Benzodiazepine Addiction

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are a prescription drug used for treating panic attacks, anxiety, and disturbed sleep patterns.  Some of the more commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are Xanax (Alprazolam), Valium (Diazepam), and Librium (Chlordiazepoxide).

Signs of Addiction

Needing more medication to get the same effect is always a strong indication that tolerance has developed.  If the medication is abruptly discontinued, withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable that other drugs are taken as a substitute.  If the idea of not being able to take any more medication creates feelings of deep anxiety, it is possible that some level of dependency has developed.

Effects of Addiction

In general, addiction to any of the Benzodiazepines creates daytime drowsiness and sleepiness, possible short-term memory impairment, loss of physical coordination, and impaired motor skills.  As prescribed drugs, individual types and their side effects are listed according to categories of treatment.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks—Side Effects

Xanax (Alprazolam)- Appetite changes, depressed breathing, irritability, sleepiness, and loss of concentration.

Halcion (Triazolam)-Depressed breathing, hallucinations, palpitations, confusion, aggression, and tachycardia.

Lorazepam (Ativan)- Dizziness, impaired coordination, headache, and disturbed sleep patterns.

Difficulty Sleeping

Restoril (Temazapam)- Hallucinations, facial and lip swelling, mood swings, light-headedness, anxiety, headache, and suicidal thoughts.

Flurazepam (Dalmane)- Dizziness and drowsiness.

Estazolam (ProSom)- Unsteadiness, dizziness, hung-over feeling, nausea, weakness, chills, and tachycardia.

Seizures

Versed (Midazolam)- Aggressiveness, anxiety, depressed breathing, sleep apnea, nausea, and vomiting.

Valium (Diazepam)- Hallucinations, slurred speech, tremors, jaundice, loss of muscle coordination, light-headedness, blurred vision, and confusion.

Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)- Confusion, skin rash, jaundice condition, liver problems, abdominal pain, tremors, depression, and sweating.

Disturbed Sleep Patterns

Clonazepam (Klonopin)- Anxiety, lack of coordination, tremors, hallucinations, jaundice condition, rapid heart rate, behavior disorders, convulsions, high blood pressure, lost sense of reality, and delusions.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

Exceeding the prescribed dosage of Benzodiazepines leads to dependency and withdrawal symptoms when the medication is reduced or discontinued.  Addiction is also known to occur when product usage exceeds four to five weeks.  Larger amounts of medication result in more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety and panic attacks, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), body tremors, appetite loss, hallucinations, depression, and tinnitus (ear ringing).

Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction

Due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms commonly associated with Benzodiazepines, it is advised to not attempt detoxification without the active supervision of an addiction specialist or medical personnel that are trained in how to handle addiction emergencies.  An addiction specialist knows how to gradually reduce the amount of the drug on a daily basis until drug usage is discontinued.  The tapering process minimizes withdrawal symptoms so the comfort and safety of the patient is maintained at all times.  Detox, in and of itself, is only the first stage of treatment.

After the drug has been successfully eliminated from the system, treatment turns to counseling, group therapy, and Twelve Step Programs to get to the deep seated issues that underline addictive behavior.  Changing addictive behavior patterns is not just a mind over matter, battle of wills.  Each recovering addict must discover a program that will allow them to safely unlock the answers to maintaining a life-long commitment to healing.

Burning Tree Helps People Come Back to Life from Addiction

The gift of life is renewed with each and every breath that we take.  We need to breathe deeply and calmly to oxygenate our bodies and feel alive.  So many addicts breathe with great difficulty because the side effects of drugs have robbed their lungs of the ability to function properly.  At Burning Tree, we want you to get your breath back and experience healing in a way you never dreamed possible.  Our approach to rehabilitation takes the limitations off of time to open up a horizon of hope to people who need it.  Walk the gentle hills, inhale the sweet sage, and lift your spirit within a community of addiction specialists and therapists that know how to free you from addiction.  Let us help you break the chains of addiction safely in an environment designed to prevent you from ever relapsing again.  Yes, it is possible.  More than possible, it is our commitment to you.  Call us now.