What are Benzodiazepines?

Valium

Benzodiazepines are a class of drug often prescribed to alleviate symptoms of stress. They act to mask these symptoms of stress because they cause euphoria in the person using them. This artificial sense of well-being is part of the reason these drugs are so addictive.

Benzodiazepines are drugs that produce central nervous system depression which can lead to death.  The five most proscribed benzodiazepines are Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, and Restoril.

Effects On The Body

Benzodiazepines have an enhancing effect on the neurotransmitters. It is basically a sedative, which induces sleep-inducing and relaxes the muscles. Benzodiazepines used properly is useful in treating insomnia, anxiety, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, withdrawal from alcohol and it helps in medical or dental procedures.

Ethanol acts in a similar way as benzodiazepines. This is why the effects of benzodiazepines are often compared to alcohol. It is believed that benzodiazepines are safe and effective in the short term. But even for a short term it impairs cognitive function or the user may experience feelings of aggression or behavioral mood changes may occur.

Uses Of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are categorized as a short, intermediate, or long acting. Short and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are best used in the treatment of insomnia. However, the long acting benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of anxiety.

Long-term use is controversial due to concerns about adverse psychological and physical effects, increased questioning of effectiveness and because benzodiazepines are prone to cause tolerance, physical dependence, and, upon cessation of use, a withdrawal syndrome. The elderly are at an increased risk of suffering from both short- and long-term adverse effects.

Benzodiazepines On The Street

The street names for Benzodiazepines are Benzos, Downers, Nerve Pills; Tranks Benzodiazepines are drugs that produce central nervous system (CNS) depression and that are most commonly used to treat insomnia and anxiety. There is the potential for dependence on and abuse of benzodiazepines particularly by individuals with a history of multi-substance abuse.

The use of these drugs in conjunction with methadone results in an experience similar to heroin and many heroin addicts are know to take Benzodiazepines in conjunction with methadone maintenance.  This creates a dangerous condition which can lead to sudden death.

Street use of these drugs has increased and is now the second most abused class of prescription drugs.  The abuse of these drugs can be very apparent as the user is appears drunk or sleepy.

Treatment Of Benzodizepine Abuse

The potential for sudden death makes treating benzodiazepine addiction very complicated.  While most addicts can begin treatment by stopping the use of the drug they are using, the physical effects of benzos make it dangerous for the addict to stip without medical supervision.  This will increase the cost of anyone entering drug treatment as well as the overall risk.