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Sometimes called “Benzos”, Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with sedative and hypnotic effects that depress the central nervous system (CNS) [2]. They have a calming (sedative) effect and are often prescribed to relieve acute anxiety. Because they also have a hypnotic effect, they can also be prescribed to treat sleep problems. Benzodiazepines are sometimes used during alcohol detoxification because they have an anticonvulsant effect.
Benzodiazepine use disorder involves the misuse of benzodiazepines, prescribed or not. It is considered a chronic, relapsing, and potentially fatal condition that is often accompanied by other substance issues [1].
It all starts with GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is your major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Benzos allow your GABA receptors to take in more GABA. This slows down the activity in your nervous system by blocking and inhibiting certain brain signals. The more GABA you receive, the more relaxed you will become. That is why benzos have a sedative, anticonvulsant, and hypnotic effect.[3]
Benzodiazepines first arrived on the scene in the 1950s with the introduction of chlordiazepoxide. In 1960, chlordiazepoxide began being marketed to the public as Librium. In 1963, a much more potent benzo called diazepam was introduced and sold by the brand name of Valium. By the end of the 1970s, benzos had mostly replaced the barbiturates. They accounted for 10% of all prescriptions written in the US because of their anxiety-relieving and sleep-inducing properties[3]. In 1981, alprazolam was introduced into the US market by the brand name Xanax.
Yes. Although they are prescription medications, they can be addictive and abused. Some are more addictive than others due to higher levels of euphoric mood effects. Diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam are the benzodiazepines with the highest euphoric effects. Although all benzos are abusable, these three have the highest addiction potential (Abuse Liability) and are the most commonly abused prescription drug. [4]
Mixing benzos with alcohol and other drugs is the most common way they are abused. When multiple drugs are abused together, it is called polysubstance abuse. Benzos are typically a secondary drug abused in this scenario. Benzos can amplify the euphoric effects of other drugs and vice versa, having what is called a synergistic effect. They are also abused with other drugs to reduce unwanted side effects like insomnia and withdrawal. [5]
Drinking alcohol while taking benzos is a common way benzos are misused. This is dangerous and can result in overdose and even death. According to the CDC, alcohol was involved in 27% of benzo-drug-related ER visits and 22% of benzo-related deaths. See the graph below. [6]
Mixing benzodiazepines with drugs like opioids is very dangerous because cross-tolerance can develop, which can lead to overdose and death. In 2004, 18% of opioid deaths involved benzos. In 2011, opioid deaths involving benzos went up to 31% in 2018. [7]
Yes, if you suddenly reduce or stop taking benzodiazepines, you will likely go into withdrawal. These drugs have a high risk of creating physical and mental dependence. Depending on the dose and how long the drug has been used, withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and even be life-threatening.
Typically, the withdrawal symptoms are the opposite of the effects of the benzos. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia are common, and even seizures are sometimes a result of withdrawal. In some cases where benzos have been abused for extended periods, people may experience Post-Acute-Withdrawal-Syndrome or protracted withdrawal. [8] [9] [17]
Benzodiazepines are an anticonvulsant, and when they are suddenly removed from the body, grand mal seizures are a risk. Withdrawal seizures from benzos are very dangerous and can be deadly. [10] If you want to stop taking benzodiazepines, you should never attempt it without consulting a doctor first. The safest way to stop is under the supervision of a doctor with a medical detox.
List of short and long-term physical effects of Benzodiazepine Abuse: [15] [16] [17]
Short and long-term mental effects of benzodiazepine abuse: [15] [16] [17]
The short and long-term social consequences of abusing benzodiazepines include: [15] [16] [17]
Because forming a physical dependency on benzodiazepines happens so quickly, anyone who takes a prescription regularly for longer than three weeks is at risk of developing a future addiction.
However, certain factors seem to be more common for those who misuse.
Like all addictive drugs, benzodiazepines increase the amount of dopamine (a neurotransmitter that creates happiness). Individuals who are vulnerable to crave the surge of euphoria caused by the drug quickly begin abusing it to recreate this feeling as much as possible [19].
But people become dependent on benzodiazepines, even if they are not trying to abuse them. Physical dependence on these drugs forms very quickly, meaning that if a person stops taking the drug, they will feel withdrawal symptoms that often begin with a magnified version of the symptoms that prompted them to use in the first place. [8]
To avoid the pain of withdrawal, people will begin drug-seeking behaviors if they run out (e.g, lying to doctors, family, or friends to get pills, buying pills online or from dealers, stealing pills or money). [17]
Treatment for benzodiazepine use disorder often begins with a loved one intervening to discuss the habit. This is followed by physical detox and attending a rehabilitation program. This section outlines these steps.
If someone is struggling with benzodiazepines and hasn’t considered treatment, then it might be necessary to intervene and help them decide to accept help. Confronting a loved one about suspected substance use is stressful, but it may be the difference between them getting help or not. Maybe even life or death.
Detox occurs when all chemical traces of the substance leave the body. For benzodiazepines, detox can cause fatal seizures and must be done in a medically supervised setting.
Things that put someone at risk for fatal seizures are: [10]
In a medically supervised detox, medical professionals will prescribe a taper where patients are given smaller and smaller doses of a drug to help wean them off the drug. In addition to reducing the risk of seizures and other alarming symptoms like hallucinations, a taper also makes detox less painful. [21]
Provides a sober living residence within the facility, 24-hour care, and a variety of treatment programs such as counseling, group therapy, coping skills, and relapse prevention. Programs often confiscate cell phones for the duration of the stay and require semi-frequent drug tests. For those with severe or long-term addictions, inpatient care is always recommended. [20]
Sobriety is a lifelong process, and finishing rehab is only the beginning. To avoid relapse, you must use what you’ve learned in treatment and maintain healthy habits. This includes:
At Tree House Recovery, we are proud of the program we’ve built to create sustainable sobriety. Our method works. We use eight connected treatments to help our patients understand the cause of their addiction, the pathology of the disease, how to cope, deal with stress, and reset their brain chemistry. Our graduates become someone they’ve never met before — a person who’s deeply confident, strong, at peace with themselves, and most importantly, happy.
For more information: See reviews from former patients, our success rates, read about our staff, or take a look at our facilities.
Disclaimer:
No content on this website should ever be used as a substitution for direct medical care and advice from a qualified physician clinician.
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