Benzodiazepine Addiction

The five major uses that all benzodiazepines excel at are:

• Hypnotic (to cause sleepiness);
• Anxiolytic (to lower anxiety/cause relaxation);
• Anti-seizure (to lower the likelihood of having seizures and convulsions);
• Muscle relaxant (to lower muscle tension and its attendant pain);
• Amnesic (amnestic) (tends to disrupt both long and short term memory).

Benzodiazepines are generally given for anxiety conditions, primarily panic disorder (PD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). They are sometimes given for seizure disorders or epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are sometimes given for insomnia and other sleep problems, such as restless leg syndrome (RLS). Benzodiazepines are also frequently given as muscle relaxants.

Benzodiazepines addiction can result from using the following medications: Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (ativan), Oxazepam (Serenid-d), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Medazepam (Nobrium), Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam – Klonopin (Rivotril), Bromazepam (Lexotan), Clobazam (Frisium), Clorazepate (Tranxene), Temazepam (Normison), Nitrazepam (Mogadon), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Flurazepam (Dalmane), Loprazolam(Dormonoct)

Benzodiazepines addiction: Risks of Taking Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines addiction can occur from any Benzodiazepines, because all benzodiazepines are addictive and can cause physical dependency. Benzodiazepines addiction can develop if they are taken daily for two to four weeks. In consequence, most are only prescribed for a short while. The body and brain become used to benzodiazepines resulting in original dose loosing effectiveness. This means that the patient will have to take more the same result. This is called tolerance.

Benzodiazepines are depressants and when used together with other depressive drugs such as alcohol or opiates, can cause an accidental overdose. H2:Benzodiazepine Addiction and Dependence Benzodiazepines are highly addictive. It is likely that you will be dependant on a benzodiazepine if you take it for more than four weeks. This means that withdrawal symptoms occur if the tablets are stopped suddenly.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Withdrawal

Benzodiazepines addiction causes the following withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, odd sensations, feelings of being “outside” the body, feelings of unreality, or confusion. Sometimes the withdrawal symptoms are similar to the original anxiety symptoms.

Physical symptoms include: sweating, sleeplessness, headache, tremor, tinnitus, feeling sick, palpitations, muscle spasms, and being oversensitive to light, sound and touch. Rarely, convulsions. Sudden withdrawal after high doses can cause fits. Therefore detoxification should be performed under medical supervision.

Benzodiazepines addiction cause various durations of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal often takes up to six weeks and sometimes longer. Withdrawal symptoms may not kick in for up to 2 days after stopping the drug, and are generally worst in the first week or so. Some people have small residual withdrawal symptoms for many months.