Benzodiazepines: Symptoms Of Abuse

Benzodiazepines are a type of prescription medication intended specifically for sedation. Unfortunately, many people, who start using these drugs for appropriate reasons, eventually find that they've fallen prey to its addictive properties and need help from a professional benzo rehab center like Miracles Asia to get their habits back under control.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at abusing benzodiazepines, signs and symptoms thereof, as well as how to deal with benzo addiction and the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Let's get into it.

Before we delve into benzodiazepine abuse symptoms and other related topics, let's discuss the drug's legitimate uses. Benzodiazepines, or Benzos for short, are common drugs prescribed by many doctors.

Some of the main reasons for prescribing this drug include the following:

These are some of the most commonly prescribed medications, and since there are many uses for benzodiazepines, symptoms may vary significantly. However, the causes listed above are the primary ones.

Benzodiazepine addiction is when someone begins to use the medication regularly because they desire the effects thereof.

The mild sedative effects of benzodiazepine make them a target for addiction and abuse. Not only patients who receive prescriptions for benzodiazepines are susceptible to abuse.

Unfortunately, many people also self-medicate with these drugs to manage undiagnosed anxiety and other mental health disorders.

While most of these medications are only available via prescription, there's an unfortunately strong illegal trade making them available to the general public.

There are two related terms regarding drug abuse. The first is addiction, and the second is dependency.

People suffering from benzodiazepine addiction generally use the drug because they desire its calming effect. They feel that they need the drug to deal with their day-to-day existence.

On the other hand, people suffering from drug dependency really do need the drug to survive. Their bodies have become so used to having the drug in their systems that they can no longer function properly without them.

In the case of drug addiction, benzodiazepine withdrawal may be mild or more severe. In the case of physical dependence, the patient must be weaned off the drug, or the withdrawal symptoms may be severe enough to cause death.

Every type of drug abuse and addiction has unique signs and symptoms. Benzodiazepine addiction is no different. Below, we'll take a closer look at some of the physical and behavioral signs of Benzo addiction.

Benzo addiction takes a hefty toll on individuals suffering from it. This toll manifests itself through various physical benzodiazepine abuse signs, including the following:

Benzodiazepine abuse has many behavioral symptoms that go along with it. Some of these may include the following symptoms:

Patients recovering from substance abuse may go through withdrawal. With this particular type of prescription medication, the withdrawal symptoms may include the following:

When it comes to withdrawal resulting from benzodiazepine abuse, the symptoms can be extremely severe. In severe cases, withdrawal may even be fatal. Fortunately, a well-planned treatment program can prevent many of the physical and psychosocial symptoms that go with withdrawal.

Whether it's benzodiazepine, alcohol, or other drugs, substance abuse can have some unfortunate effects. With these medications in particular, prolonged addiction and physical dependence can lead to a range of unfortunate side effects.

One of the greatest dangers of benzodiazepine abuse is that patients systematically increase their dosages. Over time, their bodies require more and more of the medication to have the same effect that a small dose once had. Eventually, even relatively large doses have little effect due to the body's tolerance.

At this point, it's easy to take a benzodiazepine overdose. Fortunately, while this type of overdose is common, benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths are less common than in opioid addiction. That said, multiple people die from benzodiazepine overdose every year.

Other problems resulting from addiction to these commonly abused drugs include distanced relationships with family and loved ones, inability to function, and even opening the door to secondary addictions.

Patients struggling with benzodiazepine abuse symptoms can receive multiple different forms of treatment to help them go through the rehabilitation process.

From avoiding the fatal overdose effects of benzodiazepine to managing co-occurring disorders and dealing with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, a valuable treatment program is essential.


Below, we'll take a closer look at some of the treatment options and support tools that can help you overcome drug abuse and addiction.

Medically assisted detox is one of the best ways to manage a Benzo addiction or physical dependence. In an accredited rehab with trained healthcare professionals, patients can receive the medical attention they need.

Especially when the benzodiazepine abuse has coincided with addiction to other drugs, medical problems are a definite possibility.

With a medically-assisted detox, doctors can slowly wean the individual off the drug by gradually lessening the doses. This allows the patient to get free of the benzo addiction without dealing with the withdrawal symptoms.

With benzodiazepine addiction, benzodiazepines are mainly a temptation to individuals already dealing with depression, anxiety, or another type of mental disorder. When someone who has been abusing benzodiazepines decides to get sober, therapy is an essential part of the process.

As these medications begin to decrease in the bloodstream, it's highly likely that the patient may experience extreme anxiety or depression. Dealing with these symptoms through therapy rather than medication can help prevent a relapse or a shift to a new kind of addiction.

When detoxing from benzodiazepine medications in a rehab center, medication-assisted treatment is a common choice. While it's technically a sort of medical detox, it doesn't always involve weaning the patient off the drug.

Especially when the benzo addiction goes with co-occurring disorders, there are many risk factors to consider. Medication-assisted treatment options use secondary medications to treat the symptoms of withdrawal. It can help to mitigate risk, lessen drug-seeking behaviors, and decrease the likelihood of fatal benzo withdrawal symptoms.

We all need help and support in our day-to-day lives. When it comes to recovering from benzodiazepine misuse, support groups are a fantastic tool.

Not only will it help make the rehabilitation process easier, but it will also help patients to avoid returning to drug use when they face problems.

Susceptibility to drug abuse has a genetic component, and finding alternate ways to deal with stress and anxiety is essential when trying to avoid relapses. Support groups can help share their experiences and techniques and even offer tools for dealing with drug cravings.

When you abuse benzodiazepines and then recover, making changes to your lifestyle is vital. If you go back to living exactly the way you were living before, it will be so much easier for you to fall into bad habits.

Therapy, support groups, and even your doctors at the rehab center can help you identify parts of your lifestyle that aren't beneficial. Making changes to these areas can help you stay clean and sober.

When you seek treatment for a Benzo addiction, one tool that's worth looking for is long-term follow-up programs. 

If you can find a rehab center that will continue to walk with you and do follow-ups in the time after you leave the facility, that's better for you. 

You may also want to try and build a support system of people that can help keep you from falling into old habits.

Many people start taking benzodiazepines for their sedative effect and eventually have multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors. Family members and loved ones often see the Benzo abuse symptoms long before the individual is willing to acknowledge them.

Fortunately, recovering from benzodiazepine abuse is possible. Here at our Thailand rehab center, we have fantastic programs specifically for dealing with addiction to benzodiazepines and other dangerous drugs.

From taking you through medical detox to putting you in touch with support groups and helping you identify potential lifestyle changes, Miracles Asia covers it all. Located in a scenic area of Thailand, our facility also offers access to many activities and beautiful sights.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you or your loved ones deal with the signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine abuse.