You Know Suffering from a Benzodiazepine Addiction?

Published on: 31 October 2018 Last Updated on: 12 July 2023
Benzodiazepine Addiction

We hear a lot about drug abuse in the news, especially when it comes to opioids and painkillers. But, benzodiazepine abuse and addiction have also increased in recent years. In 2015, there were more than 8,000 benzodiazepine-related deaths.

Death and serious complications rarely result from benzodiazepine use alone. In most addiction and overdose cases, other drugs are also involved — usually opiates. Whether alone or with other drugs, benzodiazepine abuse exists, and it is dangerous.

Are you wondering whether someone you know is suffering from benzodiazepine addiction? We can guide you through recognizing the addiction and offering support. Read on for answers to your questions benzodiazepines and addiction.

What is a Benzodiazepine?

A benzodiazepine is a sedative drug. Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines – also known as benzos – to help relieve symptoms of anxiety. The drugs can also help with seizures, muscle spasms, and even alcohol withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines were actually introduced to replace dangerous barbiturates. When people began abusing barbituates, benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan came along. Unfortunately, people started to abuse these drugs as well.

What are Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction?

Benzos work by depressing the central nervous system. This makes users feel sedated and relaxed. Over time, people may become tolerant and need higher doses, and then develop a dependence.

Chronic use of benzodiazepines can have long-term effects on physical and mental health. Dependent users may have gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal issues. They may show symptoms of depression or suicidal behavior.

Someone addicted to benzodiazepines may feel drowsy and dizzy. They may seem confused, have poor concentration, and slurred speech. If they overdose, they can become unresponsive to the point of a coma.

What are the Behavioral Warning Signs of Abuse?

Like other drug and alcohol abuse, benzo abuse may result in behavioral symptoms. People close to the addict will notice these changes. Substance abuse often shifts personal traits.

An addict may withdraw from friends and family. They may skirt responsibilities. Addicts are often secretive about their schedules.

To keep a high volume of their drug on hand, addicts often “doctor shop.” They will get prescriptions from different doctors and fill them at different pharmacies. They may also borrow or steal money to pay for their drugs.

How Can Benzodiazepine Addicts Recover?

Often times the hardest step to recovery is to admit the problem. Once an addict recognizes they have a drug issue, they may be willing to get help from friends and family. They’ll need outpatient care from a doctor or at a treatment center like Inspire Malibu.

To prevent withdrawal and seizers, the reduction of benzodiazepines will be gradual. This method offers more promising results than quitting cold turkey. It’s also advised to see a psychiatrist throughout recovery and even after.

How Can Former Addicts Stay Clean and Healthy?

Doctors encourage recovering addicts, including those suffering from a benzodiazepine addiction, to adopt healthy lifestyles to help prevent relapses. This includes healthy eating, exercise, and other positive habits. You can learn more about healthy lifestyle habits on our blog.

Read about things to help reduce stress, unhealthy foods to avoid, and more.

Or, browse for more information on addiction and recovery. We have tips on staging interventions, information about outpatient treatment, and other topics.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Releasing Stress

Releasing Stress Even if You Don’t Leave Home

You don’t need to go elsewhere if you feel like you want to release stress. At home, you can do things to help you forget what stresses you out. Don’t let stress consume you. It is possible to suffer from illnesses because you can’t manage your stress levels. These are great ideas you can do now. Meditate: Meditation helps in releasing anxiety. You need a few minutes of meditation each day to clear your thoughts. Several things consume your mind, both positive and negative. When you meditate, you forget all of them, and you start over again. It is quite simple to meditate as there are different strategies to follow. The easiest one is to sit with both of your feet on the floor. You may also walk around focusing only on your steps, and not on anything else. It might be difficult to concentrate at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will love regular meditation. Reach out: You don't need to bear your cross alone. Some people can help you deal with your problem. Reach out to them via social media. Give them a call if need be. Let them know that you have a problem, and ask if they are willing to listen. Talking to them allows you to have a better perspective on life. Real friends will be there for you. It is not even a requirement for them to tell you what to do. Having someone listen to you when you are down is sometimes enough. Try to decompress: You can put a warm heat wrap on your shoulder or neck area. Let the wrap stay there for about 10 minutes and then shut your eyes and rest for some time. After 10 minutes, take off the wrap and massage the area. Do it at least once a day to stop tension in your body. Watch funny shows: As always, laughter is the best medicine, and when you feel stressed, laughter helps a lot. Check your favorite TV shows. You might be missing out on the latest episodes, and now is your chance to catch up. If you don't want to watch TV shows, find other ways to lighten your mood. Chatting with someone who can give you a smile is also a great idea. Clean up: Some people hate cleaning the house, but for others, it is a way of releasing stress. Perhaps, it will help if you spend time cleaning up your place. Aside from enabling you to relax, it also keeps your surroundings clean. You can even feel more relaxed if you have a lovely environment. Shop online: Take time to shop without leaving home. There are a lot of online stores for you to purchase almost anything you want. If you need new furniture at home, you can check out furniture on credit online. Compare the choices and find something that fits your home perfectly. Shopping is therapeutic, and if you are a shopaholic, you need a few minutes of shopping time in your life. The goal is to help you deal with stress. It does not require you to leave home to relax. With these activities you can do at home, you can soon say goodbye to stress. Read Also: Unhealthy And Healthy Solutions For Coping With Stress Bed Time Yoga To Sleep Well

READ MOREDetails
Dental Problems

5 Ways To Prevent Severe Dental Problems

Have you ever rush to the dentist in an emergency? Is a sudden toothache trouble you? If yes, then you should focus more on oral hygiene or should visit the dentist regularly to prevent you from dental problems. The alarming dental problems which may turn into a serious issue with time are bad breath, tooth sensation, and tooth cavities. The urgent problems which need an immediate visit to the dentist are swelling in gums, loose teeth, fractured jaw, tissue injury or facial pain and severe pain in the mouth. Here is the list of some urgent dental problems and ways to tackle them: Loose Tooth: The loose tooth is an urgent dental issue, if you are suffering from a loose tooth or if your tooth is out of alignment, then you should call the dentist immediately to book the appointment. In the meantime, you should try to put back the tooth at its place with your finger forcing it. You should avoid moving your teeth with tongue, do not eat anything hard until you visit your dentist. You emergency visit to the dentist and precautionary steps may save your teeth from falling, as a doctor can splint it with adjacent teeth. A toothache is some Of the Dental Problems: A toothache is not something to take lightly; it may be a symptom of serious tooth decay or any other urgent dental problem. To know the exact reason behind your tooth pain, call your dentist immediately to book an appointment for a checkup. Tissue Injury Or Facial Pain: Any kind of injury inside mouth such as a tear of cheeks, lips, tongues is considered to be tissue injury. The tissues of the mouth are soft and delicate and when they get injured it is very painful. These get injured by an accidental bite on cheeks, if you fall, due to some infection. It is better to call the dentist immediately if you have severe pain due to tissue injury and book appointment for you. In meantime rinse your mouth with warm salt water to get some relief from pain. Swelling Of Gum: It is a serious dental problem, which causes tooth pain and bleeding through gums. If your gums are in pain and are swollen then, book an appointment with a dentist immediately. The doctor may apply for some medicine on gums to give you relief from pain and also will prescribe you medicines. Below are the other dental issues which need your concern: Bad Breath: Bad breath causes due to poor oral hygiene or due to tartar deposition on your teeth. You should visit your dentist for a checkup, to get rid of plaque or yellow teeth which in turn also improve your breath. Teeth whitening are a type of cosmetic dentistry done by the dentist to remove plaque from teeth and to give you confident smile. Sensitivity For Cold And Hot: If you feel sensation while eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee then, your teeth need a visit to the dentist. Sensation occurs when enamel of our teeth gets thinner and it affects the tooth as well as roots of the teeth. Get this treated on time before it leads to any serious problem. Tooth Cavities: Regular dentist checkup can help you to identify cavities and can get treated on time. The sooner you take care of your teeth; you can save them from getting decay. The dentist will protect the tooth from preventing further exposure to substances which may increase the cavity. Many dental issues can be minimized by adopting good oral hygiene and by visiting the dentist regularly. Your teeth are an important part of your personality and also support you in eating, so take care of your teeth properly. Read Also: What You Need To Know About Dental Implant Surgery? 5 Dental Hygiene Tips For A Healthier Smile

READ MOREDetails
Fitness Journey

4 Tips For Getting Starting With Your Fitness Journey Today

Starting with your fitness journey is an empowering decision that can transform your physical and mental well-being. Whether you are aiming to lose some extra pounds, build strength, or enhance your overall health, all it takes is a single step. From creating a schedule to choosing the right activities during your workouts, there are many things you will have to consider when starting your fitness journey. 4 Prime Ideas For Getting Starting With Your Fitness Journey Today In this article, we are going to explore 4 such practical and actionable tips to kickstart your fitness journey. 1. Choose Activities You Enjoy When choosing the activities during your workouts, it is advised to keep one thing in mind: fitness shouldn't feel like a chore; it should be a source of joy and fulfillment. That’s why it is advised to choose activities you genuinely enjoy performing. For example, for some people, running is more effective and enjoyable as compared to gym workouts. On the other hand, some people will enjoy cycling and swimming instead of doing yoga or other physical activities. You can also opt for dancing and other team sports that can make your fitness journey more enjoyable and sustainable in the long run. 2. Have the Right Equipment in Place Having the right equipment in place can make a significant difference in your motivation, comfort, and overall progress. While you don't need a fully equipped gym at home, investing in a few essential items can enhance your workouts and set you up for success. This can include a comfortable pair of trainers and two or three sets of comfortable workout attire having a moisture-wicking fabric that can keep you dry during intense workouts. Other workout equipment can include yoga mats, dumbbells, and a treadmill. When choosing the equipment, make sure you invest in high-quality hardware that can be easily used and doesn’t need repairs every now and then. For example, in the case of treadmills, it is advised to Buy Assault Fitness Treadmills online to find high-quality and durable treadmills. 3. Start Small and Gradually Increase the Intensity It's crucial to ease into your fitness routine, especially if you're new to exercise. Trust us, you don’t want to push yourself in the first week and then won’t be able to do any workouts for the next two weeks or so. That’s why it is advised to begin with shorter durations and lower intensity levels, allowing your body to adapt and avoid injuries. As you build stamina and strength, you can gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to match your fitness level. 4. Focus on Overall Fitness Remember that working out is not just about targeting one aspect of your body and leaving everything else in the process. Working out is just one component of your healthy lifestyle. Along with hitting the gym and doing other physical activities, you will also have to pay attention to your nutrition, hydration, and sleep habits. Nourish your body with wholesome foods, stay hydrated, and prioritize quality sleep to support your fitness efforts and overall well-being. Read Also: Why is Fitness Important for Weight Loss? Skip The Gym And Outfit Your Home For Your Fitness Routine Bed, Treadmill, and Balanced Diet – Things Needed to Achieve Fitness

READ MOREDetails