Understanding Benzo Addiction

Learn About Benzo Addiction & Abuse

Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are a class of medications that are typically prescribed to relieve symptoms of anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. Medications such as Xanax, Klonopin, Librium, Valium, and Ativan belong to the benzodiazepine family. Benzos are depressants, which means they reduce nervous system activity and thus can bring relief from anxiety and cause feelings of relaxation. Unfortunately, however, these positive feelings can encourage some people to take more of the medication than they need, or to take benzos recreationally, possibly leading to an addiction that can have severe negative effects on nearly all areas of a person’s life. Thankfully, however, with proper treatment it is possible to find freedom from a benzodiazepine use disorder.

Statistics

Benzo Abuse Statistics

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, abuse of sedatives, hypnotics, and antianxiety medications occurs in an estimated 0.3% of 12- to 17-year-olds and 0.2% of adults in a given year. Among people older than 18, rates of abuse tend to be greater among males than females, though among people younger than 18, abuse is more common in females. People ages 18 to 29 are the most likely to abuse these drugs.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Benzo Abuse

Much like with other substances of abuse, there are numerous causes and risk factors for benzo abuse, such as:

Genetic: As with many other mental health and substance use disorders, genetic influences play a significant role as a potential risk factor for benzo abuse. People with family members who have substance use disorders are more likely to abuse benzos than are people without a family history of substance use.

Environmental: Much of the environmental influence on risk of benzo abuse relates to the availability of the drugs. Namely, people who are prescribed benzos are more likely to abuse them than are people who do not have easy access to benzos. In addition, other factors such peer influence and family environment can affect a person’s risk of benzo abuse.

Risk Factors:

Novelty-seeking temperament
Impulsive tendencies
Family history of substance abuse
Ease of access to benzos
Presence of other co-occurring substance use disorders
Associating with peers who abuse benzos

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Abuse

People who are abusing benzos can show a range of signs and symptoms of abuse. While these signs and symptoms can vary according to an individual’s personality, the length of abuse, and the extent of abuse, the following are some common indicators that a person may be abusing these drugs:

Behavioral symptoms:

Inappropriate sexual or aggressive behavior
Using benzos in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended
Unsuccessful efforts to reduce benzo use
Investing much time and energy in obtaining more of one’s benzo of choice, using the drug, or recovering from its effects
Failure to fulfill major social, academic, or work obligations as a result of use
Continuing to use benzos even in situations where use may be hazardous

Physical symptoms:

Slurred speech
Loss of coordination
Stumbling or difficulty walking
Uncontrollable eye movements
Experiencing tolerance, which means needing more of the drug in order to feel its effects
Experiencing withdrawal when discontinuing use

Cognitive symptoms:

Impaired judgment
Poor attention or memory
Amnesia or “blackouts”
Cravings for more of one’s benzo of choice

Psychosocial symptoms:

Fluctuations in mood
Impaired social functioning
Continuing to use benzos despite recurrent interpersonal problems, such as relationship tension with a significant other
Avoiding or giving up important social, occupational, or academic activities in order to continue using benzos

Effects

Effects of Benzo Abuse

Social difficulties
Problems with performance at work or school
Job loss or academic expulsion
Financial difficulties
Relational strain
Loss of child custody
Onset or worsening of mental health symptoms
Polysubstance use, addiction, or chemical dependency
Legal problems
Overdose, especially if combined with alcohol

Co-Occurring Disorders

Benzo Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders

People who struggle with benzodiazepine use disorder may meet criteria for other mental health disorders, such as:

Other substance use disorders
Antisocial personality disorder
Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Benzo Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of benzodiazepine withdrawal: If a person attempts to stop using benzos after a long period of use, he or she may experience some of the following effects:

Elevated nervous system activity
Tremors or shaking
Trouble sleeping
Nausea
Vomiting
Short-duration hallucinations
Anxiety
Seizure

Effects of benzodiazepine overdose: When a person ingests more of a substance than his or her body can metabolize or excrete, he or she will experience an overdose. While accidental overdoses with benzos are typically not severe, overdoses are especially dangerous when a person is also using other substances simultaneously, such as alcohol, or is intentionally overdosing. Effects of an overdose can include: