Understanding Benzodiazepine Abuse

Learn About Benzos Addiction

Benzodiazepines are a group of psychoactive substances that are frequently prescribed to those who are grappling with serious panic, anxiety, and insomnia. Also known as “benzos,” these substances work to depress the central nervous system and also work to help those who have been battling with seizures or severe muscle pain. In addition, benzodiazepines are also prescribed to those who require medical assistance to safely withdraw from alcohol.

Some examples of the most commonly used benzodiazepine medications are Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (containing diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam). When benzodiazepines are used, the effects include relaxation, sedation, and serenity. While these can be highly beneficial effects when these medications are being consumed responsibly and under the care of a qualified provider, they are also enticing to those who desire to self-medicate or to obtain recreational highs. Regardless of the reasons why an individual decides to misuse benzodiazepines, the results that can come from doing so can be extremely negative. In addition to the many immediate risks that an individual can face from abusing benzodiazepines, the continual abuse of these medications can bring about dependence.

Luckily, however, with the proper professional treatment, many individuals who were once stuck in the dangerous pattern of benzodiazepine abuse have been able to achieve victory over their compulsion to abuse these substances, as well as begin living a healthy life of long-term recovery.

Statistics

Benzos Addiction Statistics

Medications containing benzodiazepines are some of the most frequently prescribed medications within the country, with over 50 million benzo prescriptions being written yearly. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that a 2008 study showed that 5.2% of American adults between the ages of 18 and 80 received a prescription for benzodiazepines that year. Women obtained twice as many benzos as men did that year.

Data collected by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) states that more than 30% of drug-related emergency room visits are linked to the abuse of benzodiazepines. The American Psychological Association (APA) also reports that 0.2% of Americans suffer from a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder in a given year.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Benzodiazepine Addiction

An individual’s vulnerability for abusing benzodiazepines or developing a benzodiazepine use disorder can be influenced by a number of factors, including the following:

Genetic: The APA notes that genetics play a major role in the development of benzodiazepine use disorders, as the genetic predisposition to this disorder becomes more obvious in individuals as they move through adolescence into adulthood.

Environmental: The risk for benzodiazepine use disorder is heightened when an individual is within an environment where these substances are easily accessible and available. Medications that contain these substances are readily available throughout the country, which means that this widespread use can lead individuals into obtaining benzos through borrowing, fraud, or theft.

Risk Factors:

Having access to benzodiazepines
Early use of benzodiazepines
Being female
Impulsivity or novelty-seeking temperament
Having alcohol use disorder

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Benzos Addiction

Below are the signs and symptoms that serve as some of the most common indicators that an individual might be abusing benzodiazepines or has developed benzodiazepine use disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

Borrowing or stealing medications
Using prescribed medications in ways other than prescribed
Lying or being otherwise deceptive about activities
Withdrawing from family and friends
Visiting numerous doctors in an attempt to obtain multiple prescriptions

Physical symptoms:

Irregular heartbeat
Tremors in hands
Slurred speech
Blurry vision
Irregular breathing
Coordination and motor skills problems

Cognitive symptoms:

Paranoia
Confusion
Diminished inhibitions
Retrograde amnesia
Problems focusing or concentrating
Nightmares
Poor judgment

Psychosocial symptoms:

Inability to experience pleasure
Mood swings
Depression
Irritability
Anxiety

Effects

Effects of Benzodiazepine Addiction

The continued abuse of benzodiazepines can lead to a myriad of negative outcomes, some of which can include:

Suicidal ideation
Suicide attempts
Confusion and disorientation
Problems with memory and concentration
Self-harm
Withdrawal and isolation
Vision problems
Sleep disruptions
Depression
Legal problems, including arrest and incarceration
Family discord, including separation or divorce
Damaged or destroyed interpersonal relationships
Financial distress
Poor job performance, possibly leading to unemployment

Co-Occurring Disorders

Benzodiazepine Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

Those who have been diagnosed with a benzodiazepine use disorder might be at a heightened risk for experiencing the following co-occurring disorders:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Schizophrenia
Other substance use disorders
Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorders
Anxiety disorders

Withdrawal & Overdose

Know the effects of Benzos Withdrawal & Overdose

Effects of benzodiazepine withdrawal: When an individual has developed a dependency to a benzodiazepine, trying to stop or cut back on his or her use can bring about uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as:

Suicidal ideation
Strong drug cravings
Agitation
Depression
Vomiting
Tremors
Nausea
Tinnitus
Sleep disturbances
Irritability
Muscle pain
Anxiety
Panic
Heart palpitations

Effects of benzodiazepine overdose: When an individual consumes too large an amount of benzodiazepines for his or her body to metabolize it, overdose occurs. Anyone who shows the symptoms listed below following the abuse of one or more benzos should seek immediate medical attention: