The dangers of benzodiazepine use are not quite as well known as the dangers of misusing other prescription drugs, such as opiates. Still, it’s important for anyone who may be using these drugs, or who knows someone that uses them, to have a clear picture of just how serious they are and to know when to seek benzo addiction treatment. Below is a basic guide to everything you need to know about benzodiazepine addiction and withdrawal.
If you need a benzo addiction treatment center in California, reach out to Virtues Behavioral Health today by calling 855.579.8599. We will help you begin on the road to a safe recovery.
What Are Benzos?
Benzodiazepines, otherwise known as benzos, are psychoactive medications intended to treat seizures, insomnia, and anxiety. While they have proven effective in certain instances at helping those with panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and epilepsy, they can be abused by recreational drug users, who, after prolonged use, can become physically addicted and experience potentially deadly seizures during the withdrawal process.
Common examples of benzos are Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, Diazepam, and Lorazepam, but there are several other drugs in the same class. If you find that a loved one has been showing signs of drug abuse, and you find any of these drugs in their possession when they don’t have a prescription, you may want to talk to them about checking into a benzo rehab center in Los Angeles.
What Is Benzo Addiction?
The sedative and inhibition-lowering effects of the benzo class of drugs are considered desirable to many recreational drug users, but the drug is highly addictive and has a high potential for causing chaos in the user’s life. With their inhibitions lowered by the drug, benzo users can exhibit poor decision-making and do socially unacceptable things that they would not otherwise do. This can result in serious interpersonal or even legal trouble.
The irony of benzodiazepines is that excessive use of them can result in what is known as “paradoxical effects,” which means that they can do the opposite of what they’re intended to, particularly when they are being abused. Excessive benzo use can result in anger, irritation, aggression, and anxiety instead of calming and relaxing the user. Coupled with the cognitive impairment and impulsivity these drugs can cause, these paradoxical effects can become quite dangerous for the user and everyone around them.
Signs of Benzo Withdrawal
Benzodiazepines are not only powerful and addictive, they are potentially deadly. Much like with alcohol, the withdrawals accompanying the benzo detoxification process can result in seizures severe enough to kill you. This makes benzos one of the most difficult drugs to quit. It also makes it absolutely vital that detoxing is done under medical supervision at a benzo addiction treatment center.
Below are some of the symptoms you may experience when going through benzo withdrawal:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Muscle spasms
- Headache
- Perspiration
- Elevated heart rate
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Cognitive impairment
- Sensitivity to light
- Abnormal tactile sensations
- Hallucinations
- Grand mal seizures
For some, these symptoms can begin to lessen within four or five days, but they can last for weeks for others. There’s even a small chance that kicking benzos can result in “protracted withdrawal” symptoms which can come and go for several months.
Fortunately, there are benzo addiction treatment centers that can provide you with the medical care you need when you’re trying to detox from benzodiazepines. However, you must make the decision on your own to seek the help that you need.
Start the Journey to Recovery at a Benzo Rehab Center in Los Angeles
Looking for a benzo addiction treatment center in California? We have specialists ready to help. When you’re ready to begin on your road to recovery, contact Virtues Behavioral Health online or call 855.579.8599 today.
