Benzodiazepines should not be stopped suddenly, or withdrawal symptoms may occur. Withdrawal symptoms usually include the return of anxiety symptoms, irritability, insomnia, headache, and blurred vision. Hallucinations or seizures are rare but possible, especially after suddenly stopping long-term high dose or short-acting therapy.
He Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that doctors avoid prescribing Xanax and other benzodiazepines with opioid pain medication whenever possible. Your treatment plan may focus solely on benzodiazepine use or could include co-occurring disorders such as mental illness or polysubstance use (using benzos in conjunction with other substances, such as alcohol). Some people benefit from inpatient rehab programs when they are first working to overcome a benzodiazepine addiction. Residential treatment centers eliminate external factors, like environmental and social triggers, and help with the detox process, making it easier to get through initial benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Thankfully, more people are recognizing the dangers of benzodiazepine abuse and are seeking treatment in dedicated rehab facilities across the country. These treatment centers, be they inpatient or outpatient programs, can offer a medically supervised detox to ensure the patient is safely removing the drug from their system while reducing and managing withdrawal symptoms.
Women are more susceptible to BZD overuse because they are more likely to be prescribed than men 29. Mclean et al. 2011 reported that the diagnosis of anxiety and stress disorders has a higher prevalence in women, which can explain the discrepancies in the prescription for men vs. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ women 30. Most benzodiazepines are available in a generic form which can lead to cost-savings for patients.
The decrease in nervous system activity makes these medications helpful for a variety of symptoms and conditions. While Armstrong said there’s a time and a place for the use of anti-anxiety medications, she empowers clients by educating them about how their bodies work and giving them tools to manage their anxiety. When viewed through the lens of the nervous system, anxiety symptoms are a survival response, one that makes sense in the context of the human body and a person’s current and past experiences. Therapy can also benefit people by teaching them to notice internal physiological sensations such as racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling.
Benzodiazepine Abuse Treatment
- Carbamazepine has a modest benefit12 and pregabalin can be effective.18 Antidepressants and beta blockers have no proven benefit.
- Oxcarbazepine has a better side effect profile and is a more tolerable anticonvulsant than older antiepileptic drugs 71.
- Captodiamine is showing promise as a potential medication for the management of BZD withdrawal syndrome; however, more research needs to be performed on the side effects and safety profile of the drug.
There are several ways to access help from addiction experts who are best placed to support you during detox. The medication will be in your breast milk and could cause issues for your baby. If you drive and have above a certain limit of these drugs in your blood, you can be found guilty of an offence.
The risk of physical or psychological dependence is another reason why medication should not be the only tool for managing anxiety and panic disorders. Working through underlying issues through talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed psychologist, as well as having a supportive network is essential for managing anxiety and panic disorders. With assistance, the right treatment, and a solid understanding of the disorder, the vast majority of people with anxiety and panic disorders continue to have full, rewarding lives. The risk of falls leading to injuries in elderly BZD users is significantly increased in patients greater than 80 years old, while the increased risk is not significant in patients under 80 22.
- Other factors can also contribute to anxiety, such as sleep deprivation, being overstressed or over-caffeinated, suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, or lacking connection to other people and community.
- Despite the increase in risk, less than 13% of the non-overdose deaths were trauma related.
- More studies need to be performed on treating withdrawal with propranolol, including testing it as a potential adjunct to tapering off both long-acting and short-acting BZD.
- Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can provide a safe space to meet peers who have also struggled with addiction and share experiences and advice.
Can I become addicted to benzodiazepines?
Fraudulent and counterfeit medications are often marketed and sold online to unsuspecting consumers. Beware of online pharmacy purchases; in general, consumers in the U.S. should only purchase medications from their local pharmacy or a health-plan administered mail-order pharmacy. Withdrawal reactions can also occur if the drug is stopped suddenly, especially those that are shorter-acting. Discontinuation of a benzodiazepine should be done gradually under a doctor’s direction. Benzodiazepines open GABA-activated chloride channels and allow chloride ions to enter the neuron. This action allows the neuron to become negatively charged and resistant to excitation, which leads to the various anti-anxiety, sedative, or anti-seizure activity seen with these drugs.
Still, they will not provide immediate relief of intense anxiety or stop a panic attack. Benzodiazepines are safe when taken as directed and are effective at quickly relieving panic symptoms. Other studies have assessed different methods of counseling on BZD dangers and alternatives to patients alongside a gradual taper off the drugs.
Are there any side effects?
In cases in which benzodiazepines are necessary in an older individual, the most favored options are known as the “LOT drugs” (lorazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam). This is because they are shorter-acting and do not have active metabolites, making them less likely to cause residual or longer-term side effects. These effects help relieve the symptoms of certain conditions it’s used for, such as anxiety and panic disorder, and are why it is sometimes used for sedation. Some studies in the past have shown that there is a correlation between chronic BZD use and a decline in cognitive function, including the development of dementia and dementia-like diseases. One study showed a potential for cognitive decline after BZD use in the elderly, but at the same time did not find a link between their use and the development of Alzheimer’s dementia 73.
- In a survey of British general practitioners, many reported pressures in prescribing BZD to patients and a lack of adequate knowledge on alternative psychological treatment for insomnia 41.
- Additionally, younger patients tend to have a decreased success rate of discontinuing BZD use than older patients 66.
- However, benzodiazepines can be deadly when taken in combination with other substances that slow brain functions, such as alcohol and prescription painkillers (opioids).
- Pregnant women and fetuses are at increased risk for adverse effects of withdrawal; they both metabolize BZD slowly, and the drug can cross the placenta to cause concentrations to build up to significant levels in the neonate 18.
At first, the body can react negatively to the absence of benzodiazepines because it relied on the drug to function properly. In order to successfully overcome a benzodiazepine addiction, the individual needs to maintain a committed approach to recovery after the initial period of rehab is complete. When a treatment program is organized at a treatment center they will always include a recovery plan for ongoing treatment. This may include a course of therapy such as CBT and will normally recommend that the person recovering attend support groups.
For example, lorazepam has a much shorter duration than diazepam, allowing quicker clearance of the drug and theoretically less side effects. On the other hand, diazepam can remain in the system for days and increase the risk for long-term side effects, especially in the elderly. Short-term benzodiazepine use is generally favored over long-term use among prescribing clinicians. There is considerable evidence surrounding the risks of benzodiazepine use in general; however, in those who use benzodiazepines chronically and regularly, the risks of discontinuation have yet to be well characterized.
- If you drink alcohol whilst taking benzodiazepines, you are likely to feel more tired.
- This was further supported by data from Rooney et al. which reported that 54% of abusers of oxycodone are also dependent on a BZD 45.
- You should only be prescribed benzodiazepines for the shortest amount of time possible.
- The alpha subunit has various isoforms, which dictate a BZD’s effects on the CNS.
They showed that benzodiazepine increased the incidence of non-overdose death in these patients which may be attributed to its impairment of cognition, sensory, and motor skills and increased risk of fall leading to injuries 49. Despite the increase in risk, less than 13% of the non-overdose deaths were trauma related. A study investigating the prescription of opioids and BZD in veterans showed an increased risk of overdose death in veterans who have prescriptions for both BZD and opioids at the same time 50.
Most Commonly Prescribed Benzodiazepines
Still, due to the severe potential for dependence and deadly withdrawal sequelae, guidelines for recommended use are no longer than a few weeks. Despite this, numerous alcoholism treatment studies report usage extending for months into years or even decades in many users 9. Additionally, according to several studies, BZD use increases with age, with long-term usage most prevalent in the 65 and older population 16. Long-term use is defined as two or more months at a therapeutic dose and when used long-term, BZDs pose potential harmful effects.