Benzodiazepine addiction is considered a chronic medical condition. It can persist for a long time and worsen if not treated promptly.
Whether benzodiazepines enter your life through a doctor’s prescription or other means, they can sometimes lead to dependency. The brain starts to adapt to the drugs over time, and an addiction may result.
But the good news is there is help on hand for recovery. At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we provide personalized, evidence-based interventions in a warm, comfortable, and caring environment to help you get to a place of long-lasting sobriety.
Learn more about benzodiazepine addiction and how we can help.
What Is Considered a Benzodiazepine Addiction?
A person can have a benzodiazepine addiction if they compulsively take a tranquilizer class of drugs called benzodiazepines or ‘benzos’. These drugs work on the central nervous system (CNS) and are often prescribed for anxiety disorders and panic disorders.
A benzo addiction drives a person to use these prescription drugs despite being aware of potential side effects and risks beyond the prescribed amount and duration.
When people start taking benzos and experience positive effects, they may believe they can control their use. However, the use of benzodiazepines can cause changes to the way the brain works, so over time, you can become less sensitive to the same dose.
You start seeking out higher doses to get the same effects. You may start to neglect healthier activities, like spending time with your loved ones. An addiction can, over the long term, negatively affect your physical, mental, and emotional health, your work life, your relationships, and the overall quality of your life.
Because it’s a form of substance abuse, a benzodiazepine addiction is also referred to as a substance use disorder. Treatment options range from inpatient care to outpatient programs, depending on the severity of addiction.
Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers a range of outpatient programs to help you break free from benzodiazepine addiction.
What Are the Causes of Benzodiazepine Addiction?
You may start taking benzodiazepines because of a prescription, recreational reasons (to feel better or perform better), or due to peer pressure.
But if not carefully managed, the substance can take over your life and turn into drug abuse. Before you know it, abuse becomes an addiction.
Benzodiazepine addiction is considered a type of brain disorder, because when you keep taking these medications, they can cause changes in the way your brain functions. The impacted parts of the brain deal with stress, self-control, and reward.
Long-term use can result in you wanting more of the drug or wanting it more frequently to just feel ‘normal’, known as a benzodiazepine dependence.
You may find it hard to exert self-control, because the substance makes changes to the parts of your brain that help you judge correctly, make decisions, learn and memorize, and control behaviors.
Over time, it becomes hard to stop even when you want to, as the cravings and urges feel just too strong.
Who Is at Risk for Benzodiazepine Addiction?
The risk of developing a benzodiazepine addiction can vary from person to person. Addiction is a complex health condition, and no single risk factor can be seen as responsible for causing it. It’s often the combination of many different factors.
The likelihood of developing a benzodiazepine addiction can be influenced by:
- Your genes: A person’s genes, as well as the influence of the environment on their genes, can make up 40 to 60% of a person’s risk for addiction.
- The state of your mental health: Clinicians have observed a concrete link between addictive behaviors and certain types of mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder.
- Environmental factors: When parents or older family members engage in drug abuse, it can increase a child’s risk of developing addiction. Children may also experience peer pressure from other students in school.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences: People who have had traumatic experiences in childhood are also more prone to developing health conditions like an addiction.
- Age of drug use: Using drugs from an early age can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction as the brain adapts to the drug.
Benzodiazepines are also habit-forming, and certain types of benzodiazepines can be especially addictive. People who take them should pay attention to prescribing instructions.
Rates of Benzodiazepine Addiction in the U.S.
A total of 30.6 million adults (12.6%) reported previous year benzodiazepine use.
Here’s what to know about abuse of benzos in the U.S.:
- Misuse of benzodiazepines accounted for 17.2% of overall use.
- Those aged 18-25 had the highest misuse at 5.2%, and those aged under 65 had the lowest at.6%.
In addition, misuse and abuse of or dependence on prescription opioids or stimulants were strongly associated with benzodiazepine misuse. Benzodiazepine misuse without a prescription was the most common type of misuse.
What Are the Warning Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?
When someone’s dealing with an addiction, they have a compulsive need to take benzodiazepines more frequently, in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Look out for the following warning signs:
Mental signs:
- Intense urges or cravings for benzodiazepines
- Desire to take high doses
- Feeling unable to quit
- Feeling guilty, helpless, or depressed
- Fixating and spending large amounts of time thinking about the drugs
- Difficulties with concentrating or thinking clearly
- Impairment in memory or forgetfulness
- Vivid or disturbing dreams
Behavioral signs:
- Feelings of physical dependence, including withdrawal when not using benzos
- Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence, like driving
- Spending more money than you can afford to maintain a supply of the drug
- Stealing money to buy the drugs or lying to hide drug use from others
- Being unable to quit even after several attempts
Physical signs:
- Lack of interest in hygiene
- Low energy and motivation
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Withdrawal symptoms when you stop use, like muscle spasms
- Anxiety or irritability
- Slower breathing and lowered blood pressure
- Slurred speech
- Repeated, uncontrolled eye movements
- Breathing difficulties (respiratory depression)
Social signs:
- Missing work or school
- Avoiding family activities
- Losing interest in hobbies
- Not meeting responsibilities
- Problems in relationships with family and friends
- Avoiding old friends or changing friend groups
If you notice signs of a benzo addiction in yourself or a loved one, getting help right away is crucial to avoiding serious health effects.
Types of Benzo Drugs that Lead to Addiction
Benzodiazepines include three types – short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting.
Short-acting benzodiazepines work quickly and also leave your body quickly. They are the most likely to cause an addiction. They’re typically used to treat insomnia.
Some examples of short-acting benzodiazepines are:
- Oxazepam (Alepam, Murelax, Serepax)
- Temazepam (Restoril,Euhypnos, Normison)
- Alprazolam (Xanax, Kalma, Alprax) and
- Lorazepam (Ativan® Loreev)
Intermediate-acting benzodiazepines don’t act as quickly as the short-acting type, and they don’t stay in the body as long as the long-acting type. An example is Nitrazepam (Alodorm®, Mogadon®).
Long-acting benzodiazepines release slowly inside the body and they also leave the body slowly. These are mostly prescribed for conditions like anxiety. They are the least likely to cause an addiction.
Some examples of long-acting benzodiazepines are:
- Diazepam (Diastat, Valium, Valtaco)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Chlordiazepoxide
Complications of Untreated Benzodiazepine Addiction
Long-term abuse of benzodiazepines can lead to overdose and prove fatal if left untreated. It can also result in:
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal, which can cause respiratory depression
- Cognitive decline, including memory problems, and decreased mental clarity
- Increased risk of falls, accidents, and injuries.
- Severe drowsiness
- Depression and increased anxiety
- Increased risk of suicidal behaviors
- Increased risk of overdose and
The risk of seizures and other life-threatening withdrawal symptoms increases with continued untreated use.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Options in Stuart, Florida
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we recognize the crucial need to treat both addiction and dependence on benzodiazepines to help you reach recovery. We also work to restore mental wellness, since people who are addicted to benzos usually have underlying mental health conditions.
Here are the treatment options we offer in Stuart, Florida for a benzodiazepine addiction:
A prescription drug detox program helps you rid your body of excess benzodiazepines and any other substances, so you can respond well to treatment.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we provide drug detoxification programs to help you safely get through withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision and expertise.
Medication-assisted treatment involves administering medicines to support harm reduction and reduce cravings
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we may recommend this treatment if you have had previous challenges with maintaining sobriety. We follow strict ethical and medical guidelines to ensure our patients’ safety and comfort.
Outpatient programs are often used as the last stage following the successful completion of intensive outpatient/residential treatment. The focus is ongoing support to help patients sustain a clean and sober lifestyle.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, outpatient interventions can include counseling or group therapy sessions, motivational/life-skills training, employment/legal support, and training for relapse prevention to support a high quality of life post-treatment.
Addiction therapies include a variety of options that can be customized for the individual, such as CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Yoga, EMDR/Trauma therapy, mindfulness meditation, and so on.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, these therapies are used to help you self-identify and correct thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to the addiction.
Mental health treatment involves approaches like talk therapy or medication for co-occurring mental health conditions. These may be contributing to the addiction. They may also be the result of the addiction.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we customize the mental health treatment approach based on your unique needs.
Now is the perfect time to begin to heal!
Find Benzo Addiction Treatment at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, our family-oriented team of experienced professionals has been compassionately dedicated to helping those struggling with addictions since 2015.
We specialize in evidence-based, highly individualized treatment programs that exceed traditional recovery standards at our safe, harmonious treatment facility in Florida.
Our commitment ensures maximum support throughout your recovery journey, equipping you with tools for lasting sobriety.
Whether you’re battling benzo dependency alone or alongside other substances, we’re here to help you rewrite your story.
Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Benzodiazepine Addiction FAQs
The best treatment for a benzodiazepine addiction starts with a medically supervised detoxification as withdrawal syndrome could potentially be life-threatening. Health care professionals may dispense medication to manage uncomfortable symptoms.
After detox, patients should participate in treatment, which includes behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, and group support, to help prevent the addiction from recurring.
The effects of benzodiazepines on their own may not cause you to take other drugs. However, some people take them with other drugs or alcohol for various reasons.
Combining drugs and alcohol can pose severe health risks causing overdose or even death.
This can vary from individual to individual. For an addiction, it’s advisable to go for a long-term approach, which involves tapering use of benzos under medical supervision, counseling, group therapy, and group support to achieve long-lasting results.
A lot depends on the severity and duration of the addiction, the type of drug, the patient’s age and state of health, and staying on track with therapy.
Sources
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. “Benzodiazepines.” Retrieved from: https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/benzodiazepines/. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- Better Health Channel, Victoria State Government. “Benzodiazepines.” Retrieved from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/benzodiazepines. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Addiction.” Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Benzodiazepines (Benzos).” Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24570-benzodiazepines-benzos.Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Fact Sheet. “Benzodiazepines.” Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Benzodiazepenes-2020_1.pdf. Accessed on October 21, 2024.
- Mind (UK Health Charity Organization). “Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers.” Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/sleeping-pills-and-minor-tranquillisers/comparing-benzodiazepines/#:~:text=Short%2Dacting%20drugs%20have%20a,longer%20to%20leave%20the%20body. Accessed on October 20, 2024
- Mayo Clinic. “Drug addiction (substance use disorder).” Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- National Library of Medicine: “Benzodiazepine use, abuse, and dependence.” Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15762817/. Accessed on October 21, 2024.
- National Library of Medicine. “Drug Misuse and Addiction.” Retrieved from: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction#:~:text=Addiction%20is%20a%20lot%20like,and%20may%20lead%20to%20death. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. “Benzodiazepines.” Retrieved from: https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/benzodiazepines#:~:text=What%20are%20Benzodiazepines%3F,Ativan%C2%AE%2C%20and%20Klonopin%C2%AE. Accessed on October 20, 2024.
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