The Addiction Research
Topics
- Substance dependence
- Non-substance addiction
- Psychiatric comorbidity
- Somatic comorbidity
- Women’s / Men’s Health
- Sponsors
Topic: Substance dependence
Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are synthetic drugs that are intended to reduce anxiety and help people with sleeping problems. Benzodiazepines are the most common.Unfortunenately, they are often too easily prescribed. Women tend to take tranquilizers more than men.
Research has suggested that physical dependence on tranquilizers occurs even with a medically prescribed dose, as the patient's body adapts to the presence of the medication. This is demonstrated when a patient suddenly stops taking a prescribed tranquilizer and withdrawal symptoms occur. These symptoms can be unpleasant and long-lasting. They include an inability to sleep, sweating, anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea and sometimes convulsions and mental confusion.