Anxiety and addiction
Anxiety is the single most common reason people give for daily drinking, cannabis use or benzodiazepine dependence. The substances calm the anxiety in the moment and dramatically worsen it between doses — the loop that traps most people.
Key signs
- Constant background worry, or panic attacks
- Using alcohol, weed, benzos or pregabalin to feel 'normal'
- Rebound anxiety in the morning or between doses
- Avoiding work, social events or driving
- Physical symptoms — chest tightness, racing heart, nausea
The link to addiction
Benzodiazepines, pregabalin, gabapentin and alcohol all treat anxiety in the short term and worsen it long term. Stopping any of them (especially benzos and alcohol) rebounds anxiety hard — supervised detox is safer.
UK treatment pathway
Effective UK treatment usually combines a supervised taper (if benzos/alcohol/pregabalin are involved), CBT for anxiety, and — for many — a non-addictive medication such as an SSRI. Never try to detox from benzos or alcohol alone.
FAQs
Will my anxiety get worse when I stop?
In the first weeks, usually yes — this is rebound anxiety, not your baseline. For most people it settles within 4–8 weeks. Anyone stopping benzos, pregabalin or heavy alcohol needs medical supervision because the rebound can be severe.
Are there non-addictive medications for anxiety?
Yes. SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram), SNRIs (venlafaxine), buspirone and propranolol are all standard non-addictive options. UK guidelines steer clear of long-term benzos precisely because of dependence.
Does CBT actually work for anxiety?
It's the most evidence-based talking therapy for anxiety disorders, with response rates around 60–70% when done properly. IAPT (NHS Talking Therapies) offers free CBT in every UK area, usually within 4–8 weeks of self-referral.
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