The trade name for buspirone, Buspar is an anomaly of the anti-anxiety medications as it is not chemically or pharmacologically related to benzodiazepines, barbiturates or sedative drugs. Instead, it activates Serotonin and acts on Dopamine receptors in the brain. Instead, Buspar is part of the azaspirodecanedione class of compounds and is often promoted as non-sedative, non-addictive and relatively safe. In addition to the treatment of anxiety disorders, Buspar is also used to address the short-term relief of fear, tension, irritability, dizziness, pounding heartbeat and other physical purposes. In addition to Buspar, buspirone is also available as Ansial, Ansiced, Anxiron, Axoren, Bespar, Buspimen, Buspinol, Buspiron, Buspisal, Narol, Spamilan, Spitomin and Sorbon.
Abuses of Buspar
Numerous reports suggest that because Buspar is not a benzodiazepine, it is not habit forming and patients do not develop a tolerance for the drug. Some industry experts, including physicians, disagree. They argue that like all minor tranquilizers, Buspar is habit forming and addictive. As a result, the drug can cause life-threatening neurological reactions.
Effects of Buspar
Patients prescribed Buspar may find they have to take the medication for several weeks before its anxiolytic effects become noticeable. Some patients also require higher doses, ensuring more of the medication is in an individual’s system for longer periods of time. This is one area where Buspar differs greatly from benzodiazepines as they offer an immediate anxiolytic effect. Even if an individual has not yet recognized the benefits of the medication in treating anxiety, other effects can immediately occur, such as dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, nausea, nervousness, unusual excitement, anger/hostility, blurred vision, bone pain, confusion, constipation, decreased concentration, depression, diarrhea, fluttery heartbeat, in-coordination, muscle pain, rash, restlessness, stomach and abdominal upset, sweating/clamminess, tremor, urinary incontinence, vomiting and weakness.
Withdrawal of Buspar
Buspar can cause difficult withdrawal symptoms when it is abruptly discontinued. As a result, an individual will often continue taking the drug, even if they no longer desire the euphoria or even the relief of anxiety they once achieved. The withdrawal process can be both hard and painful and can even cause serious damage to internal organs, especially if cessation is unsupervised. Withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation of Buspar can include, but are not limited to:
- Aches and pains
- Agoraphobia
- Anxiety
- Blurred Vision
- Body Vibrations
- Diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Food members
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Heavy limbs
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Loss of balance
- Metallic taste
- Muscle spasms
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
- Suicidal thoughts
Treatment of Buspar Addiction
As Buspar is a drug that is taken for long periods of time, even if a person has not developed a physiological dependence on the drug, they will likely develop a psychological dependence, requiring assistance in the discontinuation. If the drug is taken for recreational purposes, both psychological and physiological dependence can occur. When this happens, it is recommended that users taper off the medication slowly under the care of a board-certified physician and board-certified addiction psychiatrist. Entering a center for 24/7 comfortable detox treatment will ensure the individual rids their body of the drug completely, learning to function without it. This method is used to correct the chemical imbalances and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care to address cravings for the drug.