Benzodiazepine Addiction Explained

At Victory Recovery Partners, a network of seven addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, we treat individuals who are battling addiction and substance use disorders. It is important for both our employees and patients to understand how addictions develop in unique ways based on the substances used. One class of drugs that are commonly abused are benzodiazepines.  

Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as “benzos” are a class of medications that are used to treat conditions like anxiety and insomnia. These medications have the potential to be highly effective when used as prescribed. However, even if a patient’s intentions are good –they intend on using the drug as prescribed—they may still be at risk of developing an addiction. Addictions don’t always happen intentionally, as the patient may feel that they need to keep taking more and more of the drug to just feel calm and relaxed. 

It should be noted though that not all benzos are addictive – however even for the benzos that are not known to be addictive, there is still the possibility that an addiction can develop. To put this as a number, about 17% of people who misuse benzos develop an addiction.  

There are several signs to look out for to see if an addiction has developed. Firstly, as is the case with other types of drugs, the user will need to take a large amount of the drug to receive the same effects. This is typically the first sign to look out for, indicating that the user may be in the early stages of developing an addiction. 

Secondly, connected to the increased tolerance are withdrawal symptoms. If the user stops taking the benzo, even for a short period of time, they may develop unwanted symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. This is ironic, as those same symptoms that develop in withdrawal are the ones that the medications are supposed to correct when used properly. 

In addition to those physical symptoms, there are also behavioral-based changes that occur when someone is addicted to benzos. Your performance at school or work may be impacted. Also, your relationships with your friends and family may be affected.  

A common issue that occurs when someone is addicted to benzos is that the user may continuously try to find new doctors to prescribe more and more benzos. A user may even try to find several different doctors at the same time to prescribe the medications.  

Abusing benzos can also lead to an increased usage of other drugs. It is very common for users who are addicted to benzos to try other drugs that are even stronger, more powerful, and more dangerous.  This sign should not be ignored, as it is a key sign that the user needs to seek professional help.  

If you or someone you know is addicted to benzos, attending an outpatient program such as the one at Victory Recovery Partners may be the right choice. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services may be able to help the user safely recover from their addiction. Additionally, through a detox, the dosage of the benzo will slowly be lowered, helping the user recover gradually.  

Benzodiazepines, when used correctly, can effectively treat issues such as anxiety and insomnia. However, these drugs may present the potential risk of developing an addiction. By carefully monitoring your usage, and noting any unusual behaviors, you may be able to catch these changes early enough to avoid a full-on addiction. 

Victory Recovery Partners, a network of seven addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, specializes in outpatient care for patients suffering from addiction and substance use disorders. By providing total and complete care under one roof, consisting of behavioral health, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric and wellness services, we ensure that our patients receive the care they need to live a better, healthier life. For more information on Victory, visit our website www.victoryrp.com.