When you hear the phrase “drug addiction,” what comes to mind? Dealers on a dark street corner? Small bags of illegal drugs? What about a small prescription bottle purchased at your local pharmacy? Benzodiazepines (“benzos”) are prescription drugs often used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and insomnia. Before you or a loved one relies on benzos for an extended period of time, take the time to consider the dangers of addiction. Although the substance is legal, the risks can be just as dangerous as those associated with drugs distributed illegally.
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines (“benzos”) are prescription drugs often used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and insomnia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines (“benzos”) are central nervous system depressants that relax muscles, reduce anxiety, and promote sedation. They can be prescribed for anxiety, panic attacks, stress, insomnia, seizures, and muscle tension. They can be ultra short-acting (Versed and Halcion), short-acting (Ativan and Xanax), or long-acting (Librium and Valium).
Benzos are available by prescription, so unlike many illegal drugs, it is possible to use these safely. How do you know you’ve crossed the line into abusing benzos? Well, benzos are meant to be a short-term solution, so frequent and long-term use can be a sign of abuse. Other signs include taking benzos purely to experience the sedating effects (especially without a prescription) or combining benzos with alcohol or other medications.
Combining benzos with drugs or alcohol puts the user at risk of overdose or serious harm. Drug abuse also increases the risk of dependency and addiction. Ironically, chronic abuse can cause some of the same problems benzos are frequently used to treat, such as insomnia and anxiety.
If you are wondering if your loved one is abusing benzos, there are certain symptoms you can look out for, including:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Instability while walking
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Poor coordination
- Hostility
- Irritability
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Difficult breathing
- Coma
If your loved one is exhibiting signs of benzo abuse, call Hawaiian Island Recovery today.
If you or a loved one is addicted to benzos, there is a chemical dependency that has occurred. Trying to quit benzos cold turkey can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Irratability
- Emotional outbursts
- Memory loss
- Body aches
- Muscle soreness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
Medically supervised detox allows you or your loved one to slowly and safely reduce benzo use, minimizing these painful symptoms and increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery.
How Hawaii Island Recovery Can Help You Recover from Benzodiazepine Addiction
At Hawaii Island Recovery, recovery from benzo addiction begins with a medically supervised detox. This will minimize withdrawal symptoms and support a safe and successful start to recovery. Then, you or your loved one will benefit from our multi-disciplinary, integrative treatment approach. We combine the most effective evidence-based interventions (such as CBT and EMDR) with experiential and holistic therapies (such as dolphin assisted therapy and massage). These therapies are administered within the framework of a 12-step program to give you or your loved ones the tools you need for a full and lasting recovery.