Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are incredibly addictive drugs that are also extremely common prescription medications. If you have been prescribed benzos by a medical professional, it’s essential to understand how addictive they are and be aware of your use.
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzo addiction, you may benefit from a benzo addiction treatment program. Northpoint Seattle is here to help. Reach out to one of our medical professionals today via 888.483.6031 to discuss benzo addiction symptoms and treatment options.
What Are Benzos?
Benzos refer to benzodiazepines, which are a class of psychoactive drugs that have a central nervous system depressant effect. Benzos are commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety, for sleep, to relax muscles, or for their anticonvulsant properties. They are among the most widely prescribed medications globally. Some common forms of benzos include:
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Valium
- Klonopin
- Restoril
- Librium
- Tranxene
While benzos can be effective in the short-term management of certain medical conditions, they also contain potential risks when not taken as prescribed.
Signs of Benzo Addiction
The signs of benzo addiction can look different depending on the individual as well as the benzo they are addicted to. Knowing the signs of benzo abuse can help you or a loved one get necessary help before it’s too late.
If you are prescribed benzos, you might not know you are becoming addicted to them. Benzo addiction signs can include:
- Physical weakness
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Lack of judgment
- Risky behaviors such as driving after using benzos
- Combining benzos with other drugs or alcohol
Individuals may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they no longer have access to the drug.
5 Signs of Benzo Addiction
It’s also important to know the signs of benzo abuse in other people. If your loved one starts acting differently, you might consider benzo abuse as the reason. Detecting signs of benzo abuse early can help prevent the addiction from progressing further with treatment. Some examples include:
- Severe drowsiness – Benzos are often prescribed to treat anxiety and tend to induce a calming effect after consumption. People taking more significant amounts of benzos may experience frequent drowsiness.
- Doctor shopping – Doctor shopping refers to when a person is frequently changing doctors. This is because doctors often limit the number of benzos a client can get within a specific time frame. One of the signs of benzo addiction is seeking care from multiple doctors to maintain a steady supply of the drug.
- Personality changes – A person addicted to benzos might exhibit signs of depression, anxiety, or other personality changes.
- Poor concentration – Because benzos can make a person extremely drowsy, people will often experience brain fog or difficulty concentrating on tasks they were once able to do.
- Lack of interest in activities – A person addicted to benzos might not want to do the activities they once enjoyed or socialize with people they used to spend time with.
Benzo Addiction Treatment
Treatment for benzo addiction typically involves a comprehensive and individualized approach, considering the severity of addiction, the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, and the individual’s overall health.
In some cases, detoxification may be necessary. Detox is the process of safely and gradually tapering off benzos under medical supervision to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures.
Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation can also be incredibly helpful in reaching recovery. In both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, counseling and therapy, support groups, medication-assisted treatment, and several other therapeutic approaches are often utilized for a person to reach recovery.
Start Benzo Addiction Treatment Today at Northpoint Seattle
Knowing the signs of benzo addiction is essential, but so is knowing when to seek treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing any benzo addiction symptoms, reach out to Northpoint Seattle at 888.483.6031 or online to discuss treatment options.