Alprazolam is known for being effective against depression; it and its close cousin (don't quite recall the name) have been studied and have been found to be just as effective as at least one "typical" antidepressant for depression.
This provides a mechanism for benzodiazepine-induced depression while furthering hatrix's point that the anxiolytic effects are maintained, but many anecdotes suggest otherwise on this latter point:http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/242201/reload=0
GABA is clearly an inhibitory neurotransmitter; I don't have to reference my psychology textbook to prove that one. What you probably experience as stimulation from alcohol is a result of glutamergic/dopaminergic action.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v336/n6195/abs/336170a0.html
As an anecdote, I took alprazolam once weekly, then I needed it twice weekly, then every other day, then by the time I quit I went into severe psychological (and pretty bad physical) withdrawal. Not everyone can take it sparingly so.
This provides a mechanism for benzodiazepine-induced depression while furthering hatrix's point that the anxiolytic effects are maintained, but many anecdotes suggest otherwise on this latter point:http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/242201/reload=0
GABA is clearly an inhibitory neurotransmitter; I don't have to reference my psychology textbook to prove that one. What you probably experience as stimulation from alcohol is a result of glutamergic/dopaminergic action.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v336/n6195/abs/336170a0.html
As an anecdote, I took alprazolam once weekly, then I needed it twice weekly, then every other day, then by the time I quit I went into severe psychological (and pretty bad physical) withdrawal. Not everyone can take it sparingly so.
