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Why Is Benzodiazepine Addictive?
Benzodiazepines are usually compared to opioids, but they are not the same. These are prescription sedatives that are used to treat several diseases. While this drug is often paired with antidepressants to cure any struggling individual, its long-term use leads to dependence that turns into an addiction.
Most commonly, they are prescribed to treat
- Anxiety,
- Panic disorders,
- Insomnia,
- Seizures,
- Muscle spasms and more.
They are also often used as anesthesia before general operations to relax the patient. Moreover, they are also used to help an individual treat their withdrawal symptoms during detox of their acute alcohol addiction.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, benzodiazepines often target the part of the brain that slows down the activities of the central nervous system. It helps enhance the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
GABA slows down the hyperactivity in the body resulting from anxiety, stress, or fear. This helps the user relax their muscles, slow their heartbeat and breathing, and produce a calming effect on the body.
As someone who deals with a lot of stress, anxiety, or has muscular issues, these pills can act as a great method of treating their recurring problem. However, that is where the benzodiazepine addiction begins.
Once users get used to the calming effect, they return for more. Eventually, their body develops a tolerance which leads to higher doses than initially taken. In just a month of use, the dependency on the drug becomes an apparent problem and starts causing a hindrance in your life.
How Do I Know If I’m Addicted to Benzos?
The ability to not function without the drug daily is perhaps the biggest tell-tale of answering that question.
Benzodiazepine addiction takes form in psychological and physical manifestations. Most of these symptoms are easy for a loved one to look out for, such as;
- Physical weakness; the user seems exhausted, lacks motor coordination or has trouble breathing.
- Slurred speech.
- Blurred vision.
- A state of confusion that leads to poor decision-making or judgment.
If the user has been consistent for some time, other diseases such as anorexia, memory problems, constant headaches, and many more might become obvious.
You might also observe behavioral signs such as social isolation, lack of hygiene, engaging in risky activities, being secretive, moody, or always ensuring that they have a good supply at home. They might even go as far as stealing to maintain their drug usage.
As discussed before, the tolerance to this drug is created quite quickly, which leads to an individual relying on higher doses and eventually becoming dependent. If questioned or confronted about their use, they will often act as if it is not a problem.
They will try to minimize the drug’s hold on them, make excuses for why they need to use it or deny any side effects.
Moreover, once their doctor stops prescribing the drug, they find ways of buying it through drug dealers or illegal means. If ever caught doing so, it is high time their loved ones start looking into their treatment.
In benzodiazepine addiction, a person suffering from drug abuse will not know how to stop using benzodiazepine on their own. The treatment of this disease requires early intervention because the longer the treatment is delayed, the worse the withdrawal effects and recovery will become.
Where To Start Getting Help For Benzodiazepine Addiction?
Getting help for a benzodiazepine addiction begins with registering yourself or your loved one to a drug and alcohol treatment center. We hope you’d consider us here at Cornerstone Healing Center to help you. Here are some things that you should discuss and arrange before doing so.
Step 1: Set Up Finances And Moral Support
When beginning your plan to get into treatment for benzodiazepine addiction, it is important to know your financial options, savings, or current income to help you set up a plan that will cover the costs. It will be a wise idea to look for affordable healing centers like ours that do not compromise on quality.
It is also important to have a support system that will become your reason to carry on despite the difficulties of the treatment. Your loved ones want to see you do better, be better. Hence, reaching out to them for financial or moral support can be a viable option.
In many cases, family and friends are rooting for the quick recovery of their loved ones. As a result, the individual under treatment feels optimistic and charged to recover, making it easier for them to work on their health.
If you are hesitant to reach out to your family, call our team. Our admissions team can advocate for your treatment directly with your family. We know that family relationships can be strained during addiction. It’s important to overcome the communication barrier and find a program that best suits your financial situation and your level of treatment.
Step 2: Look Into Your Insurance
Many health insurance programs cover Benzodiazepine addiction treatments. However, if you are unsure whether your insurance covers it, fill out our verification form and we’ll call ourselves and find out for you.
You can also call us, and we will be happy to assist in any way possible.
Step 3: Learn How Is Benzodiazepine Addiction Treated And Get Started
Once your insurance is set in place and a program has been selected, our team will guide you through the recovery process. From detoxification to counseling, our treatment will cover everything to ensure you leave completely free from your dependence.
Our team will keep you motivated, so you can commit to getting the treatment right the first time. During your treatments’ difficult and messy parts, having an unbeatable support system will be your greatest guiding light.
What If I Relapse After Going To Rehab For Benzodiazepine Addiction?
40% to 60% of individuals recovering from a drug addiction disorder tend to relapse. It doesn’t have to be a part of your recovery journey, but it’s understandable to worry. The guilt and regret of losing your progress often comes in a wave of a desperate need to find a fix. This is what we are here to help you with.
Relapse is completely normal, and while it is distressing to feel as if you lost your progress, the fact that you feel guilt over it is a great indication of how well you are doing.
So if you relapse, you dust yourself off and start from where you left.
Why Is It Important To Reach Out For Help?
Addiction does more than become the cause of your declining health. It ruins relationships, friendships and completely strips you of the much needed stability necessary to live a happy life.
Reaching out for help is essential when facing such an issue so you can be a better child, parent, partner, and friend to all those who rely on you. Also, you could be a better friend to yourself and do what is right for you.
Now that you have taken the first step towards recovery, reach out to Cornerstone Healing Center for more details about our treatment plans.
No doubt that the process of recovery is challenging, but it is highly rewarding.
