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Benzodiazepine tranquilizers, commonly called “benzos,” belong to the CNS (Central Nervous System) category of depressants.
Benzos bind to the brain’s GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter receptors, which helps reduce neuron activity and, by extension, nervousness and muscle spasms. Because of their effectiveness in lessening physical and emotional tension, benzos are frequently prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures.
Unfortunately, many people abuse benzos to the point of dependence. In fact, benzodiazepine addiction is a significant part of the American drug epidemic. These drugs are so addictive that annual overdose deaths1 involving benzos rose yearly during the first decade of the 21st century. Some of the most addictive benzodiazepines are Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Rohypnol, and Klonopin.
This blog post will answer the common question, “Are benzos addictive?” and cover the typical path to benzo addiction, including why people abuse benzo, the effects and risks of these drugs, and the medical approach to detox and recovery.
While benzos are commonly prescribed and overused, these questions remain: “Why do people abuse benzos?” and “What causes their addiction?”
There are numerous answers to the question, “Why are benzos addictive?” At their core, benzo addiction is closely tied to the body and brain building up a tolerance, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect quickly.
Regular use of benzos teaches the body to depend on outside means for relaxing, so people taking them become increasingly tense and irritable without frequent doses and increasingly dependent psychologically on this easy stress relief.
Most benzo use involves prescription medications, and it’s psychologically easier to rationalize the overuse of a doctor-approved drug than an illegal substance for many.
The medical system has helped encourage benzo addiction by being too quick to offer an easy solution to mental struggles. Benzos are a traditional first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. As many as 150 million prescriptions have been issued in a single year.
While doctors typically prescribe benzos only for short-term use, no more than three or four months, due to the risks, psychological cravings for additional tension relief can take hold early on.
One of the central answers to “What makes benzodiazepines addictive?” is simply their overuse and built-up tolerance over time.
Many people take extra pills according to their judgment, dangerously increasing their tolerance levels and moving their bodies toward physical addiction. Once the cravings become dominant, those taking the benzos seek ways to obtain more medication than authorized by the original prescriptions, sometimes continuing regular use for years.
Now that we know the answer to, “Are benzos addictive?” Let’s understand the various side effects of benzo abuse and addiction.
Typical physical and psychological symptoms of benzo addiction include:
It is important to note that these addiction symptoms may also appear as side effects during directed use or as signs of an overdose. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek immediate medical treatment.
People with benzo addiction may also exhibit behavioral symptoms that involve circumventing prescription limits. Such behavior may include:
Are benzodiazepines addictive? Yes. But, you can recover from benzo addiction with us.
The effects of benzo withdrawal can be dangerous, especially when trying to manage them without the help of addiction specialists.
Since most benzo addiction originates in seeking treatment for legitimate disorders, effective detox treatment also includes learning alternate ways to manage anxiety and tension long-term.
At the Beach House, our compassionate team combines detox and follow-up treatment at one location, with ongoing attention to each patient’s needs.
We carefully observe clinical and medical protocol to ensure our patients successfully complete benzo detox and reach recovery goals.
You don’t have to live in active addiction forever. We are here to help. Contact us today to get started on a healthier, sober tomorrow.
