Benzos are prescription drugs that can get abused. It can even lead to dangerous consequences. For this reason, we’ll go over the ten important things you’ll want to know about it. While benzos are prescribed usually in good faith, they can be abused fairly quickly.
That’s why you need to get the help you need if you are dealing with it yourself. If you are interested in learning more about Epiphany Wellness, their website will have more information. You can try it out and see how much of a difference it can make for you.
Let’s begin with the following ten things you need to know about benzo abuse in adults.
Benzos are not fatal to overdose on by themselves
The truth is, you won’t die from an overdose on benzos. Especially when they are a low dosage drug. Before we go any further, you may have heard that benzos had played a role in overdose deaths. The next point will explain why that is the case.
Benzos mixed with alcohol and drugs can be fatal
The real cause for benzo related deaths is when it’s mixed with alcohol and other drugs. There are explicit instructions that state that you should never use these prescription drugs with alcohol. Even if you mix a small amount of alcohol with benzos, it can lead to adverse health effects.
In the long-term, it can also lead to damage to your body. If you are prescribed benzos to treat a medical condition, you will need to follow the directions outlined by your doctor.
It can be easy to develop an addiction
One of the most alarming things about benzos is that it can be easy to get addicted to. When benzos are introduced to your body, it will cause your dopamine levels to increase dramatically. Your brain will be flooded to the point where you are feeling more than the normal amount of good.
This may feel like something you can’t get enough of. For that reason, you start taking benzos on a regular basis (other than the designated dose) to attain that sense of euphoria. Then, you build up a tolerance to the point where you take more and more of it.
You can also achieve this sense of euphoria by mixing it with other substances. Again, this can lead to fatal consequences. Addiction to benzos can be easy to form and thus leading to this next point.
It can be a difficult addiction to beat
Benzos may not be as potent as prescription opioids. Yet, the withdrawal symptoms from benzos can be just as serious. For example, you can suffer from the following:
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle tremors or stiffness
- Increased anxiety and tension
- Panic attacks
- Disturbances in sleep
- Heart palpitations
These are common, but serious withdrawal symptoms. Some have even reported psychosis and seizures, particularly in those that have used benzos in high doses. Yes, benzos by themselves are low dose drugs.
However, the withdrawal symptoms will be difficult to deal with. Even if you are prescribed to treat a medical condition, you should not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor.
A high chance of neurological disorders
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease is possible with benzo abuse. It is said that the more they are used, the higher the risks of this developing. This has applied to patients who have used benzos (or even abused them) for at least five years.
Those who have taken it for at least six months or longer had increased their risks of getting the disease by 84 percent. This is one reason why abusing benzos or any other substance can lead to long-term consequences. Even the ones where they may be impossible to reverse.
Cognitive impairment is common
Even with regular use of benzos, you may run into the risk of cognitive impairment. This can be accelerated if the person is abusing them. This can also lead to memory issues as well (thus, the high risk of Alzheimer’s Disease).
Your doctor may inform you of any side effects or issues you may deal with. Especially if you are taking benzos at a therapeutic level.
Anxiety is treatable with benzos, yet it’s also a side effect
As crazy as it sounds, anxiety is one of the side effects for some benzos. You may be prescribed benzos just to treat that same disorder. So it may seem like the treatment itself is counterintuitive.
This means you may need to consider other options to treat your anxiety. This will mean treatment without the use of benzos. If you are taking benzos and still dealing with anxiety, you’ll want to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
Early death is possible
Unfortunately, early death can occur with benzos. As mentioned, the combination with alcohol and other substances can be fatal. The increased risk of Alzheimer’s is also another reason why this can occur.
Those who have been prescribed benzos have seen their chances of early death increase by half. This may be one more good reason why it’s important to consider alternative therapy options that may not involve benzos at all.
Rehab and detox may not be a good idea for those using benzos
This is a shocking fact. However, let’s give you some reassurance. If you are using benzos for regular therapeutic reasons, rehab and detox centers will not be the place to go.
You’ll want to consider your treatment options to deal with withdrawal symptoms due to no longer using benzos. Ask your doctor about what they are so you can deal with them accordingly without dealing with serious consequences.
Alternatives to benzos are available
As we have mentioned before, you don’t have to be treated for a condition with benzos. That’s why there are other alternative options that are available. You’ll want to ask your doctor what they are and how they fit in with your treatment plans.
This can not only save you time, but it can also save your life. Your body will thank you later.
