Understanding The Signs Of Benzo Addiction

Benzodiazepines:

Prescriptions For Anxiety

Introduction

30% Opioid Overdose Cases that Involve Benzodiazepines

Opioid Overdose Cases that Involve Benzodiazepines

In 2017, close to 12.6 percent of the US population or nearly an eighth of Americans used benzodiazepines, according to Psychiatric Services in Advance. More than 30 percent of all opioid overdose cases also involve benzodiazepines.

Between 1996 and 2013, the number of adults who filled benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67 percent – from 8.1 million to 13.5 million.

Misuse of prescription drugs accounted for more than 17 percent of overall use. The quantity obtained also increased from 1.1 kg to 3.6 kg lorazepam equivalents per 100,000 adults. Benzo treatment centers help many individuals recognize the signs of benzo addiction and work through their addiction.

17% Misuse of Prescription Drugs

Defining Benzodiazepines

A class of prescription drugs that are used in treating medical conditions ranging from anxiety and insomnia to alcohol dependence, benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines are known to block excessive neural activity in the brain and other parts of the body’s central nervous system. While they all have a similar effect on the brain, each member of the benzodiazepine family has a distinct potency, making the length of effects different. That’s why some benzodiazepines are found to act better in comparison to others when applied to certain specific health conditions.

On the flip side, the sedative properties of benzodiazepines make them prime candidates for abuse when consumed in combination with alcohol and similar depressants. The situation is equally alarming in countries as far apart as the UK and Australia. Even developing countries have reported a growing incidence of abused benzodiazepines.

While diazepam or ‘Valium’ pills have been on the public radar for many years on account of their sedative and calming effects, flunitrazepam or the ‘date-rape drug’ has acquired notoriety in recent years because it is used in many sexual assaults.

History Of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines occupy a frontline position in the list of depressant medications most commonly prescribed in the United States. Doctors have no less than 15 types of benzodiazepine drugs to choose from when treating patients with an array of psychological and physiological health issues.

Every single type of benzodiazepine drug possesses the ability to act as an anxiety reliever, muscle relaxant, anti-convulsant, or hypnotic. In the United States, these drugs are listed under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act.

Creation

Like in the case of many pharmaceutical superstars, benzodiazepines were discovered by a quirk of fate. In the New Jersey laboratories of the Hoffman-LaRoche pharmaceutical company, Leo Sternbach noticed that when combined with methylamine, benzodiazepines formed a white powder that seemed to have a sedative, calming effect when fed to mice. Over the next couple of years, Sternbach developed several benzodiazepine drugs: diazepam, nitrazepam, flunitrazepam, and clonazepam. Diazepam or valium acquired near-iconic status and was even featured in a Rolling Stones hit number called ‘Mother’s Little Helper.’

By 1957, LaRoche launched Librium as an anti-anxiety medicine which the USFDA approved in 1960. Valium received government clearances in 1963. Soon other pharmaceutical majors hopped on the bandwagon and rolled out several benzodiazepines.

How Benzodiazepines Work

By attaching to a brain receptor, benzodiazepines activate nearby neurotransmitters which leave the user feeling calm and sleepy. The entire process takes place within a few minutes after consuming the drug.

However, even when taken in prescribed doses and for the stipulated time-frame of 2 to 4 weeks, benzodiazepines can result in drug tolerance levels in users. Once drug abuse starts, discontinuation of the drug leads to serious withdrawal effects. That is why recovery from the drugs needs to be medically supervised in a controlled manner. Knowing how benzodiazepines work along with the signs of benzo addiction is important in order to receive proper treatment.

How Benzodiazepines Are Taken

Benzodiazepines are administered in different ways depending upon the specific drug and purpose. They are prescribed for oral consumption – as a pill or in capsule form and as intravenous medication. They can also be injected into the muscle or administered as a suppository.

Midazolam

Available under the brand name Versed, which was subsequently discontinued. Midazolam is used for controlled sedation in preoperative situations. It is also used in general anesthesia induction and treatment of seizures. It has a half-life of 2.5 hours and is considered a short-acting drug.

Triazolam

Marketed under the brand name Halcion, Triazolam is used in the short-term use of insomnia. It is a short-acting drug with a half-life of 2-5 hours.

Estazolam

Earlier available under the brand name ProSom, which was later discontinued. A medium-acting drug with a half-life of 10-24 hours, it finds short-term use in the treatment of insomnia.

Temazepam

Available under the Restoril brand is prescribed for short-term usage in tackling insomnia. It has a half-life between 10-20 hours and is categorized as a medium-acting drug.

Chlordiazepoxide

A half-life between 30-100 hours and denoted as a long-acting drug. Available under the brand Librum, it is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorder treatment and alcohol withdrawal.

Flurazepam

Used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. It has a half-life of flight40-100 hours and is a long-acting drug.

Common Reasons For Benzodiazepines

Medical Procedures

In procedural sedation, a combination of medications is administered to help relax the patient with a sedative and block pain with an anesthetic in medical or dental procedures. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or midazolam are commonly used in such procedures. Such sedation is usually employed for outpatient surgery or procedures. Patients can return home the same day.

Typical examples where benzodiazepines are used range from:

• Endoscopy procedures
• Biopsies
• Wisdom tooth extractions
• Uncomplicated surgical procedures that last an hour or less

Diazepam and midazolam are commonly used in such procedures. The patient is awake but in a sedated state and therefore not able to recall the procedure. Patients can understand verbal cues or tactile commands and respond to them. In this type of sedation, the patient recovers more quickly from the effects of anesthesia. However, the drowsiness will persist for a day, so self-driving must be avoided at all costs.

Seizures

Benzodiazepines such as clobazam, clorazepate, clonazepam, midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam are also deployed to treat seizures.

For acute or prolonged types of seizures known medically as status epilepticus, the first line of treatment is usually intravenous (IV) or rectal application of benzodiazepines if IV is unavailable. Status epilepticus comprises continued seizure activity for more than 30 minutes or two bouts of seizures devoid of consciousness in between them.

However, benzodiazepines are not recommended in the long-term treatment of epilepsy because of the risk of tolerance development in a high ratio of patients.

Panic Disorders

Panic disorder is a typical anxiety disorder that affects about 6 million American adults, or roughly 2.7% of the US population. The condition is characterized by repeated feelings of intense fear that are either expected or unexpected.

Such symptoms are likely to trigger a variety of physical symptoms such as:

• Rapid heart rate
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Fear of death, or losing control

These physical symptoms mimic the body’s usual ‘fight or flight’ response mechanism to danger. Panic attacks may also be accompanied by mood disorders ranging from depression, anxiety, or those prompted by substance abuse.

Generally, benzodiazepines are prescribed initially to reduce the symptoms of panic disorders and thus allow antidepressants to initiate their impact. Diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and alprazolam are effective in tackling this health condition.

Treatments for panic disorders include selective-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), along with behavioral therapy in some cases.

Benzodiazepines are also used for a short time to avoid dependence. When treatment is complete, the dosage of benzodiazepines is gradually decreased to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Signs Of Benzo Addiction

Other possible reactions of IV administration include:

• Hypotension or low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate
• Abnormal heart rates
• Sleep apnea
• Slowed breathing
• Nausea/vomiting
• Blurred or double vision

Some of the benzodiazepines (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) contain active metabolites that stay in the system for longer periods, making it especially problematic for older patients. Elderly patients are likely to suffer from liver impairment. They could also have difficulty fleshing out the drugs from their bodies.

Handling Signs Of Benzo Addiction And Withdrawal Symptoms

Discontinuation of a benzodiazepine should be attempted gradually under a doctor’s guidance. Since benzo addiction withdrawal symptoms may be severe, the process must always be done under the guidance and supervision of a trained medical practitioner.

The time required to successfully manage a benzodiazepine withdrawal depends upon several factors such as the type of benzodiazepine used, individual patient characteristics, the patient’s ability to handle withdrawal-related stress, and the original objective of the benzodiazepine use. Benzo addiction recovery is possible, but as mentioned, it often requires medical and clinical support groups.

It may take between 4 weeks and six months to gradually bring down a benzodiazepine dosage. During this period, the dosage is reduced every week by not more than a quarter of the daily dosage. However, at a rehab for benzodiazepine addiction, the ‘weaning away’ period can last for more than a year in some cases. Alternatively, patients can be prescribed diazepam or chlordiazepoxide in similar dosages to facilitate a smoother withdrawal.

Recognizing The Signs Of Benzo Addiction And How To Recover

Recovery from any type of substance abuse is hard, especially if you don’t know the signs of benzo addiction. Many physical and emotional effects can be distressing. If you are looking for rehab for benzodiazepine addiction, CNV Detox can help.

Treatment facilities, like CNV Detox, can help you recognize the signs of benzo addiction, navigate through your recovery, and most importantly, help you stay sober long-term.