Benzodiazepine Addiction
What is Benzodiazepine Addiction?
Benzodiazepines, also called “benzos,” are a class of psychoactive drugs. The name comes from the chemical structure of the compound, which includes a “benzene” ring and a “diazepine” ring. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of GABA-A, a neurotransmitter in the brain. This results in a hypnotic sedative effect. Examples of benzodiazepines include Valium and Xanax.
Recognizing an Benzodiazepine Addiction
Signs of benzodiazepine addiction include:
- Failure or inability to reduce doses or stop using benzodiazepines
- Feeling unable to function without benzodiazepines
- Increased tolerance of the effects of benzodiazepines, requiring higher doses to achieve the same outcome
- Withdrawal symptoms (including depersonalization, anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, physical tremors, and sleep disturbances) when doses of the drugs are reduced or eliminated.
Benzodiazepine addicts often display self-harming behavior and suicidal tendencies, especially in young people. In rare cases, withdrawal from the drug can also result in psychosis and convulsions.
The most common causes for benzodiazepine addiction are extending use beyond the original course of treatment and using larger doses than directed although many addicts simply begin using benzos without a prescription.
Risk factors for benzodiazepine addiction include:
- Long-term use of benzodiazepines (beyond four weeks)
- Use of high or increasingly high doses of the drugs
- Simultaneous abuse of barbiturates or alcohol
- Suffering from long-term anxiety disorders or other conditions for which benzodiazepines are used
Benzodiazepine Addiction Rehab Treatment Programs
Benzodiazepine addiction treatments typically start with a slow detox, which is followed by weaning a person off the drug while also working to lessen withdrawal symptoms. After the detoxification program, people in recovery are typically encouraged to undergo psychological therapy, participate in group therapy, or do other things that might help prevent relapse.