Benzodiazepines: A Risky, Addictive Solution for Anxiety

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Anxiety is a common problem in modern American life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.1% of Americans will experience clinical anxiety in 12 months. Of these cases, 22.8% can be considered severe.

Major anxiety interferes with daily functioning and can make it difficult to work or to maintain normal relationships.  While a variety of treatments are available, some of the most common medications prescribed for anxiety, called benzodiazepines, have addictive potential.

What are the Most Common Treatments for Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders can be treated using a variety of treatment modalities. Many people with anxiety receive individual or group therapy with a qualified counselor. Medication may also be used in addition to therapy or in place of it. Some antidepressants are used to treat anxiety, but many patients find that additional medication is often required to manage the most severe episodes. In these cases, Schedule IV narcotics called benzodiazepines may be prescribed.

If you or someone you love is dealing with anxiety, call our helpline at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) .

Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed medications for anxiety. Some of the medication names in this category include Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam).

What are the Risks Associated with Benzodiazepines?

These drugs tend to reduce anxiety very quickly. But they also have many side effects, which include the following:

Sleepiness is a common side effect of benzodiazepines.

• Sleepiness or sedation
• Memory loss
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Slow heart rate
• Confusion
• Headache
• Hangover-like effects (nausea, mental fogginess)

Patients taking benzodiazepines should be aware that certain foods or medications can increase the concentration of the drugs in their bloodstream. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice is known to increase the effect of benzodiazepines. A category of antacids called proton pump inhibitors also increases benzodiazepine concentration in your body.

Taking benzodiazepines with alcohol or other sedating drugs can have serious consequences. Respiratory depression can occur and can result in coma or even death.

How are Benzodiazepines Addictive?

Benzodiazepines produce withdrawal effects, particularly when they are taken for a long time. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms depends largely on how long the medication was taken, which medication was taken and in what doses. Certain benzodiazepines, such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Halcion (triazolam), have shorter half-lives and are therefore more likely to produce withdrawal symptoms.

Schedule 4 narcotics are classified as restricted substances because they can potentially result in abuse. But many drug experts believe that the danger of benzodiazepines is understated. Physical and psychological dependence on benzodiazepines can occur very quickly—often in as little as a few weeks. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, benzodiazepines are addictive and 80% of people who are addicted to benzodiazepines use more than one drug. Most of the time, the second drug is an opioid.

Benzodiazepines weaken a group of brain cells called inhibitory interneurons. These neurons normally prevent excessive dopamine levels. But benzodiazepines override the influence of these interneurons, causing a flood of dopamine to be released. This excessive dopamine release stimulates addiction.

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When patients try to discontinue using benzodiazepines, many experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal include the following:

• Increased anxiety and agitation
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Trembling
• Poor concentration
• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Flu-like symptoms
• Hearing and vision disturbances

When Benzodiazepines Require Medically Assisted Detox

People who have been taking large doses of benzodiazepines for a long time should never come off the drugs quickly because they can experience more serious withdrawal symptoms, including convulsions, catatonia, hallucinations, hyperthermia, psychosis and suicidal or homicidal ideation.

Getting off Schedule IV narcotics may require medical supervision and assistance. A more gradual taper may be necessary to reduce physical dependence on these drugs.

When you or someone you love is addicted to benzodiazepines, call the helpful experts at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) today.

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