Benzo Addiction
Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are some of the most widely prescribed prescription drugs on the market and make up a significant portion of drug abuse cases. Their popularity increases the potential for individuals who try the drug, either recreationally or through a legitimate prescription, to eventually become addicted to benzos. In 2014, benzos were recognized as being one of the most common drug types responsible for a new wave of accidental overdoses. The specific dangers that this type of drug poses to the public have resulted in an uptick in demand for successful benzo addiction treatment. At BetterAddictionCare, we work with a nationwide network of top rehab centers that specialize in benzodiazepine addiction treatment so that addicts and their loved ones can get help the moment they acknowledge a problem.
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Withdrawal from benzos can be a tough, long, and complex process that can be compounded by the presence of additional addictions. Dependence on other sedative drugs or alcohol may increase the possibility of reliance on benzos and can require specialized benzodiazepine addiction treatment. While serious complications or fatalities rarely arise from prolonged abuse of benzos on their own, their use alongside other prescription medications, narcotics, and alcohol significantly increases the chances that individuals will experience severe addictions and potentially dangerous events, like overdoses or even death. Attempting to go through withdrawal from them without professional, individualized care may cause harm to the patient.
Side effects from extended use or sudden withdrawal from benzos can often be serious and intense. Given the strong, physical hold that benzos can have on their users, effective inpatient treatment is often necessary for an addict to enjoy long-term recovery. It is ill-advised for addicts to try to manage withdrawal and detox on their own. Dependence on this drug can also be psychological, which is why users should find the right addiction counseling to accompany their detox and rehabilitation program. Addiction to this type of drug can present itself as other illnesses or disorders, and to further complicate matters, withdrawal symptoms may mirror the very illnesses that benzos were prescribed to treat. Due to the ubiquity of these medications and the fact that their abuse symptoms can sometimes go unnoticed, it can be difficult to spot an addiction to benzodiazepines, but it’s imperative that a benzo addict gets treatment as soon as possible.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has underscored the seriousness of benzodiazepine addiction and the current crisis that faces the nation through research determining that between 2002 and 2015, the number of deaths related to benzodiazepines increased 4.3 times over. Furthermore, the number of benzodiazepine-related fatalities involving opioids was two times greater that the number not involving opioids. When individuals use benzos in conjunction with opiates, or another addictive substance like alcohol, the severity of their addiction can be especially harrowing, and successful recovery can require the assistance of highly trained specialists.
Contact BetterAddictionCare now if you need help ending your addiction to benzos. The rehab centers in our recovery network employ professionals who understand the intricacies of benzodiazepine addiction and can develop customized to increase the chances of addiction recovery in even the most severe of cases. We’ll match you with the treatment program that’s best for your needs and can help you get sober and start healing. Call today.
Resources
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).
Lader, M. (2011).
Ashton, H. (2005).
American Psychiatric Association. (2013).
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015).
Gowing, L. R., Ali, R., & White, J. M. (2015).
Vicens, C., Fiol, F., & Llorens, C. (2013).
Schmitz, A., & Votaw, V. R. (2017).
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