Benzodiazepines
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Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines are highly addictive prescription tranquilizers prescribed to help people manage the symptoms of panic disorders, anxiety disorders, seizures, muscle relaxation problems, insomnia, and other conditions. Benzodiazepines, or “benzos” for short, are classified based on how long their effects last, which can be either short-acting or long-acting.
One of the reasons why benzodiazepine addiction has become so common has to do with the steadily rising number of prescriptions written by doctors. Between 1996 and 2013, prescriptions for benzos increased by 67 percent, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million per year.
Risk Factors for Benzodiazepine Addiction
A study found that, among popular prescription medications, benzodiazepines were associated with the greatest risk of early death. Additionally, people who take benzodiazepines for at least six months—under a doctor’s orders or recreationally—have an 84% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
These drugs act on the central nervous system and produce sedation and muscle relaxation effects that can help lower anxiety levels. Death by benzo abuse alone is uncommon, but these drugs can be combined with alcohol, which makes them dangerous and lethal.
It’s also common for users to combine benzos and opioids, like heroin. Taking both drugs at the same time can be very unsafe because they each have sedative properties that can cause breathing to slow, which is the main cause of overdose fatality. In 2015, 23% of people who died as a result of an opioid overdose also had benzodiazepines in their system.
Most benzos come in pill form, and some users will crush and snort the pills to feel the effects more quickly than swallowing the pill. However, snorting benzos increases the risk of overdose because it enters the bloodstream so quickly.
Why Is Detox Needed For Benzo Withdrawals?
Withdrawal time varies depending on the type of benzo that was being used. A short-acting drug, such as Xanax, has a shorter withdrawal period that can last around seven days. Valium abuse can have withdrawal symptoms that last up to ninety days.
Quitting benzos cold turkey and without professional supervision is not recommended. When the level of medication becomes too low in the body, the possibility of withdrawal seizures exists. A slow taper detox supervised by a medical doctor is necessary to avoid harsh withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off benzos will usually involve a doctor prescribing a smaller amount of the drug over time or prescribing a different one that is less potent.
Symptoms of withdrawal from benzos can include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Muscle pain and tremors
- Difficulty sleeping
- Heart palpitations
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic
- Difficulty concentrating
- Cravings for the drug
A detox program offers people medical and psychological support during the process of detoxification. This not only provides a safer, more comfortable way to detox but gives the person a greater chance of avoiding relapse as they move through the stages of recovery.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment At Launch Centers
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzo abuse, take our short online quiz to determine if you have an addiction. At Launch Centers, we’re committed to helping our clients overcome their substance abuse issues while helping them build important life skills outside of treatment.
Contact Launch Centers today and speak to one of our helpful admissions team members to find out how we can help you heal.
