Benzodiazepine Addiction

Benzodiazepine Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment in South Carolina

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that calm the central nervous system. Doctors prescribe them short-term to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia.[1] They work to manage these conditions by causing a sedative effect.

While benzodiazepines have legitimate medicinal uses, they are also habit-forming and addictive. The side effects of benzodiazepines may include drowsiness, dizziness, euphoria, and an overwhelming feeling of calm. If you use benzodiazepines long-term, you could develop a substance use disorder.

Some of the signs of benzodiazepine addiction include using large doses of benzodiazepines at once, experiencing cravings to abuse them, developing a tolerance, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop consuming them. Unfortunately, benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening without professional detox care. For this reason, you should always seek help from an addiction treatment program when quitting benzodiazepines.

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription drugs that cause a sedative effect. They can help manage anxiety conditions, seizure disorders, and even the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. That said, it is possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on them.

Examples of benzodiazepines include:[1]

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Midazolam (Versed)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

Benzodiazepines can lead to a variety of side effects, including a mind-altering effect that involves dizziness, drowsiness, and euphoria. If you begin abusing benzodiazepines to experience a high, you will become physically dependent. In this case, professional addiction treatment is necessary to achieve long-term sobriety.

Since long-term benzodiazepine abuse can lead to cognitive impairments, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal, and an increased risk of injury, you should always seek help.[2] Substance abuse treatment programs will offer a variety of services to ensure that you achieve long-term recovery.

What are the Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?

If you misuse benzodiazepines, you might be wondering how to tell if you have developed a substance use disorder. Sometimes, it can be difficult to spot the signs of addiction in yourself. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to identify whether you are struggling with a substance abuse issue.

The signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction include:[3]

• Having a hard time controlling how much benzodiazepines you use
• Experiencing cravings and urges to misuse them
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, abusing, and recovering from the use of them
• Continuing to use benzos despite experiencing worsened physical and mental health
• Getting into risky situations because of benzo abuse, including driving under the influence
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities and isolating from friends or loved ones
• Wanting to quit using them but being unsuccessful
• Needing to increase your dose to experience the desired effect
• Mixing them with other substances to increase your high
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them

The main signs of addiction include psychological cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need treatment from a professional drug rehab center. These programs offer a variety of services to help you recover, including medical detox and behavioral therapies.

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How Does Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction Work?

If you are suffering from benzodiazepine addiction, professional treatment is necessary. The first step in recovery is medical detox. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can involve symptoms like seizures, so medical detox is vital to your health.

After you complete detox, you will participate in a combination of individual and group therapy. You might also be provided with medications to replace benzodiazepines if you were taking them for a medical reason. Addiction treatment programs also provide relapse prevention planning, which teaches you how to overcome triggers for substance abuse.

During a benzodiazepine rehab program, you can expect:

Assessment

Once you arrive at a treatment center, addiction specialists will provide you with an in-depth assessment. They will ask questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of benzodiazepine abuse. This provides them with the information necessary to create an individualized treatment plan.

Medical Detox

Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. This step of treatment involves using medications to lessen the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal.

The symptoms of benzo withdrawal may include:[4]

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shaking and tremors
• Muscle pains and aches
• Headaches
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Excessive sweating
• Seizures
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia
• Psychosis

Doctors will prescribe a replacement benzodiazepine to slowly taper you off of the substance. This means your dosage will be lowered until your body is adjusted to the absence of benzodiazepines. Doing this prevents serious withdrawal symptoms like seizures and psychosis.

Evidence-Based Therapies

Once you complete detox, you will begin therapy. Therapies are used to address the root causes of your addiction. This could be an underlying mental illness, childhood trauma, or environmental factors like early exposure to drugs.

You will participate in both individual therapy and group counseling. The types of therapies used to treat substance abuse include:[5]

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Contingency management (CM)
• The matrix model
• 12-step facilitation therapy
• Family behavior therapy 

Relapse Prevention Planning and Aftercare

Lastly, before you complete benzo rehab you will participate in relapse prevention planning. This process involves identifying triggers for relapse and developing coping mechanisms to overcome them.

Another part of relapse prevention is aftercare services. These are supports offered to you after you complete your program. Aftercare helps you stay connected to addiction recovery once you are independent.

Aftercare services may include:

• Continued therapy
• Medication management
• Access to an alumni support group
• Referrals to outpatient rehab and sober living programs
• Recommendations on local support groups to attend
• Case management services like vocational training and legal assistance

Find Help for Benzodiazepine Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one suffers from benzodiazepine addiction, it’s time to seek help. Drug rehab programs can help you regain control over your life and achieve long-term recovery from addiction.

At The South Carolina Addiction Treatment Center, we offer evidence-based treatments for benzodiazepine addiction. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.

References:

1. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Benzodiazepines 
2. The American Family Physician (AAFP): Risks Associated with Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
3. The National Library of Medicine (NLM): DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence
4. Sage Journals: Experiences with benzodiazepine use, tapering, and discontinuation: an Internet survey
5. Science Direct: Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders