it was found that the up-regulation of serotonin and norepinephrine receptors in depressed patients had occurred. Scientists assume that the reason for the up-regulation was because the people lacked serotonin and norepinephrine, which caused the receptors for the neurotransmitters to up-regulate. This is why most of the antidepressants target this phenomenon by acting as agonists.

Cortisol has been linked to depression because an overabundance of stress is related to increased cortisol production and increased cortisol in the blood stream causes the prefrontal cortex to underperform and cause decreased performance of the hippocampus, also linked with depression. Antidepressants actually promote neurogenesis and increase the activity in the hippocampus.
Panic disorders and anxiety disorders are when a person experiences recurring panic attacks, periods of intense fear and feelings of impending doom or death, accompanied by physiological symptoms such as rapid heart, breathing, and sweating. Panic Attacks can last for a few minutes or several hours.

Panic Disorder/Anxiety Disorders are linked to genetics, and a malfunctioning parabrachial nucleus that coordinates signals from the amygdala which in turn is involved in triggering the emotion of fear. It is also thought that there are low levels of GABA contributing to anxiety. GABA is a calming neurotransmitter and usually reduces over-activity in the Central Nervous System.

In addiction treatment we deal with these mood disorders on a daily basis and we have become quite efficient at diagnosing and treating them. With a plethora of medication, cognitive behavior therapy, experiential therapy, and individual counseling and therapy, people with these mood disorders can live normal functioning lives and never have to get worried or sad about being afflicted with them again (pun intended).

Labels: Anxiety Disorders, Biological Aspects of Addiction, Depression, Dual Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis and Drug Rehab, Mood Disorder and Drug Treatment, Panic Disorders