Benzodiazepine Addiction
Treatment and Recovery
in Chardon, OH
Overview:
Chardon BENZODIAZEPINE Abuse & Addiction Recovery
Overview:
Chardon BENZODIAZEPINE Abuse
& Addiction Recovery
Benzodiazepines can be useful medications to treat anxiety, seizures, and panic disorders, but unfortunately, they can be addictive and lead to abuse and other health issues, even when taken as prescribed. If someone is taking benzodiazepines with other substances, these risks are even greater, and it’s estimated that 80% of people abusing benzodiazepines are also abusing at least one other drug at the same time [1].
At Prosperity Haven, we know how important it is for our clients and their loved ones to understand the risks involved with benzodiazepine use and abuse. Below, you can learn more about benzodiazepines, signs of abuse, withdrawal risks, and how our addiction recovery programs at Prosperity Haven can help clients overcome their benzo addiction.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, also called “benzos,” are a class of drugs used medically to sedate and suppress the central nervous system. This is useful for treating panic, anxiety, and seizures. They do this by raising gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter that suppresses brain activity, emotion, and memory.
Benzodiazepines aren’t quite as addictive as some other prescription medications, notably opioid pain pills, but since they have such powerful sedative effects, they still carry a significant risk for abuse and serious side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
What Are Benzodiazepines?Benzodiazepines, also called “benzos,” are a class of drugs used medically to sedate and suppress the central nervous system. This is useful for treating panic, anxiety, and seizures. They do this by raising gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter that suppresses brain activity, emotion, and memory.
Benzodiazepines aren’t quite as addictive as some other prescription medications, notably opioid pain pills, but since they have such powerful sedative effects, they still carry a significant risk for abuse and serious side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
Mixing Benzodiazepines with Other Substances
Benzodiazepines are frequently combined with other substances, which can create dangerous interactions between the drugs. For instance, both alcohol and benzodiazepines affect GABA levels, which can lead to decreased heart rates and lung function. They’re also sometimes combined with opioids for a stronger high, leading to over 30% of opioid overdoses also involving the abuse of benzodiazepines [2].
Mixing Benzodiazepines with Other Substances
Mixing Benzodiazepines with Other SubstancesBenzodiazepines are frequently combined with other substances, which can create dangerous interactions between the drugs. For instance, both alcohol and benzodiazepines affect GABA levels, which can lead to decreased heart rates and lung function. They’re also sometimes combined with opioids for a stronger high, leading to over 30% of opioid overdoses also involving the abuse of benzodiazepines [2].
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Signs and Symptoms
of Benzo Abuse
While every addiction is different, most benzodiazepine abuse symptoms are some combination of the following:
- Mental health issues: Anxiety, panic, irritability, depression, suicidal thinking
- Poor mental performance: Memory problems, poor coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, lightheadedness, slow reaction times
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, restlessness, fatigue, dry mouth and dehydration
- Behavioral changes: Issues with work, school, and the law; more frequent use, less effect from use, and poor control over use; risky behaviors; insomnia; lowered libido
- Dangerous health risks: Dramatic shifts in heart rate and blood pressure, jaundice, respiratory problems, fainting, weakness, coma, seizures, increased risk of dementia
Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Abuse
Signs and Symptoms of Benzo AbuseWhile every addiction is different, most benzodiazepine abuse symptoms are some combination of the following:
- Mental health issues: Anxiety, panic, irritability, depression, suicidal thinking
- Poor mental performance: Memory problems, poor coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, lightheadedness, slow reaction times
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, restlessness, fatigue, dry mouth and dehydration
- Behavioral changes: Issues with work, school, and the law; more frequent use, less effect from use, and poor control over use; risky behaviors; insomnia; lowered libido
Dangerous health risks: Dramatic shifts in heart rate and blood pressure, jaundice, respiratory problems, fainting, weakness, coma, seizures, increased risk of dementia
Benzodiazepine Detox and Withdrawal
The longer someone uses or abuses benzodiazepines — even as directed by a medical professional — the greater their risk of withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. These can include:
- Acute anxiety, agitation, depression, and suicidal thoughts
- Loss of coordination
- Insomnia
- Fever-like symptoms including sweating, nausea, and vomiting
- Hallucinations, delusions, and nightmares
- Dramatic shifts in heart rate and blood pressure
- Jaundice
- Muscle tension and cramping
- Seizures
- Coma
Benzodiazepine withdrawal usually takes a few days to set in, but its symptoms can last from two weeks to several months. Like with many addictive substances, withdrawal can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, and trying to do it without professional support can be a challenge associated with low success rates. At Prosperity Haven, we give individuals struggling with benzo abuse and addiction the chance to get clean in a peaceful environment where they are able to focus fully on their own recovery.
The longer someone uses or abuses benzodiazepines — even as directed by a medical professional — the greater their risk of withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. These can include:
- Acute anxiety, agitation, depression, and suicidal thoughts
- Loss of coordination
- Insomnia
- Fever-like symptoms including sweating, nausea, and vomiting
- Hallucinations, delusions, and nightmares
- Dramatic shifts in heart rate and blood pressure
- Jaundice
- Muscle tension and cramping
- Seizures
- Coma
Benzodiazepine withdrawal usually takes a few days to set in, but its symptoms can last from two weeks to several months. Like with many addictive substances, withdrawal can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, and trying to do it without professional support can be a challenge associated with low success rates. At Prosperity Haven, we give individuals struggling with benzo abuse and addiction the chance to get clean in a peaceful environment where they are able to focus fully on their own recovery.
Benzodiazepine Detox and Withdrawal
Benzodiazepine Detox and WithdrawalThe longer someone uses or abuses benzodiazepines — even as directed by a medical professional — the greater their risk of withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. These can include:
- Acute anxiety, agitation, depression, and suicidal thoughts
- Loss of coordination
- Insomnia
- Fever-like symptoms including sweating, nausea, and vomiting
- Hallucinations, delusions, and nightmares
- Dramatic shifts in heart rate and blood pressure
- Jaundice
- Muscle tension and cramping
- Seizures
- Coma
Benzodiazepine withdrawal usually takes a few days to set in, but its symptoms can last from two weeks to several months. Like with many addictive substances, withdrawal can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, and trying to do it without professional support can be a challenge associated with low success rates. At Prosperity Haven, we give individuals struggling with benzo abuse and addiction the chance to get clean in a peaceful environment where they are able to focus fully on their own recovery.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Near Cleveland, OH
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Near Cleveland, OH
Benzodiazepine detox can be a difficult process, but fully overcoming benzodiazepine addiction is yet another journey. We’re prepared to help our clients face this challenge head-on at Prosperity Haven with a combination of individualized therapy that helps clients understand what unmet needs they were trying to use benzodiazepines to solve, and nature-based therapies that improve their overall wellness and give them the strength to manage the demanding parts of recovery.
Benzodiazepine addiction can be isolating and difficult, but with our small groups and compassionate care, we can help our clients rediscover everything life has to offer them as they move forward into healthier, sober recovery. To learn more about benzodiazepines and how our addiction treatment center near Cleveland can help, call Prosperity Haven at 440-253-9915 today.
