People abuse drugs of all kinds. Besides opioids, benzodiazepines (benzos) are some of the most abused prescription drugs. There are many drugs in the benzo category, including Librium and Xanax. Let’s take a closer look at Librium vs Xanax to see if one is worse than the other.
Learn more about Xanax Addiction Treatment in Portland. Call us today at 866.262.0531.
The Battle of the Benzos: Librium vs Xanax
Before directly comparing these two drugs, let’s take a closer look at each one. Librium is a short-term use benzo that doctors prescribe to treat epilepsy and seizures. In some cases, they use it to treat acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They don’t, however, prescribe it for long periods because it has a high potential for abuse.
However, Xanax is the benzo that doctors prescribe most often. Most of them prescribe it to help people who suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. In some rare cases, they prescribe it to cancer patients to treat nausea. Likewise, doctors also find Xanax helpful for treating depression and agoraphobia.
Many Differences Between Librium and Xanax
Since both of these drugs are benzos and have the potential for abuse, what’s the most significant difference between them? While they have a lot of similarities, their differences spark the debate between Librium vs Xanax.
The biggest difference is why doctors prescribe each drug. Most of the time, they use Librium to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, they almost always use Xanax to address anxiety.
Librium is different from other benzos, including Xanax, because it works slower. While all benzos work on the central nervous system, Librium takes longer to take effect. As a result, its half-life is between 24 and 48 hours. It also doesn’t reach a peak for several hours after people take it.
By comparison, Xanax only has a half-life of about six to 20 hours depending on the person. Doctors consider it a short- to intermediate-acting benzo. However, its quick-acting effects are the reason why people abuse Xanax more than Librium. The slow release of Librium makes it a poor choice for those who want to get high.
Lastly, the doses that people take of these two drugs are different. In general, their dose of Librium is usually higher than Xanax. For Librium, the dosing range is from 5 to 25 milligrams. For Xanax, the doses start at just 0.25 milligrams and stop at 2 milligrams.
We Can Help You With Benzo Addiction
In the battle between Librium vs Xanax, neither one is a winner. Both drugs are addictive and can cause dependency. Because of that, our staff at Crestview Recovery works hard to help you overcome benzo drug addiction. A Xanax and Librium addiction treatment program might include services such as:
- Partial hospitalization program: This is a more intensive level of care than traditional outpatient therapy. It’s designed for people who need structure and support but don’t require 24-hour care.
- Group counseling: Provides support and accountability in a safe and supportive environment. It can be helpful to hear from others who are going through similar experiences.
- Intensive outpatient program: This program provides many of the same services as partial hospitalization, but on a less frequent basis. It can be a good option for people who have completed a residential program or for those who can’t commit to full-time treatment.
- Individual therapy: This is a key component of any addiction treatment program. It can help you address the underlying causes of your addiction and develop healthy coping strategies.
- Aftercare: This is a vital part of any addiction treatment program. It can help you stay on track after you finish treatment and prevent relapse.
Learn more about the ongoing battle between Librium vs Xanax. Remember that no matter which drug wins, the potential for abuse is still there. Reach out to us at 866.262.0531 for help fighting addiction to either one of these benzos.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
