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Benzodiazepine
Addiction
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 A tolerance to certain benzodiazepines
occurs most often in those who have used for
6 months or more. Physicians counteract the
effects of tolerance by increasing dosage in
small increments or by adding another
benzodiazepine to the prescription. Users
most often develop tolerance to the milder
effects of the drug, such as sedation and
impairment of motor coordination. A fair
amount of cross-tolerance exists between
benzodiazepines and other depressants such
as alcohol and barbiturates, thus users may
not feel the effects of these drugs as
potently as they would otherwise.
When used alone, benzodiazepines are
considered to carry an extremely low risk of
acute toxicity. However, benzodiazepines
often are used with other types of
medications, including other drugs with
abuse potential, thus these drugs can
enhance the toxic effects of
benzodiazepines. The latter interact
synergistically with other central nervous
system depressants, including other
hypnotics, sedating antidepressants,
neuroleptics, anticonvulsants,
antihistamines and alcohol. Fatal overdoses
in addicted patients often involve the
combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol,
with or without opiates. |
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The American Family Physician (AFP) reports
that benzodiazepines can be addicting when
used chronically. These agents are often
taken in combination with other drugs of
abuse by patients with addiction issues. The
AFP recommends that caution must be used
when prescribing benzodiazepines to patients
with a current or remote history of
substance abuse. |
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To ease the symptoms of withdrawal,
physicians recommend that users gradually
reduce the amount of medication ingested
until the dose is low enough that the
individual will not feel discomfort.
Withdrawal symptoms are most severe when a
high dose of either a short-acting or
intermediate-acting benzodiazepine is
abruptly discontinued. It is highly
advised one does not do a sudden withdrawal
from benzodiazepines. |
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If you are looking for help with addiction
and need help withdrawing from this
medication and/or other medications or
alcohol. Please contact us immediately. We
can answer any questions you may have and
direct you towards the correct treatment.
(877) 340-3602. |
The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a
national public health surveillance system
which collects information on drug abuse
related visits to emergency departments (EDs)
and drug abuse related deaths as reviewed by
medical examiners and coroners.
DAWN findings with regard to Benzodiazepines
include:
■ Alprazolam and clonazepam were the treat
anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Examples of
some benzodiazepines most frequently
reported in drug common brands include
Valium®, Xanax®, Librium®, abuse-related ED
visits in 2002. However, a third of and
Ativan®. total benzodiazepine mentions were
reported only as “benzodiazepine,” with no
specific drug name.
■ In 2002, over 100,000 drug abuse-related
emergency
department (ED) visits involved
benzodiazepines.
■ Most benzodiazepine-related ED visits
(78%)
involved more than one drug.
■ Drug abuse-related ED visits involving
benzodiazepines increased 41 percent from
1995 to 2002.
■ Alcohol was the substance most frequently
reported
with benzodiazepines in drug abuse-related
ED visits. |
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According to the APA report on benzodiazepines, 11
to 15 percent of the adult population has
taken a benzodiazepine one or more times
during the preceding year. |
Definitions
APA: American Psychiatric
Association
ED: Emergency Departments
Neuroleptics: antipsychotic drug
Polydrug: being or pertaining to several
drugs used simultaneously, esp. narcotics or
addictive drugs.
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Call Toll-Free
(877) 340-3602
To get your copy
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