Doctors tend to prescribe benzodiazepines, or benzos, for use by patients that struggle with anxiety and traumatic stress. Benzos don’t generate a high, but rather a feeling of relief, relaxation, and general mood enhancement for someone feeling anxious or stressed. Because of their addictive nature, even the doctors that prescribe the drugs have to get approval to refill prescriptions. Benzo addiction tends to be less common than other types of substance use disorders, but its effects are just as dangerous as with other drug use. Seeking help through a benzo addiction rehab like Solution Based Treatment & Detox can help mitigate the risks and health impacts of drug use along with the goal of lifelong recovery. Call us at 833.999.1941 to begin the detox and recovery process.
Effects of Benzo Use
People who struggle with severe anxiety take benzos to feel normal. Some people claim that the only time they have felt normal is when they are taking the drug. So it’s easy to see how this false sense of security can go awry. It’s a slippery slope where the drug prescription easily becomes a drug addiction.
When people start abusing benzos in high doses, the brain can stop developing the coping mechanisms that we need to function every day. Benzos also cause the brain to raise the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) effectiveness. This neurotransmitter chemical has a sedative effect directed at the central nervous system.
Abusing benzos can be just the first step in a vicious drug use cycle. If benzo users start adding other psychoactive substances like alcohol to the mix, it can only add to the effects on their brain chemistry. Overusing benzos like Xanax can make people feel “barred out,” losing track of time, place, and control of their own actions.
Benzos can cause side-effects like:
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Blurred vision
- Lack of concentration
- Fine motor skill problems
- Loss of inhibitions
- Respiratory issues
- Extreme changes in weight
- Fatigue and weakness
- Tremors
- Loss of sexual desire
- Nausea or constipation
- Jaundice
- Brain damage
Benzos can sometimes cause effects that are actually the opposite of what the medication is prescribed for. They are called ‘paradoxical’ effects. This can include aggressive behavior, delusions, severe depressions, psychosis, and even suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Treatment for Benzo Addiction
Medically supervised detox is the best option to wean off of any drug. You can reduce your drug intake over time in a safe and comfortable medical environment. A 24/7 medical staff is there to ensure there are no complications – like seizures – while you experience the withdrawal symptoms. Seizures can cause a loss of consciousness, convulsions, and rapid muscle contractions. This is not something you want to experience on your own trying to detox at home. In a detox like the one at SBT, you will have the support you need should this happen. If it happens while you are on your own or driving, then you risk serious, even fatal injuries.
The following programs have been proven to be successful in helping people overcome benzo addiction in the long term.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
- Residential addiction treatment
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Sober living program
Withdrawal Symptoms
Going through withdrawal from benzo use brings on symptoms that can be life-threatening. Medically supervised detox can help you manage these withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment where you are monitored 24/7.
Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal include:
- Sleep issues
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Shaking
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Nausea
- Muscular pain
- Hallucinations
Contact SBT to Learn More About the Effects of Benzo Use
At Solution Based Treatment & Detox, we specialize in treating a variety of substance use disorders, including benzo addiction. We offer medically supervised detox as well as other evidence-based treatment modalities.
Some of the other substance use disorders we help treat include:
- Alcohol addiction
- Opioid addiction
- Heroin addiction
- Meth addiction
- Cocaine addiction
- Marijuana addiction
- Prescription drug addiction
Contact us at 833.999.1941 to get more information about treatment options for your benzo addiction.