The Warning Signs of Benzo Abuse: What You Should Know
Benzodiazepines, like many other prescription drugs, can be misused and cause addiction. These sedative medicines can be quite beneficial in calming someone suffering from severe anxiety or panic disorder and allowing them to operate normally. However, when taken in excess or recreationally, they might cause serious negative effects. Learn about Benzo abuse warning signs to determine whether someone in your life is at risk of addiction.
Palm Coast Treatment Solutions will assist you if you feel a loved one is abusing benzos or if they have developed a drug addiction. Our addiction treatment programs are tailored to each client’s specific needs, ensuring that all of their recovery requirements are addressed.
What are Benzos?
Benzos, or benzodiazepines, are a family of medications that are widely given to treat disorders such as:
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Bipolar disorder.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- Insomnia
- Panic disorder.
- Seizures
- Social Anxiety Disorder
Benzodiazepines have sedative effects that make individuals feel peaceful and relaxed. They, like many other drugs, are quick-acting prescriptions that are taken as needed rather than once a day.
How can Benzodiazepine Abuse Develop?
Benzodiazepines should only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription and used as prescribed, although some people abuse them. This phrase refers to using benzodiazepines without a prescription or using the medication differently than advised by your doctor.
What drives people to abuse benzodiazepines? Some people like the pleasurable effects and relaxation provided by benzos. Others take benzos to relieve anxiety, stress, and difficulty sleeping. Even with a valid prescription, a person may engage in benzo abuse by taking more than the recommended amount or using it more frequently.
Warning Signs of Benzodiazepine Abuse
Benzos are commonly abused to deal with stress, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health problems. However, the abuse of benzodiazepines can be dangerous to your health. To prevent a loved one from becoming addicted to benzos, keep an eye out for the following warning signs:
Taking More Than Prescribed
Sometimes people take more pills than their doctor recommends to maximize the soothing effect. However, this increases the risk of unwanted effects, overdose, and dependence.
Taking Benzos Recreationally
If a person consumes Benzo while they have no symptoms, they are using the drug recreationally. Benzos are designed to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, and other problems, but they should be used only as needed to reduce symptoms.
Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
Over time, a person’s body may become dependent on benzodiazepines to feel calm and relaxed. Once they develop dependence, they will feel uncomfortable when the drug is no longer in their system. They may experience benzo withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, severe depression, and muscle cramps.
Behavioral Signs:
- Doctor shopping: Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors to obtain more benzos.
- Lying or hiding medication use: Feeling ashamed or secretive about taking benzos.
- You are engaging in risky behaviors: Increased impulsivity and poor judgment under the influence of benzos.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Work, school, and personal relationships suffer due to Benzo’s abuse.
- Financial problems: Spending excessive money on obtaining benzos, leads to debt or financial strain.
Treatment Options for Benzodiazepine Abuse:
- Several treatment options can help individuals overcome Benzo’s dependence and addiction. These include:
- Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of therapy can address underlying issues and develop coping mechanisms.
- Support groups: Connecting with others who understand the challenges of Benzo’s addiction can provide valuable support and make more options available.
Palm Coast Treatment Solutions offers help for benzodiazepine abuse in Florida.
If you suspect a loved one is misusing benzodiazepines, speak with them about seeking assistance. Palm Coast Treatment Solutions offers reliable, evidence-based therapy for benzodiazepine misuse.
Our compassionate addiction treatment specialists will guarantee that your loved one goes through benzo withdrawal safely and with assistance every step of the way. Call Palm Coast Treatment Solutions at (386) 284-4151 for additional information on how to help a loved one stop using benzos.
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