Legacy Healing Center Blog

Learn how to effectively treat benzodiazepine addiction with our help.

Benzodiazepine addiction is serious and benzodiazepine detox must be administered properly for the safety of the person who is addicted. Benzodiazepines are depressants that affect the central nervous system and are usually prescribed to treat insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, as sedation before surgery, to relax muscles, and also to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Prescription benzodiazepines are considered safe when used according to the prescribed dosage. Benzodiazepine addiction occurs when the prescribed drug is abused or bought illicitly on the street.

Benzodiazepines are listed as DEA schedule IV-controlled substances that have the potential for abuse and addiction. Benzodiazepines bought on the street have many names, such as benzos, downers, normies, Xanies, candy, tranks, Vals, and Roofie the date rape drug.

If you or someone you love needs help with addiction, call 954-994-2965 today to speak with a treatment specialist.

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Prescription benzodiazepines are known as Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax, Librium, and Valium. Someone with a mild benzodiazepine use disorder can usually stop on their own, but stopping the drug abruptly can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

A medically supervised benzodiazepine detox process can safely get the user off of the drug. If the addiction is severe, the addict needs professional rehabilitation treatment besides the benzodiazepine detox, to recover from the addiction.

When benzodiazepines are abused, the brain will build up a tolerance to the drug, and will need it to function. The brain will require larger doses of the drug as time goes on, feeding a full-blown benzodiazepine addiction. If the addict stops taking the drug, he will begin to experience the withdrawal symptoms of the drug.

Addiction to benzodiazepines causes dopamine to be released in the brain. Over time, the way the brain naturally releases dopamine will be altered and will become dependent on the use of the drug. Naturally occurring dopamine creates feelings of happiness, but benzodiazepine addicts may be unable to feel happy without using large doses of the drug.

People with mental health issues may try to self-medicate by using benzodiazepines. They may try to escape from negative thoughts and feelings, insomnia, or anxiety. Benzodiazepines give users temporary relief from mental problems, but eventually, they can become addicted to them and have to cope with benzodiazepine addiction symptoms too.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Symptoms

Addiction to benzodiazepines can cause a variety of benzodiazepine addiction symptoms that include:

• Drowsiness or passing out
• Weakness
• Blurred vision
• Mood swings
• Asking others for pills
• Doctor shopping for pills
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Anorexia
• Tremors
• Memory problems
• Engaging in risky behavior
• Inability to stop using
• Impaired coordination
• Blacking out
• Mixing benzodiazepines with other drugs or alcohol
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Coma
• Fatal overdose when mixed with alcohol

Benzodiazepine Detox

Some addicts will try to stop using drugs on their own, but when the uncomfortable withdrawal effects begin, the person will start using again for relief. As we stated earlier, the only safe and effective way to treat benzodiazepine addiction is with a medically supervised benzodiazepine detox at a rehab facility.

Although many benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, the medical staff at a drug rehab center is equipped to treat the symptoms and give the addict some relief during and after the benzodiazepine detox process. Some of the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms that can occur include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Poor concentration
• Sweating
• Sensory distortions
• Heart palpitations
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Irritability
• Anxiety, panic, psychosis
• Agitation
• Tremors, seizures, delirium tremens
• High blood pressure

If you are experiencing benzodiazepine addiction symptoms and want to quit the habit, you should begin a benzodiazepine addiction treatment program at a reputable rehab such as Legacy Healing Center. Our medical and counseling team want to help you take that first step on the road to recovery.

Reach out to us today and call 954-994-2965 to speak with a treatment specialist.