Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of drugs used to relax muscles, relieve tension, and decrease anxiety. While benzos successfully treat anxiety disorders, they are also highly addictive and can lead to serious health risks if abused. If you or someone you love is struggling with benzo abuse, it’s crucial to understand how types of benzos work and which ones are the most commonly abused benzos, as well as what treatments are available.
Call 816.208.8106 to speak with someone from DeNovo Recovery about our benzo addiction treatment program in Missouri. Our caring and compassionate team of professionals is here to help you or your loved one on the journey to sobriety.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzos are medications for anxiety-related mental health conditions—including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia. They work by reducing activity in the central nervous system (CNS), which helps to relax muscles and decrease anxious thoughts. The effects of benzos can last anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the type of medication prescribed.
Benzos are typically prescription medications, though they may be obtained illegally through online pharmacies, dealers, or friends.
What Are the Most Commonly Abused Benzos?
The most commonly abused benzodiazepines include the following:
- Ativan
- Dalmane
- Halcion
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Restoril
- Valium
- Versed
- Xanax
These drugs produce feelings of euphoria when taken in high doses, which makes them attractive targets for recreational drug use. When taken outside of a doctor’s prescription or instructions, these drugs can be extremely dangerous as they have a high potential for abuse and dependence.
How Does Benzo Abuse Develop?
Benzo abuse typically starts with taking more than the prescribed dose or using the drug without a prescription. Doing so can lead to physical dependence, where people need increasingly higher doses to get the same effect they had before. At this point, benzo addiction begins. In situations like this, people cannot stop using benzos despite negative consequences such as financial problems or job loss due to drug use.
What Are the Dangers of Benzo Abuse?
Abusing benzodiazepines increases a person’s risk of developing severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Benzo addiction can also lead to dangerous physical side effects such as increased heart rate, respiratory depression, seizures, liver damage, and kidney failure.
It also increases their risk of overdosing on other drugs or alcohol because benzodiazepines slow down breathing rates and depress the central nervous system when taken in large doses or combined with alcohol or other depressants. Situations like this are why polysubstance abuse is a significant problem and why benzos should not be used recreationally.
What to Expect from Benzo Addiction Treatment
Several options are available depending on your needs and preferences if you seek treatment for benzo addiction. Most benzo addiction treatment programs often include the following:
- Educational classes to learn healthy coping skills
- Family therapy to repair relationships damaged by addiction
- Group therapy to build social support networks with peers who share similar struggles
- Individual counseling sessions to address underlying mental health issues that may have contributed to substance abuse
At DeNovo Recovery, each client receives a customized addiction treatment plan to ensure they get the best care possible. Our highly trained clinical staff is committed to providing clients with the tools, skills, and support needed to transition into a sober lifestyle successfully.
Find Benzo Addiction Treatment in Missouri at DeNovo Recovery
Benzo abuse is a severe problem that requires professional help to overcome. If you’re in Missouri, contact DeNovo Recovery today at 816.208.8106 to learn more about commonly abused types of benzos and our benzo addiction treatment program.