MISSISSIPPI BENZODIAZEPINE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB
Benzodiazepines can be important prescription medications to treat anxiety, seizures, and other mental health issues, but they can also be addictive substances with a high potential for abuse, addiction, and life-threatening health risks. This is especially true if benzodiazepines are abused in combination with other medications or substances, such as alcohol or opioids.
At Extra Mile Recovery, we believe that the path to addiction recovery starts with understanding the problem. Below, you can learn what benzodiazepines are, the signs and risks of abuse, symptoms of withdrawal, and how our substance abuse rehab program in Mississippi can help you or a loved one overcome benzodiazepine addiction in order to lead a healthier, happier life.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are used medically to suppress the central nervous system. They raise the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that inhibits activity in central nervous system. This sedative effect is what makes these drugs capable of treating conditions linked to hyperactive nervous system activity — panic disorders, seizures, and anxiety are commonly treated with benzos.
While benzodiazepines aren’t as addictive as some other prescription drugs — such as opioid pain medications — they still have a high risk for abuse and in some cases can cause the user to experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous when used with other substances, like alcohol. Both alcohol and benzos work on the same part of the central nervous system, stimulating high levels of GABA. Increases in GABA can slow down heart and respiratory function, so when alcohol and benzos are used in combination, the outcome can be deadly.
Benzodiazepines can also enhance the high brought on by opioids, and increase the risk and severity of overdose: in 2015, almost 1 in 4 people who died from an opioid overdose had benzodiazepines in their system as well. [1]
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are used medically to suppress the central nervous system. They raise the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that inhibits activity in central nervous system. This sedative effect is what makes these drugs capable of treating conditions linked to hyperactive nervous system activity — panic disorders, seizures, and anxiety are commonly treated with benzos.
While benzodiazepines aren’t as addictive as some other prescription drugs — such as opioid pain medications — they still have a high risk for abuse and in some cases can cause the user to experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous when used with other substances, like alcohol. Both alcohol and benzos work on the same part of the central nervous system, stimulating high levels of GABA. Increases in GABA can slow down heart and respiratory function, so when alcohol and benzos are used in combination, the outcome can be deadly.
Benzodiazepines can also enhance the high brought on by opioids, and increase the risk and severity of overdose: in 2015, almost 1 in 4 people who died from an opioid overdose had benzodiazepines in their system as well. [1]
Types of
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines vary wildly in how quickly they work, how long their effects last, and what they’re used for. For instance, Valium is prescribed as an anxiety treatment, seizure treatment, anesthetic, or muscle relaxant, but Xanax is mostly used just as antipsychotic to address intense anxiety. Other uses besides the above include assisting during alcohol withdrawal, treating insomnia, and helping to decrease the severity of anxiety and related issues.
The four most common (and commonly abused) benzodiazepines are:
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- diazepam (Valium)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
Other benzodiazepines include:
- chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- clorazepate (Tranxene)
- estazolam (Prosom)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
- midazolam (Versed)
- oxazepam (Serax)
- quazepam (Doral)
- temazepam (Restoril)
- triazolam (Halcion)
Types of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines vary wildly in how quickly they work, how long their effects last, and what they’re used for. For instance, Valium is prescribed as an anxiety treatment, seizure treatment, anesthetic, or muscle relaxant, but Xanax is mostly used just as antipsychotic to address intense anxiety. Other uses besides the above include assisting during alcohol withdrawal, treating insomnia, and helping to decrease the severity of anxiety and related issues.
The four most common (and commonly abused) benzodiazepines are:
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- diazepam (Valium)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
Other benzodiazepines include:
- chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- clorazepate (Tranxene)
- estazolam (Prosom)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
- midazolam (Versed)
- oxazepam (Serax)
- quazepam (Doral)
- temazepam (Restoril)
- triazolam (Halcion)
YOUR NEW BEGINNING STARTS HERE
TAKE THE FIRST STEP BY REACHING OUT TODAY
Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Some signs of benzodiazepine addiction are more dramatic versions of their intended effects. Other symptoms are unpleasant or even dangerous side effects of their use:
- Mental effects: Acute anxiety, panic attacks, decreased libido, depression, suicidal thoughts
- Confusion: Memory impairment, loss of coordination or orientation, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, lightheadedness
- Discomfort: Headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, dry mouth, fatigue
- Stomach problems: Altered appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, weight gain
- Behavioral changes: Poor reaction times, risky behavior, issues at work or school, legal problems, frequent use, less effects from use, loss of control over use
- Serious health risks: Seizures, respiratory issues, altered heartbeat and blood pressure, jaundice, weakness, fainting, coma, risk of dementia
Even people who are prescribed benzos and use them as directed sometimes report feeling like they’re “in a fog” when they take them. If someone you know starts to exhibit new behaviors like staring into space, losing focus frequently, and generally, undergoing a serious behavioral change, they may be using or abusing benzodiazepines or another type of addictive substance.
Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Some signs of benzodiazepine addiction are more dramatic versions of their intended effects. Other symptoms are unpleasant or even dangerous side effects of their use:
- Mental effects: Acute anxiety, panic attacks, decreased libido, depression, suicidal thoughts
- Confusion: Memory impairment, loss of coordination or orientation, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, lightheadedness
- Discomfort: Headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, dry mouth, fatigue
- Stomach problems: Altered appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, weight gain
- Behavioral changes: Poor reaction times, risky behavior, issues at work or school, legal problems, frequent use, less effects from use, loss of control over use
- Serious health risks: Seizures, respiratory issues, altered heartbeat and blood pressure, jaundice, weakness, fainting, coma, risk of dementia
Even people who are prescribed benzos and use them as directed sometimes report feeling like they’re “in a fog” when they take them. If someone you know starts to exhibit new behaviors like staring into space, losing focus frequently, and generally, undergoing a serious behavioral change, they may be using or abusing benzodiazepines or another type of addictive substance.
Benzodiazepine
Detox and Withdrawal
Long-term abuse of benzos causes dependence and addiction. Suddenly stopping the use of benzodiazepines can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Acute anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Suicidal thoughts
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Delusion
- Nightmares
- Lack of concentration
- Seizures
- Muscle tension
- Cramping
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Raised blood pressure
- Altered heartbeat
- Fainting and coma
- Acute anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Suicidal thoughts
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations
- Delusion
- Nightmares
- Lack of concentration
- Seizures
- Muscle tension
- Cramping
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Raised blood pressure
- Altered heartbeat
- Fainting and coma
Withdrawal typically sets in a few days after stopping use, but symptoms may last between two weeks and several months. Some people experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), where some withdrawal symptoms persist for much longer than the initial period of withdrawal. There’s also a condition known as “benzo belly” that causes people who have recently gotten clean from benzodiazepines to experience bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort, with or without food.
The severity and length of withdrawal depends on many factors, including the specific benzodiazepines being used, how strong the dose was, how long they were being used, and whether or not they were used alongside other medications. Stopping benzodiazepine abuse without guidance and support from a team of professionals can make the above symptoms much more severe and pose potential serious health risks.
APPLY FOR TREATMENT
Complete the Form Below to Start Your Treatment Application
Benzodiazepine Abuse and Recovery
in Mississippi
While benzodiazepine detox is its own challenge, overcoming benzodiazepine addiction is another entirely. At Extra Mile Recovery, we use a holistic and evidenced-based approach to help clients both get and stay clean through carefully monitored drug detox and residential inpatient rehab. During our comprehensive treatment program, clients will participate in 12-Step work, one-on-one substance abuse counseling, small group therapy, family sessions, life skill workshops, and various other addiction recovery services to ensure they find the strength, support, and tools they need to overcome their benzodiazepine addiction.
Substance abuse treatment for benzodiazepine addiction should be careful, compassionate, and personalized to each client — and that’s exactly how we’ve changed so many people’s lives and helped them successfully enter recovery. To learn more about our benzodiazepine addiction recovery programming options, please click the link below or contact our admissions team at 662-810-4146 today.
