Author: James Anderson

List of Common Benzodiazepines + Uses & Side Effects

Healthcare providers can test for it and treat people under its influence (see below under “What are the disadvantages, side effects and complications that are possible with benzodiazepines?”). In a 12-month period spanning 2014 and 2015, experts estimate that at least 30.5 million people in the U.S. took benzodiazepines prescribed by a healthcare provider. People who use these drugs report that they develop strong cravings or urges to use them again.

Short-term Use

These substances have also been linked to intense withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and depression. They are often used in a medical setting to relieve pain after surgery, after serious sports injuries or during cancer treatment. But this class of drugs includes medications that can result in addiction. While Khat use does not cause physical addiction, people who frequently use the drug can develop a psychological dependence to it. Khat can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including nightmares, mild depression and slight tremor.

Benzodiazepine Abuse

  1. Together, these four drugs make up 99% of benzodiazepine prescriptions.
  2. Frequent or prolonged use of Xanax can lead to dependence or addiction.
  3. Benzodiazepines are medications that make your nervous system less active.
  4. Research shows that between 9 and 30 percent of marijuana users may develop some level of marijuana use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  5. While many people that seek prescription benzodiazepines know exactly what they are looking for, some people simply want a depressant.

Hundreds of street names exist for drugs, and some names are more common than others. While many people know that “weed” is a slang term for marijuana, they may not know that “wrecking crew” and “devil smoke” are street names of crack cocaine. Benzodiazepine addiction could be suspected if a person is spending a significant amount of time and money attempting to obtain benzos or if they find it difficult to stop or reduce their benzodiazepine use. Other signs of addiction include experiencing regular difficulties at work or in personal life because of drug use. If cost is a concern for any medicine, be sure to speak to your physician before prescriptions are written and discuss options with your pharmacist, as well.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

Rapid withdrawal can lead to a syndrome of severe symptoms in many patients. At all times, benzodiazepines should be discontinued under the care of a physician. Always consult your healthcare provider about how drug interactions should be managed before making any changes to your current medications.

Street Names for Drugs

Online Internet pharmacies are increasingly a danger to patients and their health. Fraudulent and counterfeit medications are often marketed and sold online to unsuspecting consumers. Beware of online pharmacy purchases; in general, consumers in the U.S. should only purchase medications from their local pharmacy or health-plan administered mail-order pharmacy.

Talk to a trained recovery worker

Benzos also have anticonvulsant properties, making them effective for treating seizures. Benzodiazepines are often coingested with other substances, such as opioids and alcohol, in overdose. When discontinued, benzodiazepines should be slowly tapered to help avoid withdrawal symptoms like rebound insomnia and anxiety. The primary disadvantage of benzodiazepines is the risk of abuse, dependence, and overdose (especially with opiates). Selection of drug therapy should be based on issues with dosing, possible side effects or drug interactions, and cost.

Procedural sedation (also called conscious sedation)

They’re most often used for treating anxiety and related mental health conditions, as well as brain-related conditions like seizures. These medications are tightly regulated and are only available with a prescription. Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are the most commonly reported side effects with this drug class. Driving or operating machinery or perform other hazardous tasks can be dangerous while using these drugs. Drinking alcohol in combination with benzodiazepines may heighten these effects.

Over time, benzodiazepine users can develop a physical or psychological dependence to the drugs. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that work in the central nervous system and are used for a variety of medical conditions, such as anxiety, seizures, and for alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines work by blocking excessive activity of nerves in the brain and other areas in the central nervous system. Doctors recommend waiting until all benzodiazepines pass out of your system before you drink alcohol. That could take up to 20 hours for shorter-acting drugs like alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan, Loreev).

Abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions greatly increases with use of this drug class. He Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that doctors avoid prescribing Xanax and other benzodiazepines with opioid pain medication whenever possible. Benzodiazepines, sometimes called benzos, are a type of medication known as tranquilizers. These drugs slow down your central nervous system, cause sedation and muscle relaxation, and lower anxiety levels.