Controlled Substances Require Close Monitoring and Frequent Follow-Ups.
You will be required to be seen in person. Our office does require random drug screening.
Medication Safety
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Are Benzodiazepines Safe?
Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan) and Benzodiazepine-like sleep aids (Ambien) are depressant medications. This means they cause sedation, slowed reaction time, and worst case scenario compromise breathing (slowing it down so much that it stops). Because these medications slow down the nervous system, they are often used to treat acute panic attacks or extreme anxiety. Sometimes they are used in severe cases of insomnia. This class of medications is HIGHLY addictive. They are not indicated for long term use, and the recommendation is no longer than 1 month. Long term use of benzodiazepines comes with many potential risks such as addiction, abuse, cognitive decline, dementia, memory loss, and increased risk of death. Benzodiazepines or any sleep aid should NEVER be taken with another sedating medication or alcohol. If you use these medications you may also experience “rebound anxiety and rebound insomnia” where the anxiety, panic, and/or insomnia is even more extreme than when you even began the medication. This can lead to the addiction and dependance cycle.
According to the American Family Physician “The risk of driving while on benzodiazepines is about the same as the risk of driving with a blood alcohol level between 0.050% and 0.079% (an alcohol level greater than 0.08% is illegal in all states)”
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Are Stimulants Safe?
Stimulant medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) are medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. In some cases, they are also used to treat narcolepsy or binge eating disorder.
ADHD is the most common indication for stimulant prescribing. ADHD is a NEURODEVELOPMENTAL disorder. This means that symptoms had to appear in childhood (before the age of 12 years).
Stimulant use in adults:
Many adults are presenting with symptoms of ADHD, and often times they struggled as a child and the diagnosis was missed or overlooked. Treatment can be life-changing. But….stimulant use does not come without risks.
Stimulants are habit-forming (addictive) and also raise your heart rate and blood pressure. You may be asked to try other non-stimulant medications first, depending on your risk factors.
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Benzodiazepine Links: