Unfortunately, numerous prescription drugs and illegal drugs exist that cause a person to get sick if they do not use them every day. Benzodiazepines are in this group. The term ‘Benzo’ is the nickname given for any Benzodiazepine. Benzos are prescription medications that treat disorders related to anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and in some cases, to help a person detox from other substances.
What are Benzos?
Benzos are one of the most abused types of addictive drugs out there. Still, most people who take Benzodiazepines are getting it from their doctor. In recent years, doctors have begun to discern more precisely when to write someone a prescription for a Benzo.
More About Benzodiazepine Flu
Today there are Benzo drug circles that exist among patients who get prescriptions from their doctors. The people in a Benzo prescription drug circle will supply each other when one of them runs out on the understanding that the other will return the favor. The reason that Benzo circles like this are formed is that Benzodiazepines cause physical dependence and addiction. Therefore, anyone addicted to a Benzo will experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not use them often. This is known as the “Benzo Flu.”
Signs and Symptoms From the Benzo Flu
The symptoms of Benzo flu are severe. Many people detoxing from Benzos also risk having a grand mal seizure. They are common when someone begins to suffer withdrawals. The symptoms of Benzo withdrawals also cause a person to feel extreme anxiety, thus forcing the person to endure mental and emotional turmoil. Benzo flu symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Excessive sweating
- Racing pulse and increased blood pressure
- Muscular stiffness and spasms
- Hand tremors
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
- Intense cravings for Benzodiazepines
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports how dangerous the withdrawal symptoms are from the most popular Benzodiazepines, Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin. Xanax is the most abused of these four.
“If a person takes CNS depressants (Benzodiazepines) long term, they might need larger doses to achieve therapeutic effects. Continued use can also lead to dependence and withdrawal when use is abruptly reduced or stopped. Suddenly stopping can also lead to harmful consequences like seizures.” (NIDA)
For clarity in understanding why someone would use a central nervous system depressant, such as a Benzo, they are attempting to slow down the response of their CNS to feel relaxed and at ease. Chemically speaking, Benzodiazepines work to increase the neurotransmitter GABA’s effects, which causes people to feel sedated. In addition, benzos will reduce or block the stream of excitatory chemicals norepinephrine and adrenaline. Although there are different strengths and types of Benzos, all of them perform the same function: to slow the individual’s CNS responses, including brain chemicals that cause stress.
Find Sobriety For Benzo Abuse at Evoke Wellness at Cohasset
If you need help right now to end an addiction to Xanax or other Benzos, the program we connect with patients can help you detox with a taper regimen of Benzodiazepines. Taper detox methods reduce the level of Benzos in a person’s system, so they will not feel the withdrawal symptoms. Do not let your Benzo addiction hold you, hostage, any longer. There is a fast solution for you or a loved one, starting with one phone call, chat, or email. No matter which way you contact us Evoke Wellness at Cohasset has addiction specialists ready to help you get on the path to your sobriety.
