What Are Benzos?
Benzodiazepines or ‘benzos’ are a class of drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they are also effective in treating several other conditions, such as insomnia, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
All benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA_A receptor, resulting in sedative, sleep-inducing (hypnotic), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.
Some prescription benzos include:
- Alprazolam (Xanax): A benzo commonly prescribed for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
- Diazepam (Valium): It’s primarily used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures.
- Lorazepam (Ativan): This is typically prescribed to alleviate short-term symptoms of anxiety.
- Clonazepam (Klonopin): A benzo prescribed for anxiety, panic disorder, and a movement disorder known as akathisia.
- Temazepam (Restoril): A benzo most commonly used to treat insomnia.
- Flurazepam (Dalmane): Another benzodiazepine sometimes used to treat symptoms of insomnia.
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium): Librium is most often used to manage acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Oxazepam (Serax): Serax is used to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, although it can also be used for treating irritable bowel syndrome.
The Risks of Benzo Addiction
Benzodiazepines are controlled substances in the U.S. due to their addictive properties. Benzo addiction is a serious problem in the United States in particular. Benzodiazepines are one of only three categories of drugs that have potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. The other two are alcohol and barbiturates.
When a person is physically addicted to benzos, alcohol, or barbiturates, it can be very dangerous to abruptly stop using them. The mental withdrawal symptoms are extremely unpleasant – but it is the physical withdrawal symptoms that are dangerous and potentially fatal in extreme circumstances.
Any person who is dependent on benzodiazepines, even if taken as prescribed, should take great care when stopping the medication. Titrating off of benzodiazepines can be done safely, but it must always be done under medical supervision. Someone who is taking benzodiazepines illicitly or in an amount greater than prescribed should seriously consider a medical detox.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
While these medications can be effective when used properly and under a doctor’s supervision, they can also lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if usage is decreased rapidly or stopped abruptly.
The potential for benzo addiction and increasing awareness of addiction in the medical community has led to fewer people being prescribed these medications, especially for long-term use. It is also helping to fuel the development and use of non-narcotic medications for anxiety and other conditions that were often treated with benzos in the past.
Physical Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
- Tremors: The patient might experience shaking or trembling, particularly in the hands.
- Nausea: This could range from a general upset stomach to bouts of vomiting.
- Loss of appetite: The patient might experience a significant decrease in hunger.
- Headaches: These could range from mild to severe and may be persistent.
- Sweating: The patient might sweat excessively, even without physical exertion.
- Muscle pain and stiffness: This could occur in any part of the body.
- Seizures: In severe cases, patients could experience convulsions.
- Heart palpitations: This can feel like the heart is racing or fluttering.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: This might make the patient feel unstable or dizzy.
Psychological Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
- Anxiety: Benzo withdrawal can cause rebound anxiety.
- Depression: This could include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair.
- Irritability: The patient might become easily annoyed or angered.
- Restlessness: Difficulty sitting still or a constant feeling of needing to move.
- Insomnia: Benzo withdrawal often leads to difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Confusion/disorientation: Trouble thinking clearly, feeling out of touch with reality.
- Memory problems: Forgetfulness or difficulty remembering recent events.
- Hallucinations: In severe cases, patients might see or hear things that aren’t there.
Where Do Benzos Come From?
For many years, conditions like anxiety and panic disorders were treated with a class of controlled drugs called barbiturates. While barbiturates were effective, they had some shortcomings and undesirable side effects. Benzos were developed, in part, to introduce an alternative to barbiturates with fewer side effects and a wider range of potential therapeutic use cases.
Benzodiazepines were first developed in the mid-1950s. The first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), was synthesized in 1955 by a chemist named Leo Sternbach who was working at Hoffmann–La Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company.
Librium began to be prescribed in 1961. Another well-known benzodiazepine, diazepam (Valium), was patented by Hoffmann-La Roche in 1958. Since then, many more benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin, among others, have been developed.
Benzos, Barbiturates and Anxiety Medications Today
While both barbiturates and benzodiazepines remain in widespread use, our understanding of addiction has grown in the last few decades. This has led to more careful prescribing and less reliance on benzodiazepines and other controlled substances for long-term use. It is also helping to drive the adoption of safer, non-narcotic alternatives. That said, there are still circumstances where a controlled substance like a benzo, is the right tool for the job.
You should always discuss any concerns you have about addiction with your doctor before being prescribed a benzodiazepine or any controlled substance. This is especially important if you have experienced a substance use disorder before or have a family history of addiction. In many cases, your doctor will be able to prescribe a non-narcotic alternative like BuSpar (buspirone) or Vistaril (hydroxyzine), for anxiety.
Understanding Benzo Addiction
The key thing to know about benzodiazepine addiction is that any person who takes benzos daily or almost daily, even as prescribed, for a long period, will develop a physical dependence on benzos. This means that even if you take Xanax, for example, every day according to doctor’s orders and you suddenly stop, you will very likely experience some physical discomfort.
It’s also easy to become psychologically dependent upon benzos. Meaning they become a source of comfort and you reach a place where you feel like you cannot do certain things or go certain places without them, for example.
Like all dependence, benzo dependence is a spectrum. If you have a medical condition that your doctor believes benzodiazepines are the only, or best solution for and you take them as prescribed, then a certain amount of dependence may be acceptable to you.
When Benzodiazepine Use Becomes a Substance Use Disorder
When benzo addiction becomes a problem is when you go outside of those lines. For example, taking benzodiazepines that aren’t prescribed to you, or taking more than prescribed or contrary to a doctor’s orders. Addiction is a formidable enemy. It has a way of sneaking into a person’s life and taking them hostage before they are even aware it is happening. But help is available and millions of people have recovered from benzo addiction successfully.
It’s important to know that benzo addiction is not a moral failing or a sign of weakness or bad character. Anyone can become addicted to benzos. It is also a fact that anyone can recover from benzodiazepine addiction. Recovery requires willingness and courage. The willingness to follow directions and the courage to try a new way of living – but you or your loved one CAN do it, with the right help and support.
Treatment for Benzodiazepine Dependence
If you or someone else you know is addicted to benzos, Redemption Recovery can help. We work closely with dedicated medical detox facilities and offer a complete benzodiazepine addiction treatment program.
We can build a comprehensive addiction treatment plan which includes dual-diagnosis care for any co-occurring mental health disorders. The only catch is that you have to make the first move.
Redemption Recovery is ready to help you or the person you love conquer their benzo addiction. We offer a range of treatment options from partial hospitalization programs (PHP) to intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient programs in Ohio. All it takes is a phone call to (419) 528-8007 to begin.
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