Signs & Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Use

Benzodiazepines are a type of drug used medically to calm a person who is overexcited and anxious. But they are also one of the most popular prescription drugs to abuse.

The list of benzodiazepine drugs is long, and the brand names vary. Benzos include:

• Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)
• Versed (midazolam)
• Mogadon (nitrazepam)
• Halcion (triazolam)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
• Valium (diazepam)
• Stilny (norazepam)
• Ativan (lorazepam)

Some of these drugs are considered sedatives and others are considered anti-anxiety drugs.

Girls and woman abuse sedatives and tranquilizers as often or more often than men, and this abuse may start early. In European schools, 8% of those 15 or 16 years old had used these drugs at some time in their lives.

The signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine abuse are very commonly the following:

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Blurred vision
• Being unsteady on one’s feet
• Poor judgment
• Bad dreams

Amnesia is a particularly disturbing symptom of benzodiazepine abuse. These drugs are often given before surgery for that exact reason—to cause a person to forget the procedure.

When a person abuses benzodiazepines and drinks at the same time, they are at a greater risk for overdose because both drugs depress the central nervous system. This can cause the person to stop breathing. This can also be the case in polydrug use, where a person abuses multiple drugs at once, such as opiates and benzos together.

Dangerous Manifestations of Benzodiazepine Abuse

A person abusing benzos will be an impaired driver, and may become hostile or aggressive. This can result in the abuser assaulting another person and being injured in this assault, or in a car accident that results from the drug abuse.

A benzo abuser or addict will develop a tolerance for the drug, meaning that they can take more and more, up to the point of taking amounts of the drug that would have made them very ill earlier. Those abusing benzos must be weaned off the drug carefully, under competent medical supervision.

Recovering from Benzodiazepine Addiction

The good news is that it is possible to recover and live an enjoyable sober life after benzodiazepine addiction. The Narconon drug recovery facilities located around Europe have a very good track record of helping these people get clean and learn the skills they need to stay clean. Narconon centres have one of the highest success rates in this field—the majority of graduates stay sober after they go home.

Learn just how the Narconon drug rehab program helps addicts to all types of drugs achieve this new sober life. Call Narconon Europe center: +45-78-76-66-67.

Resources:

http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/benzodiazepine