Can You Become Addicted to Benzodiazepines?

Can You Become Addicted to Benzodiazepines?

Oftentimes illegal drug use stems from misuse of a prescription drug. This initial misuse can lead to tolerance and act as a gateway for more improper use and illegal ingestion of the drug. 

Benzodiazepines are a category of prescription drug that can be misused. To understand whether or not you or a loved one are struggling with benzos, it is important to know what it is, how it impacts the body, what withdrawal symptoms look like and how to get help for benzodiazepine addiction.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction Starbridge Recovery can help.

What Are Benzodiazepines and How Do They Affect the Body?

Can you become addicted to benzodiazepines? Yes, you can.

Benzodiazepines are a Schedule IV controlled substance. They can be prescribed by a doctor for anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Benzodiazepines are a psychoactive sedative that slows down the body causing a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. 

Prescription benzodiazepines include Xanax, Valium, Halcion, Ativan, and Klonopin. 

Commonly known as “benzos,” “tranks,” and “downers,” these drugs can be extremely fast acting. Some benzodiazepines have the ability to stop seizures within seconds. Benzos are administered in tablet form, but are also accessible in injection and a syrup. 

The DEA fact sheet indicates that benzodiazepines are often combined with heroin and cocaine. By combining with an opioid, users can experience enhanced euphoria. However, this can increase negative side effects like amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid disturbing dreams or hallucinations.

What Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome?

If you or a loved one are considering quitting bezos, please be aware of withdrawal from benzodiazepines. It is important to do this under the care of a medical professional. Benzodiazepines have an extensive impact on the body and withdrawal will not only be physically difficult, but mentally challenging as well. 

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome can last up to 14 days and is characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, sweating, difficulty concentrating, nausea, weight loss, heart palpitations, headaches, muscle cramps or stiffness, and perceptual changes. In high-dosage situations, including chronic illegal use, it can cause seizures and psychotic reactions. 

By going through benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome at a residential inpatient facility, you will have access to medically supported detoxification where a doctor can monitor your progress, offer FDA approved medications to facilitate withdrawal and offer counseling and therapy to break the addiction cycle.

If you are looking for medically monitored alcohol and drug detox, contact Starbridge Recovery.

Starbridge Recovery – Rehabilitation Redefined

Starbridge Recovery is a boutique addiction treatment center fully equipped to medically monitor your benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Following detoxification, our modern and luxurious facility offers customized treatment programs to meet your specific needs. Through traditional and unique therapies, our coed clients are able to achieve holistic healing of the body, mind, and spirit. 

Our Los Angeles drug and alcohol rehab facility boasts expertly trained and experienced staff, high-quality treatment, and compassionate, affordable individualized care. We are prepared to support you from your first step into detoxification, through the struggle of addiction treatment, and to the joys of rehabilitation and sobriety in aftercare. Available 24/7 by calling, texting, or emailing, our dedicated staff can support your transition.

Here at Starbridge Recovery we want to support your lasting recovery. We do that through traditional evidence-based therapies, individualized counseling, and community or group therapy. We also employ several alternative therapy options to meet your specific needs, like experiential therapy and meditation and yoga. Through this process we want you to be able to define your priorities and recognize your strengths so we can support you with the coping skills and self-care strategies to achieve your goals. 

Our private drug and alcohol addiction treatment center accepts 6 patients at a time, so that we can focus on each client individually. We accept multiple major insurances and have private payment options. 

Starbridge Recovery is here to support you with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and your recovery and rehabilitation needs.