Promises, Promises

Anxious? Struggling to sleep? You’re not alone. Anxiety and insomnia have been around for centuries, long before modern life came with its own set of stresses. For just as long, the pharmaceutical industry has stepped in, promising a quick fix. Each time, the claim is the same: safe, effective relief. But the reality is different — history is filled with stories of addiction, unexpected consequences, and a never-ending cycle of new pills that promise to solve it all.

From Barbiturates to Miltown
In the early 1900s, barbiturates were considered the go-to treatment for anxiety and insomnia. By the 1950s, they were everywhere — doctors prescribed them freely, and patients took them to relax. But there was a dark side: barbiturates were addictive and incredibly easy to overdose on. The quest for a safer alternative began.

In 1955, Miltown made its debut. Dubbed the first “chill pill,” it promised to ease anxiety without completely knocking people out. By 1956, one in 20 Americans was using it. But as with barbiturates, the effects wore off over time, and people needed higher doses to get the same calming effect. Dependence quickly became a problem. The industry saw an opportunity: if Miltown wasn’t the solution, surely there was something better out there.

An Accidental Discovery
Leo Sternbach, a chemist at Hoffmann-La Roche in New Jersey, had a simple mission: create a better anxiety drug that didn’t cause the grogginess of Miltown. After years of failed experiments, his boss told him to move on.

But fate had other plans. While cleaning up his lab, a colleague stumbled upon old compounds from his previous experiments. Rather than tossing them out, Sternbach decided to tweak the formula. The result? A drug that calmed test animals without knocking them out. This breakthrough led to Librium in 1960 and, just a few years later, Valium.

Valium: “Mother’s Little Helper”
From 1969 to 1982, Valium reigned as America’s most prescribed drug. It earned the nickname “Mother’s Little Helper,” thanks to the Rolling Stones’ hit song. A drug that promised to fix anxiety without the dangers of barbiturates, Valium quickly became a household staple. Doctors handed it out generously, and patients experienced its calming effects. But by the 1970s, cracks began to show. People started to notice dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and an inability to stop taking the drug.

Instead of addressing the issue, the pharmaceutical industry moved on to the next big thing: Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. Marketed as “new and improved,” benzodiazepines, these drugs promised faster relief and greater safety. But there was a catch — they were even more potent. Just 1 milligram of Xanax or Klonopin was equivalent to 20 milligrams of Valium. In 1979, Senator Ted Kennedy led a hearing on benzodiazepine addiction, but the industry shifted the blame. Valium became the scapegoat, and the newer drugs were marketed as the solution. The cycle of addiction and the search for a wonder pill continued.

The Same Old Promise?
Fast forward to today, and benzodiazepines like Xanax are still widely prescribed — and just as widely misused. As of 2023, over 24 million Americans were taking Xanax or similar medications. While these drugs may provide short-term relief, their addictive nature and harsh withdrawal symptoms can’t be ignored. Going cold turkey from Xanax can be life-threatening.

From barbiturates to benzodiazepines, every generation has been sold a “better” solution for anxiety. But each new drug carries its own set of risks, often only understood too late. Millions fall into dependence, while the pharmaceutical industry is ready to offer the next pill. So, before you reach for the latest “miracle” drug, take a moment to consider: is the drug company’s promise true this time? Or is this just the latest chapter in a never-ending cycle of broken promises?

Happy reading,

Suzanne Daniels

Enjoy the weekend!

Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]