Benzodiazepines or “benzos,” including Ativan, Xanax, and Klonopin, are anxiolytic medications widely prescribed for conditions involving anxiety or insomnia. These anti-anxiety agents are considered safe and – even in the case of an overdose – rarely result in death when taken in the absence of other substances. However, due to the relief experienced after long-term anxiety or insomnia is decreased or eliminated, they can become addicting.

Signs of benzodiazepine addiction include:

• Failure or inability to reduce doses or stop using benzodiazepines
• Feeling unable to function without benzodiazepines
• Increased tolerance of the effects of benzodiazepines, requiring higher doses to achieve the same outcome
• Withdrawal symptoms (including depersonalization, anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, physical tremors, and sleep disturbances) when doses of the drugs are reduced or eliminated

Benzodiazepine addicts often display self-harming behavior and suicidal tendencies, especially in young people. In rare cases, withdrawal from the drug can also result in psychosis and convulsions.

Treatments for benzodiazepine addiction generally begin with a slow detoxification process, eventually weaning a person away from the effects of the drugs while attempting to decrease the severity of the symptoms of withdrawal. As a follow-up to the detoxification program, recovering addicts are encouraged to pursue psychological therapy, group therapy, and other programs to prevent the possibility of relapse.

Benzodiazepine addiction can be difficult, especially when it stems from a desire to relieve symptoms of anxiety or other mental health conditions. UCLA Dual Diagnosis understands the complexities behind substance addiction and the comorbid conditions that have been linked to it; schedule an appointment to learn how we can help you recover from both the physical and psychological consequences of untreated addiction and other psychiatric conditions.

Sources

• www.semel.ucla.edu
• www.aafp.org
• www.blueridgemountainrecovery.com

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