Drugs are taken to overcome something or experience something other than the present. For instance, someone that has pain from surgery or an illness may be prescribed pain meds. Those prone to panic attacks or anxiety may take benzodiazepine that a doctor prescribed to calm their nerves. Some take drugs recreationally, such as drinking alcohol or smoking weed to “get loose” and have fun at a party or drink wine to wind down after a hard day of work. Whatever you take; however you take it, the longer your consumer of the drug can and will form a dependency which then turns to addiction.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people. Still, repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge addicted people’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.
What is a Benzodiazepine?
One of the most prescribed drugs on the market is called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are a class of pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for many mental disorders and illnesses. They are used to treat moderate to severe anxiety, panic attacks, epileptic seizures, and even withdrawal symptoms from other central nervous system drug depressants like alcohol. Because this drug can be highly addictive, benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short-term use.
Most benzodiazepines come in pill or tablet form for oral consumption. Some brands, like Valium, can also be administered intravenously as a clear, odorless liquid. Benzodiazepines are legal when they are prescribed, and however, you can purchase them on the street. On the street, benzodiazepine drugs might go by other names like tranks, downers, bars, sticks, French fries, ladders, or simply benzos.
Some of the most commonly abused benzodiazepines include:
- Valium
- Ativan
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Xanax
More benzodiazepines have been synthesized, but these are the ones that are usually used and prescribed in the United States.
Withdrawal Symptoms for Benzodiazepines Include Anxiety
Benzodiazepines should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. If you take more than prescribed or quit suddenly, doing so may cause unwanted withdrawal symptoms or worsen your condition. It varies for each person, but how long you’ve been taking it, when the last time you took it, and many other factors can affect the withdrawal symptoms.
For example, suppose you are taking benzos for anxiety or panic attacks and have been using the drug for longer than directed. In that case, it can worsen your panic attacks and anxiety when you stop taking it. It is known as rebound anxiety or rebound panic attacks. Also, using benzos for an extended period then stopping can create these conditions in the first place during the detox process.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms can take hold within hours of the last dose, and they can peak in severity within 1-4 days. During withdrawal, people can also experience:
Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Paranoia
- Seizures
Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction
At Allure Detox, our Xanax detox in West Palm Beach, Florida, is overseen by an experienced clinical staff that specializes in Xanax addiction recovery. Every person admitted into our comfortable Xanax detox unit will be under the care of state-licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, counselors, and therapists. Each staff member of our cross-disciplinary team works to ensure that our clients are monitored around the clock. Call us and begin healing safely from addiction today.