Benzodiazepine addiction and abuse are widespread in the United States due to increasing prescriptions. It is not surprising that many experts refer to how these drugs are misused as the benzodiazepine epidemic. People who get addicted to these drugs should strongly consider going through detox and treatment at a benzo rehab center to get off them. But because they are available by prescription, people tend to think of them as safe. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
We want people to know that help for benzo addiction is available at Northpoint Washington. Our benzo rehab center is equipped to guide you through the process of recovering from benzo abuse.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines or benzos are depressants that affect the central nervous system. They function by making it easier for GABA neurotransmitters to bind to receptors and release GABA into the body. The release of these neurotransmitters increases feelings of calm, sleepiness, or peacefulness. Because of this, benzos are most often used to sedate or physically relax the user.
Benzos are usually prescribed to treat conditions such as:
- Anxiety disorders and panic attacks
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Seizure disorders such as epilepsy
- Restless legs syndrome
- Panic disorders
- Tourettes syndrome
- Short-term anxiety or nervousness before surgeries or other medical procedures
- Alcohol and drug withdrawal and long-lasting symptoms
- Depression
Benzodiazepines are very addictive, both physically and psychologically, because of the pleasant feeling associated with use. Benzo addiction is quite widespread because benzodiazepines treat many different disorders and issues.
Benzos are usually taken orally, in the form of a pill, capsule, or tablet. However, people can also take them intramuscularly, intravenously, or rectally. In cases of benzo abuse, the drug is also sometimes crushed and snorted.
Benzodiazepine Abuse by the Numbers
- 95% of all benzodiazepine treatment admissions also involved the abuse of at least one other substance.
- The substance most frequently reported as being abused along with benzos was alcohol.
- Benzodiazepines are the most frequently abused type of medication.
- Benzos account for 35% of all drug-related visits to the emergency room.
- Benzodiazepine use increased by 79% from 1992 to 2002.
- In 2008, 5.2% of all U.S. adults were using benzos.
- This percentage varied with age, with older patients more likely to take the drug.
- As of 2008, nearly twice as many women used benzodiazepines as men.
15% of users aged 18-35 had received a prescription for benzos from a psychiatrist. Only 5.7% of users aged 65-80 had received their prescription from a psychiatrist.
Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction
- Benzodiazepine Detox
- Benzodiazepine Rehab
- Inpatient Rehab
Most people with benzodiazepine addiction do not realize the importance of inpatient rehab during recovery. Many of them assume that it must be safe
because a doctor prescribed the drug they use. In their minds, that also means that it is safe for them to stop taking it. However, this is not the case.
Benzodiazepine addiction can lead to devastating withdrawal symptoms when the drugs are stopped. An inpatient treatment program removes the possibility of relapsing due to withdrawal. Also, the proper methods of care can reduce the severity of withdrawal. This gives people hope that recovery is possible, and they feel much more motivated to continue.
Remember that detox is not the sole component of recovering from benzo addiction. People need to move on to the rehabilitation phase of treatment afterward to understand why they started using and how to address those issues to prevent relapse.
Our Inpatient Drug Rehab Program at Northpoint Washington
- Have all the support they need to be successful.
- Can receive medication-assisted treatment.
- Learn relapse prevention tips and develop a plan to stay clean.
- Can focus their efforts on recovering.
- Go on to experience a more fulfilling life than they ever thought possible.