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Benzo Addiction: Causes and Treatment
Benzodiazepines, a class of medications renowned for their calming effects on the central nervous system, play a vital role in the treatment of various medical conditions. People often turn to these medications as they are valuable in reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders and easing alcohol withdrawal.
However, long-term use can lead to adverse side effects, impacting memory and leading to addiction. That is why it is crucial to weigh the benefits against potential risks. Various types of holistic addiction treatment programs are available to help individuals struggling with benzodiazepine addiction and dependence.
Treatment Services
Treatment services at the Recovery Team cater to benzodiazepine addiction. Inpatient programs offer comprehensive care. Healthcare professionals, in this level of care, provide medical advice and support for patients, requiring close monitoring and a structured environment.
The intensive outpatient program offers similar therapy and support but allows individuals to reside at home while attending therapy sessions. An outpatient program provides flexibility, enabling patients to continue daily routines while receiving treatment. The primary goal of treatment services is to address addiction effectively by managing withdrawal symptoms and promoting recovery.
Key Takeaways
Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety but cause adverse effects when users misuse them, including addiction risks. Here’s what you need to know:
- Benzodiazepine addiction can lead to behavioral and psychological symptoms, impacting an individual’s well-being.
- Recognizing the signs of addiction is crucial for early intervention and seeking professional help.
- Understanding the physical and psychological effects of benzodiazepine use is vital for responsible use.
- Treatment for benzodiazepine addiction typically involves medical detox, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, and aftercare.
Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines, a class of drugs often prescribed for short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or panic disorders, can lead to a range of behavioral and psychological signs when misused or abused.
Here are the behavioral symptoms associated with benzodiazepine addiction that you should know:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Breathing problems
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Anorexia
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
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Causes of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepine addiction can stem from various causes, often rooted in patterns of use and external influences. Understanding these aspects is essential to address the issue effectively.
Benzodiazepines, frequently prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders, can be misused or taken recreationally. Some individuals seek the sedative effects, often at high doses, which escalates the risk of addiction. The availability of different benzodiazepines contributes to misuse diversity.
People may self-medicate using benzodiazepines to alleviate symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, or stress. They may not realize the potential risks of prolonged use, as these medicines are initially intended for short-term treatment.
Social circles and peer pressure can play a significant role in benzodiazepine addiction. Individuals might start using these substances due to influences within their social networks, increasing the likelihood of developing an addiction.
Risk Factors for Benzodiazepine Addiction
Various factors, including personal history, genetics, and trauma, influence benzodiazepine addiction risk. Recognizing these risk factors is essential for prevention and early intervention.
Personal History: Individuals with a history of substance abuse are at higher risk of developing benzodiazepine addiction. Prior addiction experiences can make it more challenging to use benzodiazepines responsibly.
Genetic Predisposition: Genetic factors can contribute to susceptibility. Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition that makes them more vulnerable to addiction when exposed to benzodiazepines.
Trauma and Stress: Experiencing trauma or high levels of stress may lead some individuals to use benzodiazepines as a coping mechanism. That can result in long-term use of benzodiazepines, increasing the risk of addiction, especially among those dealing with unresolved trauma.
Effects of Benzodiazepine Use
Benzodiazepines, a class of central nervous system depressants, have both physical and psychological effects on the body. The outcomes vary based on dosage, duration of use, and individual differences.
Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, resulting in sedation. This effect is particularly evident in the short-term use of these medications, aiding in medical procedures or acute anxiety relief.
However, misuse of this drug may lead to headaches or migraines. Complications in the digestive system, such as constipation or diarrhea, may occur in some individuals. This class of medication can also cause dizziness and drowsiness, affecting an individual’s ability to perform tasks requiring focus and alertness.
In some cases, especially with high doses or in elderly patients, benzodiazepines can lead to respiratory depression, a potentially life-threatening effect. When combined with other central nervous system depressants, such as opioids or alcohol, benzodiazepines can heighten the risk of overdose. Naloxone is sometimes used to counteract opioid overdose.
Benzodiazepines are infamous for their potential to cause unwanted behavior. That can result in risky actions that individuals might not engage in when sober, such as taking a benzodiazepine with alcohol.
A significant behavioral effect is persisting in benzodiazepine use even when harmful consequences, such as adverse side effects or personal issues, arise. The behavioral effects of benzodiazepine use can vary from person to person, depending on factors like dosage, frequency of use, and individual susceptibility.
Psychological Effects: Benzodiazepines can lead to mood changes, with some individuals experiencing a sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety. However, they may also exacerbate mental health issues, especially in long-term or high-dose use. Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can result in cognitive decline, affecting memory and concentration.
Psychological effects also include the risk of developing dependence, as some individuals may misuse or become addicted to these drugs. Combining benzodiazepines with other substances or medications, such as antidepressants, can lead to the development of mental illnesses such as panic disorder or depression.
Get Your Questions Answered
Navigating the journey to recovery can bring up many questions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our services. If you need more information or have additional questions, we are only a phone call away.
Benzos are highly addictive because the body and brain quickly develop tolerance, requiring higher amounts to have the same effect. Long-term use of benzodiazepine trains the body to rely on external relaxation methods.
Hence, patients become progressively tight and irritable with the lack of regular dosages and psychologically dependent on this simple means of stress release.
Furthermore, most benzo usage includes prescription drugs, and it is psychologically simpler to justify the misuse of a doctor-approved substance.
Withdrawing off benzos can be a very tough and perhaps risky procedure. For several weeks, you should anticipate feeling nervous and on edge. You may become angry and hypersensitive to your surroundings.
Insomnia is also rather prevalent. Physical symptoms like headaches and sweaty palms may also occur within the first week.
When people who have been using benzos for more than six months suddenly stop, around 40 percent have moderate to severe withdrawal signs. The remaining 60 percent have minor symptoms.
Source: Hood, S. D., Norman, A., Hince, D. A., Melichar, J. K., & Hulse, G. K. (2014). Benzodiazepine dependence and its treatment with low dose flumazenil. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(2), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.12023
Benzodiazepines relieve anxiety by influencing the body’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.
Benzodiazepines help GABA connect to receptors throughout the brain and spinal cord, causing an excessively stimulated central nervous system to quiet down and promote sensations of relaxation.
This can create tolerance over time with continued use. Two things can then happen: a person takes more benzodiazepines to obtain the same desired effect, or there is a noticeably decreased impact with continuing use of the same dose of benzos.
Tolerance can contribute to the development of benzodiazepine physiological dependency.
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