Benzodiazepines are a large class of drugs and include medications with a huge scope of indications and side effects. However, all benzodiazepines operate by acting on the GABA receptors in the brain, which produce effects that remain consistent throughout all members of the drug family. Effects to look for in a potentially addicted individual include:

Benzodiazepine addiction can be one of the most difficult addictions to detect. Its symptoms are often easily dismissed and there are not always overt physical symptoms. However, as time goes on and the addict uses more and more of the drugs, these symptoms will become more pronounced and easily noticed.

Benzodiazepines themselves may only have a moderate cost, but addiction can quickly destroy an addict’s life. While most benzodiazepine addicts are not driven to theft or robbery to support their habit, there are other effects these drugs have on people which can increase their chances of violent or illegal behavior. Drugs like Xanax, for instance, have been demonstrated, both in studies and anecdotally, to increase a user’s tendency towards violence and other erratic behavior. These drugs cause profound changes in a person’s psychological makeup, rendering them unpredictable and potentially violent.

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. This means that they act by released a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (or GABA), which produces a natural hypnotic and calming effect. Benzos are highly effective too, in that their effects happen quickly and last for several hours. While people typically take these drugs to “feel good”, even short-term usage can result in several undesired effects. These include nausea, memory loss, tremors, constipation, dry mouth, loss of appetite, mood swings and unpredictability, and confusion. Most of these issues are the result of over-sedation and will be alleviated shortly after the drug is processed through the body.

Doctors rarely prescribe benzos for long periods. Especially now, as doctors are increasingly aware of the risks associated with these drugs, patients rarely receive prescriptions longer than 30 days. As such, they are not intended to be used in the long-term and can pose significant threats to an addict when they are used outside of medical supervision. Many of the long-term effects are still being studied, but scientists agree that long-term benzodiazepine abuse is likely to adversely affect memory, sensory perceptions, processing speed, and learning processes.

Additionally, benzodiazepine abuse can negatively impact a person’s later years. Studies have recently closely linked benzodiazepine with late-stage disorders like dementia. In users taking benzodiazepines for less than three months, there was shown to be zero increased risk for dementia. That risk skyrockets to an 84% increased risk in those abusing the drugs for over six months.

While benzo withdrawal and addiction itself are dangerous, overdoses are particularly worrisome for benzo addicts. Drug overdose is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and approximately 120 people die every day from it. When benzodiazepines reach a toxic level in the bloodstream, they can shut down the central nervous system completely, resulting in lethal heart failure or a variety of other potentially life-threatening complications.

Perhaps surprisingly, those who recover from benzodiazepines have a higher chance of remaining sober in the long-term than those recovering from other addictions. In a 2003 study, nearly 50% of long-term benzodiazepine addicts were able to taper off the drug and remain abstinent until their follow-up 2 years later. This is a remarkably positive statistic, compared with other addictive drugs. The same study shows that, among the other half who did relapse, they returned to a healthier use of the benzodiazepines than previously. That is, after quitting benzodiazepines for a time, they began to use the drugs as prescribed after relapsing, without a noticeable return to abusive patterns.

Many experts have pointed out that benzodiazepine addicts are not the “traditional” or “stereotypical” drug addicts. They are not high-risk individuals with other addictive patterns, rather they are ordinary medical patients who fell victim to the addictive properties of benzodiazepines. When successfully removed from the drug, they are typically able to maintain sobriety without a full scope of recovery which might be indicated for other drugs.

That having been said, people who have used benzos for many years in large quantities, have a lesser chance of full recovery. In these cases, standard therapeutic measures and medical supervision are strongly suggested.

A benzodiazepine detox is a particularly complex and tricky endeavor. Depending on the particular drug an addict was using, withdrawal and detox can be a very lengthy and difficult process. Short-acting drugs like Xanax have a shorter withdrawal, lasting about 7 days on average. Longer-acting drugs like Valium can have a withdrawal phase which lasts up to 90 days, on the other hand.

Benzodiazepine detox is also a physically and emotionally painful experience. Most people with experience say that it is worse than heroin and comparable to alcohol, in terms of sheer discomfort. Addicts who are recovering from benzodiazepine abuse will typically suffer moderate to severe depression, anxiety, hypersensitivity, racing heart rate, sweating, and twitches. Additionally, benzodiazepine withdrawal can result in seizures, similar to alcohol withdrawal, which can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, it is never recommended that an addict goes through benzodiazepine withdrawal without medical supervision.

A medically monitored benzo detox typically indicated a slow taper to minimize risk and discomfort. Medical professionals can administer diminishing doses of benzos, which allow the body to gradually detox and can prevent some of the more severe symptoms of withdrawal, including potentially life-threatening ones, like seizures.

Recovering from benzodiazepine addiction is typically a very individual process. In the case of those who accidentally became addicted and have no other addictive risk behaviors, it can be as simple as abstaining from the drug and remaining cognizant of its dangers. For others, more traditional means of recovery have proven very helpful.

After completing the withdrawal and detox phase, it is often best to consult with experts on the subject. Depending on the individual case, rehab, support groups (12-step, Christian rehabs), or extended therapy sessions may be indicated. While relapse rates for benzodiazepine abuse are low, the numbers can be deceiving. If a person has been using high doses of the drugs for many years, they are much more likely to need additional support to remain clean.

We understand that women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction need support, accountability, and structure. That’s why The Light House provides:

Light House Women’s Recovery Center has everything you or your loved one needs to experience long-term recovery and live a new life with hope, purpose and meaning.