What are Benzos?

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a class of psychoactive prescription drugs that slow brain function and decrease central nervous system functions by enhancing the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Benzos fall under central nervous system depressants and are typically used to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures. While benzos are often sold illegally, they are also prescribed by health care providers.

Other Names for Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are also known as:

Are Benzos Addictive?

This type of central nervous system depressant is highly addictive. It’s important to understand that addiction to benzos can occur even when they are prescribed and being taken according to your doctor’s instructions.

Addiction to benzos can occur quite quickly. In fact, research shows that after just four weeks of daily use (even as prescribed), a dependence can develop. For this reason, it’s essential for healthcare providers to carefully monitor anyone taking benzodiazepines.

The Different Classes & Types of Benzodiazepines

Benzos are prescribed for anxiety disorders as well as sleep disorders. They’re also used for patients who experience seizures or those who go through alcohol withdrawal. They are not intended for long-term use. Those who continue to use the drug long-term are classified as off-label use and are no longer considered as effective through medical use. Off-label use has limited research and increases the risk of addiction. It also increases dependence, meaning you need more of the drug over time to create the same effects. Individuals may use drugs for off-label use to help them with prolonged anxiety, masking depression, or as a sleep aid. However, their risk of dependence becomes much higher when this happens.

Short-Acting Benzos

There are different classifications of benzos that range in how long they last. Short-acting benzos can be used for anxiety attacks, seizures, or occasional sleep issues that require fast-acting relief. Their effects come on within 30 minutes and typically last 4-8 hours.

These drugs include:

Intermediate-Acting Benzos

The next class of benzos come on slightly longer than short-acting (30-60 minutes), and typically last 4-8 hours, even 12. These drugs are used for anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, and short-term insomnia.

These drugs include:

Long-Acting Benzos

Long-acting benzos are the slowest to come on (1-2 hours), but their effects last anywhere from 12-24 hours.

Long-acting benzos include:

Benzos Prescribed for Anxiety Disorders

Benzos Prescribed for Sleep Disorders

Benzos Prescribed to Control Seizures

Benzos Prescribed for Alcohol Withdrawal

How Do Benzos Affect the Body?

Benzos come in a tablet form and, as mentioned, are generally prescribed to help with certain mental health and physical conditions. This class of drugs are used to:

Benzos are usually taken orally, but they can also be crushed and snorted. Snorting produces a faster effect than orally taking the tablet. The effects can be felt usually within an hour of consumption and can last for anywhere from between two hours to days. This is dependent on if the type of benzo is short, immediate, or long-acting as well as the dosage.

In general, different dosages are used to treat differing conditions. Low doses are used to manage insomnia and anxiety by producing sedation. Moderate doses are used to help prevent seizures. Higher doses are used to treat insomnia.

Benzos affect the body by making the user feel sleepy, happy, relaxed and decreases anxiety symptoms, creating an overall calming effect. Some side effects of benzodiazepines effects can include:

When taken in high doses (or more than prescribed or more frequently than prescribed), benzos can impair the person’s ability to function as they normally would. In addition, it’s vital to note that when benzos are taken in combination with alcohol, these side effects are exaggerated and can become life-threatening. Both alcohol and benzos slow the central nervous system and often the results can be deadly.

When taken for long periods of time, there can be serious side effects from benzos. Some of the long-term effects can include cognitive decline, memory issues, impaired judgment, increased risk of accidents, and more. The misuse of this type of prescription drug can result in serious complications, such as:

The risk for developing an addiction to benzos is high. This is even true when benzos are being taken as prescribed. As mentioned, after just four weeks of use, dependence can develop. It’s important to look for signs of addiction to benzos even early on in use.

Impact on Different Populations

It’s important to note that different drugs affect everybody differently. Specific populations of people, such as the elderly and pregnant women, are at a higher risk for complications and adverse effects.

Elderly Patients

Seniors are typically more sensitive to the effects of benzos and typically need less of the drug. The effects of benzos can increase their chances of falling (due to their sedative effects), or they can create cognitive impairment, especially those with dementia, and may result in slowed breathing in extreme cases. Those with pre-existing medical conditions should discuss with their doctor if benzos are appropriate or “worth” the risks.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take benzos. They can cause birth defects (especially in the first trimester), neonatal withdrawal, where the unborn child becomes addicted to the drug and will experience withdrawal symptoms after they’re born, or benzos can create drowsiness in newborn infants who breastfeed. It’s always important to check with your doctor when starting any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Teens

During the teenage years, individuals are more prone to dependence and addiction due to their brain still being developed. Plus, benzodiazepines can increase anxiety or depression in teens, leading to suicidal behavior. They can also affect their cognitive functioning as their brain develops.

For all age groups and classifications, benzos can increase drowsiness, cognitive functioning (such as alertness or memory), and increase the risk of becoming dependent or addicted. The risks should be carefully considered by a reputable healthcare provider.

Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and CDC WONDER, there were 10,964 drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in 2022. If you think you or a loved one may be addicted to benzos, it’s essential to know the signs and get help. Here are some symptoms of a benzo addiction:

Physical Symptoms

Behavioral Symptoms

Addiction to benzos can happen quickly — even if they are being taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional. It’s vital that anyone who thinks they may be addicted to or have developed a dependence on benzos not quit cold turkey. Benzo withdrawal can not only be very difficult to navigate on your own, but it can also be deadly.

Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms from benzos can be severe. In fact, detoxing from benzos is as difficult as detoxing from heroin — and also just as dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms from benzos last longer than other drugs. These are some of the most common benzo withdrawal symptoms:

Physical Symptoms

Behavioral Symptoms

When it comes to benzo withdrawal, the most common issue is what is called ‘rebound’ anxiety. This usually occurs within one to four days after you stop using the drug and is characterized by uncomfortable anxiety and insomnia. Generally, the entire benzo withdrawal period lasts about 10 to 14 days.

It’s important to understand that stopping taking benzos ‘cold turkey’ is very dangerous and can even be life-threatening. For this reason, it’s essential to seek professional help if you or a loved one want to stop using benzos.

Is Librium a Benzo?

Librium is a benzodiazepine that also goes by the name chlordiazepoxide. As a medication, it is used to increase the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which effectively decreases anxiety and promotes feelings of calm, relaxation, and sleepiness.

Treatment for Benzo Addiction

There are effective treatments for benzo addiction that can help the person who is using benzos safely stop taking them. The first step of any benzo treatment program should be to safely detox from the drugs. It is highly recommended that detoxing from benzos happens under medical supervision.

During this process, the patient should be closely monitored for seizures and other adverse complications. Medications should be administered when possible to ease withdrawal symptoms. The length of a patient’s detox, as well as symptom intensity, is dependent on the severity and duration of the patient’s addiction and the type of benzo that he or she uses.

After safely detoxing, patients enter the prolonged recovery phase. This should involve some form of behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or individual and group counseling. Behavioral therapy interventions address the underlying causes of addiction and teach the addict how to identify, avoid, and cope with situations that trigger drug use.

Self-help groups, such as 12-Step groups, may also benefit recovery. They provide peer support and open forums to discuss addiction-related experiences. The encouragement and hope these groups offer are often instrumental to long-term sobriety.

How Caron Can Help

Caron provides evidence-based, specialized addiction treatment through signature and core programming with respect and compassion. We treat people with benzo addictions, as well as those with cross-addictions to other substances or process addictions. At Caron, we believe in Real Results. Real Care. We are Real About Recovery. If you’re ready to get help, contact us today. Call 1-855-445-5693.