It’s very reasonable that someone you know and love could have a benzodiazepine prescription from their doctor. After all, about 30 million US adults reported using benzodiazepine in a 2019 survey by Psychiatric Services. In many ways, it can be a very helpful legal drug. However, what starts as something taken with good intentions can unfortunately shift into a total addiction—with severe consequences. That’s why it’s important for you to know what addiction looks like so you can help your loved one get the benzodiazepine addiction treatment they need to heal.
Why is Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Even Needed to Quit?
Benziodiazepine (or Benzo for short) is a type of drug prescribed by your doctor to treat a variety of issues, from epilepsy to muscle spasms, seizures, and insomnia. People with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression may also be prescribed benzos. Common household names for benzodiazepine medications include Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Valium, and Xanax.
Benzos, when used, act as a depressant, meaning they slow down your central nervous system to help create a relaxed, calm state. So where does benzodiazepine addiction treatment enter the picture? What’s unfortunate about benzos is that they can easily cause dependence on the drug, even when you’re following your prescription. That means they’re also a common target for abuse, leading to an eventual addiction to benzos.
With benzo abuse and addiction, your loved one’s brain (which is directly impacted by each benzodiazepine dosage) becomes dependent on the drug to function. Over time, as the brain develops a tolerance for benzos, your loved one needs to increase their dosage (and its frequency) to achieve the same “high” or euphoric, calm feelings. This further entrenches their addiction, abuse, and dependence. And at this point, they could begin obtaining benzo pills through illegal means to continue their addiction once their prescription runs out.
Addiction Withdrawal and Benzo Rehab
Even if your loved one wants to reduce or even stop their benzodiazepine usage, their brain’s chemical dependence may say otherwise. This isn’t the kind of drug you can simply quit cold turkey. And simple behavior modification or all the willpower in the world won’t help your loved one right the ship.
Trying to quit a benzo addiction on your own is actually highly dangerous in its own right. This is because benzodiazepine can create extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, putting you in the risky position of taking more benzos to find relief. Yet returning to benzos in withdrawal can lead to relapse and potentially overdose.
Considering the challenges of benzo addiction, benzodiazepine addiction treatment is critically important to your loved one achieving sobriety. Partnering with a benzo rehab center can help your loved one navigate benzo withdrawal and physical addiction symptoms safely and effectively without relapse. Yet the root of addictions run deeper than just physical symptoms, so a benzo addiction treatment program can also help your loved one address the underlying causes of their addiction, setting them up to stay sober for the long haul.
Your Loved One May Need Benzo Addiction Treatment If…
A benzo prescription doesn’t automatically mean your loved one has an addiction. But if you’re concerned about their usage, how can you tell if they need benzodiazepine addiction treatment? There are actually some trademark signs, symptoms, and behaviors that may indicate your loved one has an addiction to benzos, including:
They’re Doctor Shopping
Eventually, your loved one’s benzo prescription runs out. If they’re addicted, they may try to find a new doctor—and actually reach out to multiple doctors simultaneously—so they can get new prescriptions and more of the drug. An ideal outcome for a benzo addict in this case would be that multiple doctors issue a benzo prescription as a new patient before catching on that they’re doctor shopping. If your loved one is actively doctor shopping, they will likely have several doctors appointments scheduled and make regular trips to the pharmacy in a short amount of time.
They’re Dealing With Certain Physical Issues
Taking benzodiazepine over and over again as an addict can cause some telltale physical symptoms. If you’re loved one regularly takes benzos and starts showing signs of these physical issues, they may need benzodiazepine abuse treatment:
- Weight changes
- Decreasing appetite
- Drowsiness
- Ongoing headaches
- Complaints of blurry vision
- Insomnia or noticeable sleep changes
- Slurred talk
- Poor coordination and vertigo
- Feeling weak
- Benzo addiction withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, restlessness, vomiting, or anxiety, when they miss a dose
They’re Changing Their Behavior
When you’re addicted to benzos, it changes your motivations and actions. Without benzodiazepine addiction treatment, you can’t continue to live as normal. That means there are some common changes in behavior that your loved one may show if they’re struggling with addiction:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Withdrawing socially from others and becoming isolated
- Showing a lack of judgement
- Neglecting personal responsibilities
- Poor performance in work or at school
- No longer showing interest in favorite activities or hobbies
They’re Showing Common Signs of Substance Abuse
No matter the substance, there are certain classic signs that give clear indication of a substance use disorder. If benzodiazepine is causing negative consequences in your loved one’s life, yet they still persist in using it, they’re likely addicted. A benzo addict will also spend much of their time, money, and resources obtaining and using benzodiazepine. That means they may even start purchasing benzos on the street or stealing prescriptions. You may also find hidden benzo pills around the house as your loved one tries to hide their addiction.
Sana at Stowe Can Help Your Loved One Heal With Benzo Addiction Treatment
If your loved one is addicted to benzos, what should you do? The biggest way you can support them now is to encourage them to seek professional addiction help. At Sana at Stowe, we can help your loved one find true healing with our holistic, comprehensive benzodiazepine addiction treatment program. To learn more about our services, contact us today.
