How to Tell if Someone is on Benzos
What are Benzos
Benzodiazepines or benzos are central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures, among other disorders.
Xanax and Valium are two of the most common benzodiazepines.
While there are approved medical uses for benzos, they are also highly addictive.
Benzos can lead to physical dependence, especially when they are abused.
If you or someone you love is abusing benzos, our benzodiazepine addiction treatments can help.
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Common Side Effects of Benzos
While abusing benzos worsens their side effects and the potential for addiction, they can be addictive even when following a prescription.
In both illicit and prescription benzodiazepine use, benzos decrease feelings of anxiety and panic by slowing your brain activity and nerve impulses.
These are the side effects that are the most appealing in both settings.
And while both types of benzo use can end in addiction, illicit drugs are often more dangerous than prescriptions.
Drugs sold on the street are often laced with or used alongside other substances.
This opens the door to many troubling side effects, including fatal accidental overdoses.
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Commonly Abused Benzos
There are many different prescription and illicit benzodiazepines. Some of the most common benzos, after Xanax and Valium, are Klonopin, Ativan, and Rohypnol. Most prescriptions direct you to swallow benzodiazepine pills. Valium is an exception to this rule because it may come in the form of an injection. But in illicit use of benzos, traditional methods are less common. Individuals who abuse benzodiazepines often do so by crushing and snorting the pills.
This leads to a faster, more intense high because it shortens the time between ingestion and reaction. This method of abuse also increases the likelihood of an overdose. Because they are addictive and have a high potential for abuse, doctors tend to recommend prescriptions for benzodiazepines be capped at four weeks. These potent medications should be used for less than four consecutive weeks even if there is a continued medical need. But this can be a difficult rule to follow. Addictions can occur quickly and illicit benzodiazepines are not difficult to find. Choosing benzodiazepine addiction care can make it easier to build a sober, healthy life.
Side Effects of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Abuse
Different benzodiazepines serve different purposes and may cause different side effects. Individual factors, like your method of use, frequency, amounts, and mental health can also alter the side effects that you experience. But one that remains relatively the same across the board is the risk of overdose. Over 30% of overdoses involving opioids also involve benzodiazepines.
Both of these drugs sedate their users and suppress their breathing, as well as impairing certain cognitive functions. Because many people are prescribed both benzodiazepines and opioids simultaneously, this problem is all-too-common. Using both drugs increases your chance of an overdose, an emergency department visit, and an admission to the hospital for a drug-related emergency. Other common benzodiazepine side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
At higher dosages:
- Impaired motor coordination
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Mood swings
- Hostile or erratic behavior
- Amnesia
- Central respiratory depression
Recognizing these side effects and symptoms in someone you love is a clear sign that they are on benzos. Recognizing these side effects and symptoms in yourself is a clear sign that it is time to get help.
Benzos and Mental Health
In approved and monitored medical settings, benzodiazepines can be useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and cerebral palsy. They can also relieve severe muscle spasms, reduce withdrawal symptoms of certain drugs, and soothe patients before invasive surgeries. Benzos are given to treat many mental health symptoms but they often worsen them. Their calming effects are short-lived and their potential side effects and eventual withdrawal symptoms tend to be more detrimental than the original problem they were used to treat.
These habit-forming sedatives alter your brain chemistry. These alterations can change your level of consciousness, as well as your thoughts and behaviors. Impaired memory, confusion, and depressive episodes are common. Our holistic recovery programs help improve both your mental and physical health. If you are battling both addiction and a mental health disorder, our highly specialized dual diagnosis program may be right for you.
Signs Someone is Addicted to Benzos
You can tell that someone is using benzodiazepines by looking out for the related symptoms and side effects. But if you are looking for signs that someone is addicted to benzos, the signs may be slightly harder to identify. One of the clearest signs that someone is addicted to benzos is through subtle to obvious behavioral changes. These include things like inexplicable sluggishness and a lack of interest in daily activities or responsibilities. Frequently switching doctors or experiencing withdrawal symptoms are two additional signs. Health impairments and loss of control are others.
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Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Options
When it comes to potent and potentially dangerous drugs like benzos, we often recommend inpatient care over other treatment options. This type of program begins with a personalized detox. This detox may be medically-assisted to ease your withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Medical detoxes help clients feel more comfortable and confident in the stage of early sobriety. They also eliminate distractions, helping you clear your mind in a safe and comfortable space. For us, monitored medical detoxes make it easier for us to track your progress. Facing your withdrawal symptoms alone can be scary, uncomfortable, and painful. Starting with medical detox can simplify the process.
From there, an inpatient program would offer you 24-hour care and support. You would attend therapy sessions, support group meetings, and training for things like life skills and relapse prevention. You would enjoy three healthy meals and recreational activities, like beach trips, yoga, fitness classes, and meditation sessions. You would receive a holistic, well-rounded, and dedicated treatment program. In any of our other treatment programs, you will receive the same level of care through many of the same treatment methods. You will simply spend less time in our facility each week.
Choosing the Right Addiction Program for Benzos
In addition to inpatient or residential care programs, we offer several other proven programs. These include partial hospitalization programs, traditional and intensive outpatient programs, dual diagnosis programs, and aftercare services. 12-step programs, trauma-informed care, and other specialized programs may also be available. Choosing the right addiction program does not have to be a daunting task. We will work with you to evaluate your addiction, mental health, and other needs before choosing a program. We will choose the right program and personalize it to ensure that it meets your unique needs. We will monitor your progress to ensure that we are giving you the best care possible and adjusting when it is necessary.
Paying for Ecstasy Treatment Programs
Plans and coverage amounts may vary, but most health insurance providers offer coverage for addiction care programs. And we work with most major health insurance providers. If you have health insurance, but you are not sure what is covered, please call our admissions counselor to receive a complimentary insurance verification. Once we know what is covered, we can help you plan for the next steps. If you do not have health insurance, please ask about our alternative payment options.
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Choosing Resurgence Behavioral Health
Choosing Resurgence Behavioral Health boils down to choosing addiction care that just works.
We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions to addiction.
We believe in personalized, well-rounded, and effective recovery programs.
It is time to choose a better way.
Call us to get started today.
