If you or someone you care about is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, you may be researching the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs in Georgia.
Benzos are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S., although they are also highly addictive. Long-term benzo use can lead to benzo dependency that requires professional addiction treatment. Severe withdrawal symptoms can accompany benzo detox, which is the reason why medical detox and other forms of professional treatment are recommended by addiction treatment experts. Searching for a benzo addiction treatment program in Athens, GA? Contact Athens Addiction Recovery Center today by calling 844.959.4998 or reaching out to our team online.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are drugs that slow down messages traveling between the body’s systems and the brain. They’re depressants — like alcohol, cannabis, and heroin — and also minor tranquilizers. Prescription benzos are often used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and even alcohol withdrawal.
However, medical professionals and addiction treatment experts have been concerned about the risks of prescribing benzos — especially if they’re going to be used for a long time. Consistent medical dosing can lead to benzo abuse, which can — in turn — eventually lead to an overdose situation or a very difficult path to overcoming benzo addiction. Benzodiazepines can cause painful and discomforting withdrawal symptoms, even after a short period of use.
What Are the Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?
How do you know if you or someone you care about is struggling with benzo addiction? While many people with addictions typically make an effort to hide their substance use disorders — especially at the onset of the mental health problem — there are some signs of benzo abuse you can spot easily, such as the following:
- Asking friends, family, colleagues, or classmates for their benzo pills
- Blurred vision
- Doctor shopping
- Drowsiness
- Impaired judgment or thinking
- Mood changes
- Wanting to cut back on benzo use but not being able to do so
- Physical weakness
- Risk-taking behaviors, such as driving after taking benzos
Due to the body’s natural process of building a tolerance, over time, a person with a benzo addiction will require a higher dose of benzos to reach the familiar high. When a person stops taking benzos or the familiar dose is significantly cut down, withdrawal symptoms will arise. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be discomforting, dangerous, and even life-threatening.
When Should You Consider a Benzo Addiction Treatment Program?
Medical professionals know that the risk of prescription benzo use developing into substance addiction is high — which is why benzos aren’t the primary type of medication used in any of the illnesses and disorders they’re typically prescribed for.
If you or someone you care about has taken benzos consistently for six months or longer, tolerance may also have developed — and as dosage is adjusted to deal with that tolerance, the risk of developing addiction rises. As mentioned earlier, benzodiazepine withdrawal is extremely difficult to get through and could make quitting benzos a very undesirable path to follow — even when benzo addictions start to negatively impact a person’s life, responsibilities, and relationships.
The uncomfortable nature of benzo withdrawal makes it unlikely for people to succeed in quitting benzos on their own. Intense cravings can lead a person to compulsive and drug-seeking behaviors, as well as a continued drive to use benzos despite negative consequences. These are key indicators that you or someone you care about requires a professional diagnosis and professional addiction treatment.
Ready to Learn More About Athens Recovery’s Benzo Addiction Treatment Program in Athens, GA?
If you’re looking for a benzo addiction treatment program in Athens, GA, contact Athens Addiction Recovery Center today. Call 844.959.4998 or reach out to our team online.
