What are benzos? Benzos, or benzodiazepines, are widely prescribed medications that can come with a range of side effects, including the potential for addiction. Explore what benzos really are, what kind of drugs qualify as benzos, and how to get benzo addiction treatment today. Breaking free of benzo addiction is possible—find hope and a path forward by reaching out for help.
Connect with Soledad House’s benzo addiction treatment center in California if you or a loved one suffers from benzo addiction.
What Are Benzos?
The answer to what are benzos, benzos are essentially tranquilizers. Medical professionals prescribe them for patients who suffer from conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and insomnia. In rare cases, patients might get a benzodiazepine as an anesthetic before a surgical procedure.
Benzos fall under the Controlled Substances Act. All benzos are Schedule IV drugs. This means that using benzos without a medical prescription is illegal. In addition, doing so can be very dangerous.
There are several brand-name and generic drugs that fall under the category of benzos, including:
- Xanax
- Valium
- Librium
- Klonopin
- Ativan
If you’ve been prescribed benzos by your doctor, be sure to take them exactly as prescribed, and talk to your doctor about any concerns.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Benzos?
The side effects of benzos come in two varieties: intended and unintended. The intended results of taking benzos usually include lower anxiety levels, sedation, and muscle relaxation. The unintended side effects, however, can be far less desirable.
Many people who take benzos feel very dizzy after consumption. Drowsiness is also common, and that feeling can last for a full day or longer. This isn’t ideal since most people who take benzos still want to see friends, work, and function in daily life without being exhausted.
Benzodiazepines can also cause headaches, dry mouth, nausea, and impaired cognition. Memory loss is possible, and gastrointestinal distress is likely. In short, taking benzos even once comes with a number of risks and unpleasant side effects.
There are other means of anxiety and insomnia management if you or a loved one experiences the negative effects of benzo use. Contact Soledad House for pain management programs.
What Happens if You Abuse Benzos?
Even those who take benzos for legitimate medical reasons can suffer from side effects. However, those who abuse benzos face even greater risks.
Abusing benzos might mean taking them illicitly or without medical supervision. It might also mean increasing dosage, mixing benzos with other substances, or taking the drugs inappropriately.
Taking too much of a benzodiazepine can lead to an overdose. If that happens, individuals may experience symptoms that include trouble breathing, tremors, and difficulty moving. An overdose might result in blue lips or fingers, and it can cause serious weakness. In extreme cases, an overdose on benzos can lead to a coma or even death.
Abusing benzos can also lead to addiction. Trying to withdraw alone can be unpleasant and dangerous in some instances, so you should always seek medical assistance.
Recover from an Addiction to Benzodiazepines at Soledad House
In a word, yes. Recovery from a benzos addiction is absolutely possible. However, it’s a challenge. That’s why medical professionals strongly recommend seeking out addiction programs.
In Soledad House’s women’s addiction treatment program, patients have access to:
- Individual, group, and family therapy in
- Sober living options
- Relapse prevention education in
- Narcotics Anonymous or 12-step meetings
- Exercise therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
What are benzos holding you back from? If you or someone you love struggles with benzodiazepine addiction, seek help and you can find out. Contact Soledad House in San Diego to overcome addiction with the help of evidence-based treatment plans. Call 866.314.3222 to embark on a journey to your sobriety.
