Benzodiazepines Side Effects

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Learn About Benzodiazepines Side Effects

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, benzodiazepines are a type of prescription medication use to treat anxiety and sleep problems, but there are benzodiazepines side effects, despite the fact that these medications have legitimate uses.

It is important to be aware of benzodiazepines side effects, because these medications are popular.

According to recent research, about 30.5 million adults in the U.S.

use benzodiazepines and are therefore at risk of benzodiazepines side effects.

Given the fact that there are side effects associated with these prescription medications, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed and to consult with a doctor regarding any negative effects.

Common Benzodiazepines Side Effects

According to experts, there are several common benzodiazepines side effects. These include breathing problems, confusion, drowsiness, headache, tremor, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. When combined with other drugs, benzodiazepines side effects can be especially dangerous, as they can lead to serious breathing problems. It is therefore critical to consult with a doctor or pharmacist about any other medications you are taking to ensure they will not interact negatively with benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines Side Effects During Withdrawal

Another aspect of benzodiazepines side effects are unpleasant symptoms that can occur during withdrawal, when a person stops taking benzodiazepines or reduces their dosage of these drugs. Per a report in The Mental Health Clinician, benzodiazepines side effects during withdrawal are as follows: tremor or shakiness in the hands, sleep problems, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or vomiting. In some cases, the side effects of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be more serious, causing a person to suffer from grand mal seizures.

Abuse: Another One Of The Benzodiazepines Side Effects

While benzodiazepines do have legitimate medical uses, there is a potential for people to abuse these medications. This means that drug abuse is another one of the benzodiazepines side effects. According to research, 17.1 percent of benzodiazepine users are actually abusing these drugs. There are several reasons that people may misuse benzodiazepines, but the most common reason, according to research, is to relax or relieve tension. Nearly half of all people who abuse benzodiazepines do so for this reason, but other reasons for benzodiazepine abuse include to help with sleep, to help cope with emotions, and to get high or experiment.

One concern with benzodiazepine abuse is the fact that most people who abuse benzodiazepines are getting these drugs from a friend or family member, whereas only 20 percent have a prescription. Unfortunately, this suggests that many people who abuse benzodiazepines are not under the care of a doctor and are not consulting with a professional to discuss benzodiazepines side effects. This is especially risky, and it is linked to a number of consequences, including mental health problems, suicidal thoughts, and visits to the emergency room. Over time, benzodiazepine use can also lead to an addiction.

Addiction Is One Of The More Devastating Benzodiazepines Side Effects

Unfortunately, ongoing benzodiazepine abuse can lead to addiction, which is one of the more serious benzodiazepines side effects. A benzodiazepine addiction is a legitimate medical condition that requires treatment, and the clinical name for a benzodiazepine addiction is an anxiolytic use disorder.

Some signs that a person has a benzodiazepine addiction or anxiolytic use disorder are as follows: using larger quantities of benzodiazepines than intended, experiencing strong benzodiazepine cravings, being unable to stop using benzodiazepines despite desiring to do so, and giving up other activities in favor of benzodiazepine use.

Someone who is addicted to benzodiazepines is also likely to continue using benzodiazepines even when it causes serious consequences, such as relationship problems, difficulty fulfilling duties at work, or benzodiazepines side effects like health problems or mental health issues.

Recovering From Benzodiazepine Addiction

If you have any of the above symptoms, you may have developed a benzodiazepine addiction, which means you will need to go to treatment or benzodiazepine rehab to recover. A rehab program can help you develop the skills to cope with triggers for drug use. As experts explain, it is important to seek the help of a medical professional when trying to give up benzodiazepines, because withdrawing from these drugs can cause potentially life-threatening seizures.

Given this risk, benzodiazepine rehab should begin with a detox program, where medical staff can help you to taper your daily dose of benzodiazepines and keep you as safe and as comfortable as possible as you come off of these drugs. Following detox, it is important to get psychological treatment to address benzodiazepine addiction. According to research, when people receive psychological care as they reduce their doses of benzodiazepines, they are more likely to stop using these drugs. A specific type of counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy can help people to overcome triggers for benzodiazepine use and learn healthier ways of coping with stress or anxiety. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful, especially for people who abuse benzodiazepines to cope with anxiety.

Benzodiazepine Addiction And Mental Illness

Given the fact that benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat anxiety, it is important to consider that you may need treatment for mental illness if you have developed a benzodiazepine addiction. If this is the case, it is important to seek treatment at a dual diagnosis center, which is qualified to treat both mental illness and addiction. If you do not receive treatment for underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, it may be difficult to recover from benzodiazepine addiction. For example, if you go to benzodiazepine rehab but your anxiety goes untreated, you may find that you continue to abuse benzodiazepines in order to cope with anxiety symptoms.

California Benzodiazepine Rehab

If benzodiazepines side effects are beginning to interfere with your life and you have developed an addiction, it is time to seek treatment. For those looking for California benzodiazepine rehab, Resurgence is located in Orange County and offers detox services as well as outpatient and inpatient rehab. We are a dual diagnosis treatment center, meaning we are qualified to treat both benzodiazepine addiction and mental illness.

We create a personalized treatment plan for each one of our patients, and we offer a variety of therapeutic techniques, so there are options to meet each patient’s unique needs. If you choose Resurgence California for your stay in inpatient rehab, you will receive treatment in a home-like setting, where you will have access to California’s beautiful amenities, including beaches, piers, waterfalls, and outdoor shopping centers.

You will also participate in both individual and group counseling, as well as educational workshops and therapeutic outings. Resurgence California also provides relaxation activities, including yoga and meditation, making us a good fit if you have been abusing benzodiazepines to cope with anxiety.

Paying for California Benzodiazepine Rehab

Once you have made the choice to seek rehab to help you cope with benzodiazepines side effects, you must decide how you will cover the costs of treatment.

At Resurgence, we offer a free, confidential insurance verification program to make the process simpler.

Visit our website or give us a call, and we will tell you what services your insurance plan covers how much you can expect to pay out of pocket for benzodiazepine rehab.

We will also help you to create a private payment plan if you do not have insurance.

Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you recover from benzodiazepine addiction.

Sources:

1) https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/science-highlight/research-suggests-benzodiazepine-use-high-while-use-disorder-rates-are-low
2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/
3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007645/
4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/