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Benzodiazepine Uses
Some of the main reasons for prescribing this drug include the following:
What is Benzodiazepine Addiction?
The mild sedative effects of benzodiazepine make them a target for addiction and abuse. Not only patients who receive prescriptions for benzodiazepines are susceptible to abuse.
Unfortunately, many people also self-medicate with these drugs to manage undiagnosed anxiety and other mental health disorders.
While most of these medications are only available via prescription, there's an unfortunately strong illegal trade making them available to the general public.
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People suffering from benzodiazepine addiction generally use the drug because they desire its calming effect. They feel that they need the drug to deal with their day-to-day existence.
On the other hand, people suffering from drug dependency really do need the drug to survive. Their bodies have become so used to having the drug in their systems that they can no longer function properly without them.
In the case of drug addiction, benzodiazepine withdrawal may be mild or more severe. In the case of physical dependence, the patient must be weaned off the drug, or the withdrawal symptoms may be severe enough to cause death.
Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Abuse
Physical Signs and Symptoms
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms
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Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
The Dangers of Drug Abuse and Addiction
One of the greatest dangers of benzodiazepine abuse is that patients systematically increase their dosages. Over time, their bodies require more and more of the medication to have the same effect that a small dose once had. Eventually, even relatively large doses have little effect due to the body's tolerance.
At this point, it's easy to take a benzodiazepine overdose. Fortunately, while this type of overdose is common, benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths are less common than in opioid addiction. That said, multiple people die from benzodiazepine overdose every year.
Other problems resulting from addiction to these commonly abused drugs include distanced relationships with family and loved ones, inability to function, and even opening the door to secondary addictions.
Treating Addiction to Benzodiazepine
From avoiding the fatal overdose effects of benzodiazepine to managing co-occurring disorders and dealing with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, a valuable treatment program is essential.
Below, we'll take a closer look at some of the treatment options and support tools that can help you overcome drug abuse and addiction.
Medical Detox
Especially when the benzodiazepine abuse has coincided with addiction to other drugs, medical problems are a definite possibility.
With a medically-assisted detox, doctors can slowly wean the individual off the drug by gradually lessening the doses. This allows the patient to get free of the benzo addiction without dealing with the withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy
As these medications begin to decrease in the bloodstream, it's highly likely that the patient may experience extreme anxiety or depression. Dealing with these symptoms through therapy rather than medication can help prevent a relapse or a shift to a new kind of addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Especially when the benzo addiction goes with co-occurring disorders, there are many risk factors to consider. Medication-assisted treatment options use secondary medications to treat the symptoms of withdrawal. It can help to mitigate risk, lessen drug-seeking behaviors, and decrease the likelihood of fatal benzo withdrawal symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Not only will it help make the rehabilitation process easier, but it will also help patients to avoid returning to drug use when they face problems.
Susceptibility to drug abuse has a genetic component, and finding alternate ways to deal with stress and anxiety is essential when trying to avoid relapses. Support groups can help share their experiences and techniques and even offer tools for dealing with drug cravings.
Lifestyle Changes
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Therapy, support groups, and even your doctors at the rehab center can help you identify parts of your lifestyle that aren't beneficial. Making changes to these areas can help you stay clean and sober.
Long-Term Follow-Up
If you can find a rehab center that will continue to walk with you and do follow-ups in the time after you leave the facility, that's better for you.
You may also want to try and build a support system of people that can help keep you from falling into old habits.
The Bottom Line
Fortunately, recovering from benzodiazepine abuse is possible. Here at our Thailand rehab center, we have fantastic programs specifically for dealing with addiction to benzodiazepines and other dangerous drugs.
From taking you through medical detox to putting you in touch with support groups and helping you identify potential lifestyle changes, Miracles Asia covers it all. Located in a scenic area of Thailand, our facility also offers access to many activities and beautiful sights.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you or your loved ones deal with the signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine abuse.