Benzodiazepine Addiction & Abuse
Benzodiazepine prescriptions are medications that are considered sedatives. They are used to treat many issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
What Are Benzos?
Benzodiazepine is a medication that is a sedative-hypnotic. This means they create a calming or tranquilizing effect. Benzodiazepine is prescribed to treat illnesses and disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, panic and seizure disorders, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some of them may also be prescribed as muscle relaxants. Unfortunately, the same actions that make these medications valuable within medical treatment also entice drug abusers.
Taking on several forms, Benzodiazepines include an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, liquid, tablet, or an orally disintegrating tablet. Each of these forms may be abused to create a sedated effect of euphoria.
What Is Benzodiazepine Addiction?
There is an extensive list of benzodiazepine drugs available, and all of them have the possibility of being abused. Benzo abusers frequently prefer short-acting, high-potency benzos, such as lorazepam or alprazolam.
In many instances, the need to use this drug becomes so intense that it cancels a person’s desire to take care of themselves, their family, or their ability to perform other obligations, such as going to work.
Like all forms of drug abuse and addiction, individuals who abuse Benzos often experience their life being more of a mess, which harm their body, and their ability to process what is happening to them. Nobody wants to believe that this is really their life, and it is hard to imagine this has really happened to them. Move past the shock and embarrassment and get the help you need to become free of addiction.
Benzo Abuse
In addition, this medication may be crushed to be snorted, smoked, or injected. No matter the method benzodiazepines are abused, the probability of dependence and addiction runs high. In addition to addiction, benzodiazepine abuse has many adverse health effects and dangers, including but not limited to:
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- congenital disabilities
- bafflement
- clumsiness
- heart rhythm disturbances
- dizziness
Benzo abuse is linked to an increased risk of suicide and thoughts of suicide. In addition, chronic use of these drugs may change a person’s ability to feel emotions. As a result, some people struggle to feel any feelings, also known as emotional anesthesia.
Long-term abuse can cause some very problems the drugs are designed to treat.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Overdose is another considerable danger associated with Benzodiazepine abuse. As central nervous system (CNS) depressants, this drug can slow our body’s systems to deadly levels. This causes changes to an individual’s body temperature, blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate to the point that life is not sustainable.
Benzodiazepines are often abused with other drugs, commonly with alcohol and opioids, depressing the central nervous system. This combination is even more dangerous. Signs of an overdose include blue fingernails, double vision, impaired coordination, slurred speech, and slowed or stopped breathing.
An overdose is a medical emergency, do not procrastinate; call 911.
Help is available 24/7 at our addiction hotline 24/7 1-888-400-1556
What are the Factors Leading to Abuse?
Benzo abuse happens without you realizing it is happening in most instances. If you are experiencing adverse effects and symptoms, you too could be a victim of benzodiazepine abuse.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Facts
Common street names include:
- Benzos
- Downers
- Trunks
- Nerve Pills
Types of Benzos:
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Klonopin
- Valium
- Restoril
Among people who are experiencing abuse:
- 46.35 said their main reason for doing so is to relax or relieve tension
- 22.4% state they misuse the drug to improve sleep
- 11.8% indicate they abuse the drug to get high or because they are “hooked” on them
- 5.7% said their reason for abusing benzodiazepines is to experiment
What people may not know:
- Anxiety is not the only condition treated with Benzodiazepines
- Benzodiazepines are not the only treatment for anxiety
- Legal prescriptions can still be abused
- Not every person taking Benzodiazepines is addicted to or abusing them
How To Get Benzodiazepine Addiction Help
The first step is incredibly difficult, and we’ll make it as easy as possible. We’re here to provide benzodiazepine addiction help as you begin your journey toward freedom from addiction. Contact us 24/7/365 at our addiction hotline 888-708-2602, and let’s start changing your life with a benzodiazepine intervention and helping you discover being free of benzodiazepine abuse.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment at Flyland
With decades of experience, we’ve gained a lot of knowledge as we’ve successfully helped many individuals learn that addiction can end. We have shown that Benzodiazepine addiction treatment is most successful when we act with a definite purpose, responsiveness, experience, and hold onto our unwavering set of founded philosophical principles.
We use evidence-based benzodiazepine abuse treatment and benzodiazepine intervention methods that have been proven to be successful. We offer private and group therapy sessions, counseling, opportunities to learn more coping tools, and how to prevent relapse as part of your benzodiazepine addiction intervention. Additionally, we provide motivational, science-based integrative services such as chiropractic, massage therapy, meditation, and nutrition education.
An aftercare plan is essential to your continued success. In addition, support groups can help keep you moving forward and maintain a life without addiction.
Using Insurance for Benzodiazepine Addiction
Insurance for intervention and benzodiazepine addiction rehab is advantageous if you suffer from benzodiazepine addiction, as attending a needed benzodiazepine addiction treatment center is necessary and expensive.
Additionally, government insurance programs have some requirements and guidelines to investigate to see if they will cover your benzodiazepine abuse treatment and which benzodiazepine rehab centers in Florida.
To confirm insurance benefits and what your plan covers, you must contact the health insurance provider to determine the type of benzodiazepine addiction intervention and benzodiazepine addiction rehab centers they will partially or fully cover. We provide free insurance verifications for benzodiazepine abuse treatment plans at Flyland Recovery Network if you already have insurance. Contact our team of experts confidentially and let them look into your insurance benefits for benzodiazepine intervention and benzodiazepine addiction treatment in Florida.
Verify Your Coverage with Flyland
There are also numerous nonprofit drug rehab center options for those who are uninsured. For example, nonprofit drug rehabs in Florida are funded by donations and grants to operate some of their programs, such as benzodiazepine addiction intervention.
Clients planning on obtaining insurance for drug or benzodiazepine addiction treatment should check with the rehab facility in Florida first to learn what public insurance is accepted, then sign up for the right insurance plan. At Flyland Recovery Network, we have access to national alcohol addiction rehab programs and lists of insurance plans and are ready to help. Contact us, and we can help you discover a plan that will help cover your benzodiazepine addiction intervention:
Get confidential help 24/7.
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
Get confidential help 24/7.
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat:
alcohol withdrawal symptoms
anxiety issues
to relax muscles
panic disorder
seizures
What are the side effects of benzodiazepine?
Short-term side effects may include coordination problems, slurred speech, restless behavior, and depression.
The adverse side effects and benzodiazepine abuse symptoms include nightmares, grouchiness, hostility, and amnesia.
How to battle benzodiazepine addiction
Know that you are not alone, and it’s not a time to prove your independence or strength. Seek help so you can get free from the addiction. Our admission specialists are here to support you in taking this step toward a brighter future.
What is benzodiazepine addiction?
When having Benzodiazepine has taken over your life, you need to admit you have an addiction and seek intervention. If you just don’t care anymore, reach out, and we’ll help you discover a better life again.
What is considered benzodiazepine abuse?
When you’re using Benzodiazepine off-label and taking more than what is prescribed, to get the same effect you use to get from the prescribed amount, you are abusing Benzodiazepine. Your body has developed a tolerance to the drug, and you’re now using it differently than it was prescribed. Or, if you are buying it on the street or begging friends and family for theirs because you can’t get a refill, it’s time for help.
Is benzodiazepine addictive?
Yes, benzodiazepines or benzos are habit-forming, and you can quickly become addicted to them – even if you follow instructions and take them exactly as your doctor or health care professional has prescribed and directed. Individuals who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse are more likely to develop an addiction to these drugs. In addition, if you use these drugs over a long period of time, you can create a tolerance for Benzodiazepines. This means that your body will need a higher dose of the drug to treat your condition, disorder, ailment, or disease because you’ve become tolerant of the weaker formulations of the drug.
Why is benzodiazepine addictive?
Benzodiazepine messes with the brain’s neurotransmitters. These chemical interactions create intense feelings of euphoria and other artificial happiness, hallucinations, and overall well-being. As the drug wears off, an individual’s body is depleted of natural occurring transmitters. Then, feelings of anxiety, anger, moodiness, and depression take over, making the craving and desire for the drug take over.
How to know if you have a benzodiazepine addiction
If you are taking the medication other than directed, craving it, increasing use, borrowing from friends or family, buying on the street, visiting new doctors and ERs to get another prescription, you could have an addiction.
What benzodiazepine abuse looks like
Street names for benzodiazepine drugs include “Benzos” and “Downers.” People who are addicted to Benzodiazepines abuse these drugs to get “high.” These are frequently abused by young adolescents and adults who crush it up and snort it or take the tablet to get high.
How long does a benzodiazepine detox and withdrawal take?
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin, alter brain chemistry differently. The professionals at each Flyland Recovery Network center understand how benzo addiction works so we can treat it better.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal takes a lot of hard work and effort and usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to detox with professional help in a rehab treatment facility.
What are the most common withdrawal symptoms experienced during detox?
When a physically-dependent person quits benzodiazepines, withdrawal can set in. Severe withdrawal from Benzodiazepine can be hazardous to the extent that medical detox and professional treatment at a rehab treatment center are necessary. Some individuals may experience withdrawal that is so severe that their life is jeopardized. In these instances, withdrawal can cause seizures or delirium tremens. Getting help and staying in a drug treatment facility where you can receive the care you need and stay safe with professionals assisting you can help you discover freedom.
These withdrawal symptoms associated with benzo addiction may include:
Increased tension and anxiety
Hand tremors
Difficulty in concentration
Dry vomiting and nausea
Muscular pain and stiffness
Perceptual changes
