Benzodiazepine Drug Abuse: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Benzodiazepine drugs can have a negative effect on one’s lifestyle if misused. It can hamper relationships, career, and mental and physical health. In cases of anxiety and insomnia, a physician may prescribe drugs composed of benzodiazepine. Its use can relax one’s muscles and control seizure attacks.

However, if misused, it can turn into drug abuse, causing various behavioural changes and can even lead to death.

Overuse or misuse of some benzodiazepine containing drugs is called benzodiazepine abuse. These drugs have a sedative effect and are made of prescription tranquilisers that are also known as anxiolytics. It is basically prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Underlying are the two types of benzodiazepines –

1. High-potency Benzodiazepines

High potency drugs with short life includes –

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

High potency drugs with long life includes –

• Clonazepam (Klonopin)

2. Low-potency Benzodiazepines

Low-potency drugs with short life includes –

• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Temazepam (Restoril)

Low-potency drugs with long life includes –

• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Flurazepam (Dalmane)

Benzodiazepines are used to treat the following disorders –

• Insomnia
• Seizure attacks
• Muscle relaxation
• Anxiety
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Various signs and symptoms are reflected by an individual diagnosed with benzodiazepine abuse. Following are symptoms shown by an individual –

• Physical weakness
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Poor judgement
• Blurred vision
• Lacks motor coordination
• Dizziness
• Unable to defend oneself against attacks or threats
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Difficulty breathing
• Death in case of fatal overdose.

If an individual persistently abuses these drugs, they may cultivate signs of –

• Anorexia
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Memory problems

Underlying are the common major causes of benzodiazepine drug abuse –

• Environmental factors
• Genetic tendency
• Low socioeconomic status
• Unemployment
• Peer pressure.

People above 50 years are more at risk as they are prescribed these anxiolytic drugs to help them relax and sleep. Further, when a benzodiazepine is mixed with alcohol, it can cause serious health problems and sometimes lead to death. Such misuse can also cause comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Here are several side-effects of misuse of benzodiazepine.

• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Fear of running out of drugs
• Indulges in uncharacteristic behaviours
• Engages in risky activities like drunk driving
• Become secretive about their life
• Irregular mood swings
• Lives an unhygienic life

Treatment of this drug abuse is done in the following ways –

• Outpatient – Detox, therapy, and support groups are some of the methods used, and an individual doesn’t need to stay at a treatment facility overnight.
• Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalisation Programs (PHPs) – This requires the patient to spend more time in a treatment facility to undergo treatment methods like detox, therapy, etc.
• Residential/Inpatient – The patient has to stay overnight to undergo detox, therapy, etc., treatments.
• Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient – It includes 24x7 surveillance by a physician or nurse and one has to spend more time in a hospital. After that, counselling is prescribed to the patient

Underlying ways you can try and reduce the risk of benzodiazepine abuse –

• Know the signs and symptoms of this drug abuse.
• Take specialist advice before taking a drug for panic disorders.
• Keep a look at the behavioural changes and psychological swings in insomnia and anxiety disorders.
• Monitor for signs of dependence syndrome.
• Set a short-term duration of 2 to 4 weeks for benzodiazepine containing drugs.
• Assess the health condition after a week.
• Openly discuss its risk percentage with the physician.
• Set goals and expectations between patients and doctors.
• Positively attend treatment sessions.
• Make a withdrawal management plan.

Chronic benzodiazepine abusers often don’t recognise their problems and resort to other means. They give excuses about job or family stress being the leading cause of drug consumption. Though benzodiazepine drugs are prescribed chiefly to older people, the sedative effect of this drug attracts many adults as well.

In acute ingestions, diagnosis is more straightforward as one can easily explain the reason. But in cases of chronic ingestion, the diagnosis and treatment become much more complicated and vigorous. Unless an individual admits or looks after misusing or overusing a drug, it is easy to cover up drug abuse. So, expert advice is required to prevent such scenarios, which can, in turn, help an individual to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.