It's exactly what we're talking about. I think there's been a reluctance, particularly by the medical profession, to feel that a drug they're prescribing actually can result in addiction. But there's no question that the dynamics in the brain are similar to.... In fact, researchers with some very good reputations have done comparisons, for example, of Effexor, a very common antidepressant, with other drugs such as cocaine. These drugs affect the structure of the neurons. They affect the neurotransmitters and we don't know a lot about how, as the brain is very complex.
But over a period of time, and it can be a very short time.... Benzodiazepines, in my opinion, should only be used for a period of less than a week. Over a period of time, even a short time, a person either will need a higher dose of the drug for the same effect or will start exhibiting symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, or panic, depending on the drug, symptoms that are indicative of addiction. We call that phenomenon “between dose withdrawal”. I have many individuals who come to me and say that they just don't know what's happening to them, that they're taking a drug for anxiety and having panic attacks. The first thing I look at is how long they have been on the drug and what drug they are taking.
You're absolutely right: “addiction” is the word we should use.