3 Non-Addictive Anxiety Medications

When dealing with anxiety, finding the right treatment can help you manage your symptoms while improving your well-being, mental health, and overall quality of life. Fortunately, there are several treatments for anxiety disorders, with medication being a common option.

Before starting one though, it’s normal to worry and wonder about side effects of anxiety medications. As with any medication, some people do experience adverse effects — one of the most concerning being addiction. While everyone reacts to anti-anxiety medication differently, developing dependence is a possibility. 

Particularly if you have a history of substance use disorder, it’s essential to find non-addictive treatments. The good news is that there are options out there. Ahead, we’ll cover non-addictive anxiety medication options for anyone looking for relief from anxiety symptoms.

A healthcare provider or mental health professional can help determine whether your anxiety is simply run-of-the-mill nervousness or a more severe condition impacting your daily life that could benefit from medication as part of your treatment plan.

It's important to note that no anxiety medications are without risk of adverse effects, but while some can be habit-forming, others are not. Below are non-addictive anxiety medications that can help with managing symptoms of anxiety.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are among the most common types of antidepressants prescribed to treat anxiety. They work by increasing the “feel-good” chemical serotonin in your brain and body. This is generally a long-term treatment, as antidepressants can take several weeks to start improving symptoms.

SSRIs used for anxiety include:

• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

• Escitalopram (Lexapro®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil®)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®)

• Citalopram (Celexa®)

A review of research on antidepressant addiction found no evidence that antidepressants are addictive. Still, there is a risk of withdrawal symptoms, as well as the potential for anxiety to come back.

While SSRIs are tolerated well by most people, they can still produce side effects. Some common side effects of SSRIs include:

• Dry mouth

• Nausea

• Muscle weakness

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Lowered sex drive

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

These are another type of antidepressant used to treat anxiety. SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs, although they target multiple brain chemicals, specifically, norepinephrine and serotonin.

SNRIs commonly prescribed to treat anxiety include venlafaxine (Effexor®) and duloxetine (Cymbalta®).

SNRIs have similar side effects to SSRIs. Some may also increase blood pressure, headaches, and sweating.

Beta-Blockers

While beta-blockers are commonly used to manage heart conditions, they are also sometimes prescribed “off-label” to treat physical symptoms of anxiety. Two examples of beta-blockers prescribed for anxiety are propranolol and atenolol.

Beta-blockers work by blocking epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), a hormone responsible for your fight-or-flight response. Blocking adrenaline helps slow your heartbeat and improve blood flow throughout the body.

These drugs can be particularly helpful for performance anxiety, such as during public speaking or presentations, as they provide short-term results. Unlike antidepressants, however, beta-blockers aren’t usually prescribed as a long-term, ongoing anxiety treatment. It’s important to note that they only reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, trembling, and palpitations. Unlike SSRIs and SNRIs, they don’t reduce the psychological experience of anxiety.

Buspirone

Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication often used to treat generalized anxiety disorders. It doesn’t seem to be effective for other types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety disorder. It relieves anxiety by stimulating certain serotonin receptors in the brain.

Buspirone is not as sedating as other anxiety medications. It doesn’t impair memory or coordination, and it tends to have minimal withdrawal effects. Further, buspirone has a low risk of dependence.

Still, it can have side effects. Common side effects of buspirone use include:

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Weight gain

• Constipation

• Dry mouth

Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that works by blocking histamine production, so it’s primarily used to treat allergy symptoms. Researchers aren’t totally sure how it treats anxiety, but it functions as a sedative and may also impact serotonin levels. 

As a result, it’s also prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorders.

Because it is a type of sedative, hydroxyzine often makes people feel drowsy. However, it isn’t considered habit-forming.

While medication may be an appealing option, there are other anxiety treatments to consider. Here are some other effective ways to reduce anxiety symptoms:

• Exercise: Physical activity lowers anxiety, reduces stress, improves mood, and provides sustained health benefits, making it good for mental health disorders and other health conditions alike. Regular movement can also distract you from things that cause you to feel anxious. Exercise doesn’t have to be super intense, but you should try to achieve the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) recommended 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week.

• Meditation: Meditation is another way to relax and reduce stress. It has a long history of increasing calmness, improving psychological balance, and enhancing overall health and well-being. One study found that mindfulness meditation may benefit people with generalized anxiety disorder. If you’re new to meditation, this guide on how to meditate can help you get started.

• Identifying anxiety triggers: Recognizing the specific things that make you anxious, such as crowded rooms or public performances, can help you avoid known triggers or develop strategies for coping in situations that make you feel anxious. Some types of therapy can also teach you how to identify anxiety triggers.

• Psychotherapy: Therapy is a common treatment for anxiety, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to exposure therapy used to treat anxiety disorders. CBT can be an especially effective long-term treatment for anxiety.

One of the most commonly prescribed classes of anti-anxiety medications is benzodiazepines, as they can provide effective and quick relief for many people. They function by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calmer. 

Some examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), diazepam (Valium®), and lorazepam (Ativan®).

Benzodiazepines, however, are typically only used as a short-term treatment. That’s because long-term use significantly increases the potential for tolerance, dependence, and serious side effects.

Beyond the potential for addiction, common side effects of benzodiazepines include:

• Drowsiness

• Confusion

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Shallow breathing

The symptoms of anxiety can feel really overwhelming. And it’s valid to both want treatment while being concerned about the risk of addiction. The good news is that there are many ways to treat anxiety with non-addictive anxiety medication.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• All anxiety medications carry a risk of adverse effects, but some are less habit-forming than others. For instance, SSRIs, SNRIs, beta-blockers, buspirone, and hydroxyzine are all prescribed to treat anxiety, and they aren’t habit-forming like  benzodiazepines.

• There’s no one-size-fits-all “best” anxiety medication for everyone. Your healthcare provider will examine your symptoms, severity, and other factors — like what type of anxiety disorder you may have — before selecting a medication that suits your unique needs. Regardless of which medication you choose, consult with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience, and also let them know how your anxiety symptoms are doing. This will help them offer more tailored medical advice and help you deal with fewer side effects.

• Medication isn’t the only treatment option for anxiety. Other ways to help manage anxiety include through therapy, meditation, and exercise. You can try these options on their own or in conjunction with anxiety medication.

Ready to take the next step? You can also consult with a psychiatrist through our online mental health services to discuss your symptoms and learn more about anxiety treatment options, including if an anxiety medication is right for you.