Benzodiazepines, also referred to as benzos, are prescription medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. While they can be effective for short-term relief, their calming and sedative effects also make them highly addictive, especially when used over a long period or in higher doses than prescribed.
Recognizing benzodiazepine addiction warning signs is crucial for preventing long-term damage to your health and well-being. Addiction to benzos can lead to serious physical, mental, and social consequences, including withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to stop using the drug without professional help.
Here are seven warning signs that you may need treatment for benzodiazepine addiction:
Inability to stop using
One of the first benzodiazepine addiction warning signs is the inability to stop using them, even when you want to. You may have tried to cut back or quit entirely, only to find yourself returning to the drug. This cycle of quitting and resuming use is a strong indicator of addiction that should not be ignored.
Increased tolerance
Another clear warning sign of addiction is an increased tolerance to the medication. If you find that you need to take higher doses to achieve the same effects, it may be an indication that your body is becoming dependent on the drug, increasing the risk of overdose.
Withdrawal symptoms
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be severe and often includes symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, headaches, and, even seizures. If you experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop your use, it’s a critical benzodiazepine addiction warning sign that professional treatment is necessary.
Physical and mental health decline
Long-term benzodiazepine abuse can lead to a noticeable decline in both physical and mental health characterized by memory problems, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, or worsening mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. These symptoms indicate that immediate drug addiction treatment is needed.
Neglecting responsibilities
When addiction takes hold, you may start to neglect work, school, or personal relationships because of your focus on obtaining and using benzos. This decline in performance or interest in important aspects of your life is often a sign that your addiction is interfering with your daily functioning.
Doctor shopping
If you’re visiting multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions or lying about symptoms to receive benzodiazepines, it’s a strong warning sign that you’ve lost control over your use. Doctor shopping is a dangerous behavior that often leads to taking excessive amounts of the drug, putting you at higher risk of overdose and long-term damage.
Isolation from friends and family
Social withdrawal is a common warning sign of benzodiazepine addiction. You may begin avoiding friends, family, and activities you once enjoyed to spend more time using the drug. Isolation can deepen feelings of depression and anxiety, further fueling the addiction.
Break Free from Addiction with Our Help
At Impact Wellness Network, we understand how challenging it can be to struggle with benzodiazepine addiction. That’s why our trusted Midwest treatment centers offer comprehensive drug rehab and support tailored to your unique needs. Admission to our treatment programs is open so don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be glad to help you break free from addiction.