
It is Alarming How Easily Benzodiazepine Addiction Can Occur
Physicians prescribe benzodiazepines often in the United States today for a number of anxiety disorders. And, many individuals abuse these drugs resulting in benzodiazepine addiction. One reason that benzodiazepines are so highly addictive is that people develop a tolerance to the drugs so quickly.
What are Benzodiazepines?
It should be noted, individuals who seek help for anxiety or insomnia from physicians usually receive a prescription for some type of benzodiazepine. The benzodiazepines that are most familiar to people are Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Also, doctors prescribe these drugs for seizures and drug or alcohol withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, relax the body and promote sleep. They affect the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain causing the activity in the central nervous system and brain to slow promoting relaxation.
How Does Benzodiazepine Addiction Happen?
Once a person takes benzodiazepines for a period of time, they develop a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance means that the drug no longer affects the body as it did previously. Therefore, it takes more of the substance to produce the effects as it did before. As a result, individuals start taking higher doses of the drug or taking it more often than prescribed. At this time, they go from use to abuse of the medication.
Abusing benzodiazepines leads to dependence on the drug. Once dependent on a drug, individuals will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug all at once. Many times individuals keep taking benzodiazepines even if they have to obtain them illegally to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.
- Anxiety and irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Rapid heart rate
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Hyperventilation
- Goosebumps
- Seizures
In addition to these symptoms, you may also feel as if your skin is crawling or have feelings of unreality, even hallucinations. Clearly, benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous and even life-threatening. There is no set time period to experience these withdrawal symptoms. It is different for different individuals, much depending on how long and how much of the drug you are using.
Struggling with Benzodiazepine Addiction
When a person struggling with benzodiazepine addiction combines this substance with another central nervous system depressant such as alcohol, it increases the chance of an overdose, oftentimes lethal. The heart rate slows so much that it will eventually completely stop. Sadly, many benzodiazepine addicts do mix alcohol with these drugs frequently.
Cognitive function and the effects on the brain make it very hard for individuals to stop abusing benzodiazepines.
- Needing more of the drug to achieve the desired effect
- “Doctor shopping” (going to different doctors trying to get prescriptions)
- Craving benzodiazepines or showing withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Stealing pills from family members or friends
- Buying benzodiazepines illegally on the streets
- Neglecting responsibilities and obligations at home or work
Importantly, if you have any of these signs of benzodiazepine addiction, seek help from a professional addiction treatment facility.
Contact New Beginnings Recovery
To learn about detoxification and addiction treatment programs that can help you return to a life without benzodiazepine addiction contact New Beginnings Recovery. One of our representatives can answer any questions you may have about the many different treatment programs that we offer. We can design a program that will fit your individual needs and preferences. Contact us today and leave your addiction behind.
- webmd.com – Benzodiazepine Abuse
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