Benzodiazepines, or “benzos”, are a prescription drug for people who are struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues — but these medications are not without risks.
They are also highly addictive and can have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when people try to stop abusing them, and should only be taken with care and medical supervision.
Read on to learn more about how you can recognize benzo addiction in yourself or a loved one, and the treatments offered for this type of substance use disorder (SUD).
Benzodiazepine Addiction: Quick Definition
Benzodiazepines are a type of medication that calm the central nervous system (CNS) and are typically prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, sleep disorders, and more.
Because of the calming effect of benzodiazepines, some people report experiencing relaxation and euphoria while taking them. These feelings can be pleasurable and lead some people to want to take more, even if they have no medical condition.
Over time, someone taking benzos regularly will build up a tolerance and require more of them in order to experience the same effects. Furthermore, they may feel uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop.
As someone builds up a tolerance and dependence on benzodiazepines, they are likely to find themselves facing addiction as well.
At Otter House Wellness, we offer treatment for benzo addiction, mental health issues that may have contributed to this addiction, and more.
Why Do People Abuse Benzodiazepines?
No one starts out using benzodiazepines with the intention of becoming dependent or addicted to them, and most people start out using only after being prescribed a valid prescription.
People typically start using benzos after being prescribed these medications for anxiety, with the drug quickly going to work on the reward system in their brain.
Benzos work by binding to their own receptors that are situated on the GABA-A receptor. This increases GABA activity in the brain, resulting in sedation and relaxation. The effects happen quickly, which is why benzos are prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks.
Unfortunately, some people also become dependent on these pleasant feelings of relaxation, and start to take the drug more than they are prescribed and in higher doses.
Types of benzodiazepines that are frequently abused include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and oxazepam.
What Are the Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?
It is not always easy to tell when a loved one is addicted to benzodiazepines. However, knowing how to spot the signs of a benzo addiction could potentially save someone’s life.
Signs of benzodiazepine addiction include:
- Strong cravings for the drug
- Increased risk taking behaviors
- Drowsiness
- Mood changes
- Asking around for more pills
- Doctor shopping
- Being unable to function normally without benzos
- Displaying withdrawal symptoms between doses
How Addiction Leads to Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
When someone is addicted to benzodiazepines, they will also have a strong physical dependence on the drug. This will lead to severe withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop.
It is these withdrawal symptoms that often cause people to relapse and prevent people from being able to stop abusing benzos once they have started.
Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Nightmares
- Tremors and shaking
At Otter House Wellness, we treat withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepine addictions first, so you are clear and focused for your addiction treatment program.
What Causes Benzodiazepine Addiction to Develop?
The cause for addiction with benzodiazepines is much the same as with every drug. First, it causes the brain chemistry to change, leading to pleasure when using the drug.
Next, there will be a decrease in the brain’s pleasure chemical production when not using the drug, leading to a reliance on the drug in order to feel happy and even just to feel normal.
Over time, a person will need to take the benzo in higher and higher doses just to experience the same effects from it that they once felt.
Eventually, they will find that if they try to stop taking benzos that the withdrawal symptoms are too uncomfortable. Thus, the cycle of addiction starts.
Risk Factors for Benzo Addiction
While addiction can happen to anyone, certain people are more prone to or at risk for certain types of addiction, such as a benzo addiction.
The single biggest risk factor for an addiction to benzodiazepines is having a prescription to them, as they are less sought-out as a drug to use recreationally.
Risk factors for benzo addiction include:
- Family history of substance abuse and addiction
- Long-term use of benzodiazepines for medical reasons
- Past history of substance abuse or polysubstance abuse
- High levels of stress or a recent traumatic experience
- Mental health issues like depression and anxiety
Who Experiences Benzo Abuse Problems?
While anyone can experience a benzo abuse problem, certain people are more likely to experience this type of abuse than others.
In the case of benzos, the people who tend to experience abuse problems are those who start out taking the drug for a legitimate reason and with a prescription from a health care provider.
According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 30.6 million American adults report using benzodiazepines in the past year. Of those, 5.3 million report misusing the drug.
Further findings from this study concluded that:
- Adults age 50-64 have the highest rate of prescriptions for benzodiazepines
- Adults age 18-25 have the highest rate of misuse for benzos
Side Effects of Benzodiazepine Abuse
While benzodiazepines can have many helpful effects for those who are prescribed them for anxiety and other disorders, they can also have unpleasant side effects as well.
These side effects are amplified when someone takes the drug in excess and abuses it. They can also be amplified when the benzos are taken with alcohol or other drugs.
Side effects of benzodiazepine abuse include:
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Fatigue and weakness
- Impaired coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Respiratory depression
- Mood swings
- Aggression and hostility
- Sleep disturbances
Treatment for benzo addictions at Otter House Wellness includes identifying and addressing any negative side effects you may be experiencing from benzo abuse.
Long Term Effects of Benzodiazepine Addiction
In addition to short-term side effects, benzodiazepines can also have dangerous and unpleasant long term effects as well.
These long-term adverse effects can become more severe and dangerous the longer a person continues to abuse benzos.
For these reasons, people are usually only prescribed benzos in a low dose and as a short-term solution to anxiety, only to be taken on an as-needed basis.
Long-term effects of benzodiazepine addiction include:
- Physical dependence and addiction
- Memory and other cognitive impairments
- Worsening of mental health issues
- Difficulties in maintaining personal relationships and employment
- Increased risk for polysubstance abuse
- Increased risk of overdose
Benzo Addiction Treatment Options at Otter House Wellness
Otter House Wellness offers a variety of treatment options for people struggling with benzodiazepine addiction.
Benzodiazepine Detox
Medical detoxification is truly the safest option when it comes to quitting benzodiazepines, as withdrawal symptoms are not only very uncomfortable, but also can be life-threatening.
In addition to medical supervision, patients undergoing this type of detox typically use medications in order to ease their withdrawal symptoms and make relapse less likely.
Disclaimer: we do not directly offer benzodiazepine detox programs, but can refer you to trust treatment providers who do. We also partner with local hospitals to help people who have finished detox and are ready for one of our intensive treatment programs.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient treatment programs are one of the more cost-effective options for benzodiazepine addiction while also offering a high level of flexibility for patients.
Otter House Wellness offers three levels of outpatient care:
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): meets all day, typically five days a week
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): meets a few days a week for several hours
- Outpatient programs: meets by appointment and on an as-needed basis
Behavioral Therapy
In terms of behavioral therapy, Otter House Wellness offers both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), both of which are very effective for addiction.
CBT focuses on helping people to identify and understand their negative thought patterns and behaviors and change them into positive thoughts and behaviors.
DBT, on the other hand, helps people with emotion regulation by teaching various skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance.
Medication Management
Medication management is also offered for people who are taking medications or who are prescribed new medications during their treatment.
Often this means medications to treat mental health conditions, as many people with an addiction to benzos also have an underlying mental health condition.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Recovery Options
Even after a person has successfully completed an inpatient or outpatient treatment program, their best chance at long-term recovery is often through recovery aftercare.
Recovery aftercare options for benzo addiction include:
- Transitional living homes: these homes, such as sober living homes and halfway houses, provide people with a structured and sober living environment as they transition back to their normal lives.
- Continuing therapy: people who have completed an inpatient or outpatient program can benefit from continued therapy in case they run into triggers or challenges.
Otter House Wellness works to pair our clients with the right level of aftercare to help them succeed in long-term recovery.
Find Effective Benzo Addiction Treatment at Otter House Wellness
It is never easy to admit that you need help, and you should be proud of yourself for considering treatment and making it this far in improving your well-being.
When you are ready to take the next step, contact Otter House Wellness on our helpline to discuss our outpatient options for care and treatment services.
All of our health professionals are carefully trained, vetted, and licensed, and are dedicated to helping you on your recovery journey. Contact us now to get started with an assessment.
