Benzodiazepines are a widely prescribed medication used to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders. They typically come in a pill or tablet form, but can sometimes be administered intravenously. An illegal black market exists for buying these drugs because the only way to obtain them legally is with a physician’s prescription.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for short-term or “as needed” use because the symptoms are immediate and effective. Benzodiazepines are abused when people take the wrong doses or when people without a diagnosed condition take the medications. People who abuse the medications are susceptible to developing tolerance, dependence and addiction.
Benzodiazepines are some of the most widely prescribed drugs because they are successful at treating certain conditions.
Some of these conditions include:
Benzodiazepine abuse most commonly happens when somebody takes a higher dose of the medication than they are prescribed. The body then builds up a tolerance to the drug and more is needed to achieve the same results. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 32 percent of hospital emergency department visits involving benzodiazepines resulted in serious medical outcomes such as hospitalization or death. Some Benzodiazepine cause a euphoric state or high when a large dose is taken. This high can include things like hallucinations or an intense calming sensation. people who are not prescribed Benzodiazepines will taken them to achieve these same sensations.
Some signs of Benzodiazepine abuse are:
When most people try to stop abusing Benzodiazepine, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. Dependence occurs because of a change in brain chemistry after taking the drugs. Addiction can occur with or without a prescription because Benzodiazepine are accessible. Signs of abuse can often be overlooked as symptoms of correct use.
Benzodiazepines have a high abuse potential and shouldn’t be prescribed to people who have a history or predisposition for addiction. Benzodiazepines do not pose a high overdose risk alone, but are extremely dangerous when used in congruence with other drugs or alcohol. 44 percent of emergency department visits associated with the use of benzodiazepines and alcohol resulted in serious medical outcomes. Fatal overdoses most often occur when benzodiazepines are taken with other hypnotics, antidepressants, opiates and alcohol.
To successfully treat a prescription drug addiction, treatment options must address every aspect of the addiction. A combination of behavioral and pharmacological treatments that can combat both the negative physical symptoms and the mental cravings that come with quitting.
If you feel you are starting to abuse heroin or have already become addicted, there are many programs and facilities that are dedicated to help you at any time, day or night.
Here is a compiled list of National Addiction Helplines.
For more help and information, visit Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction.