We do provide sedative hypnotics (Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Ambien) and stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall) when needed, but only as a last resort, and only in the context of strict abstinence from heavy alcohol use and recreational drugs (marijuana, cocaine). Please note that patients at Cantera will only be placed on one scheduled substance (see above), at the lowest dose possible. Sedative/hypnotics are like cough syrup for pneumonia: You feel better for a bit, but it doesn’t fix anything. We provide the psychiatric “antibiotics” like SSRIs and mood stabilizers. If you are on many DEA scheduled substances and/or at maximum doses, we may not be the right practice for you.
If you are on a benzodiazepine, have you considered what life might be like without it? Does it feel like anxiety can’t be controlled without it, or that there are no other medications which work for anxiety? Are you comfortable taking a benzodiazepine for a long time because it’s “low dose”, or because there don’t seem to be any side effects? If these are questions you’ve had, I encourage you to read the brochure below.