Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that help people with anxiety. They can also help people to relax and sleep.
Using these drugs for long periods can make them addictive. They may also cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly.
If you’re concerned about your use of benzodiazepines, talk to your doctor. They can give you advice and support to stop using them safely.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of medicines that make your nervous system less active. They are used to treat a range of problems, including anxiety and insomnia. In many countries, they are classified as controlled substances, so you need a prescription to get them.
Taking a benzodiazepine is usually safe, but it can be addictive if you use it long-term or take it with other drugs. You may develop a tolerance for the drug, so you have to take higher doses of it to feel the same effects. You may also get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.
They are mainly used to treat anxiety disorders, but they can also be used for some medical conditions. They work by attaching to receptors in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptors. GABA is a chemical in the brain that has calming effects and helps to regulate movement, speech, and other functions.
These medicines are usually taken by mouth in tablet or solution form, but they can also be injected. Benzodiazepines are often used to control panic attacks, but you should talk to your doctor before using them for this purpose.
There are a number of different types of benzodiazepines available, but they all act on the same GABA-A receptors in the brain. There are short-acting benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines, which have a slow onset of action but longer duration of action.
The short-acting benzodiazepines, like alprazolam, are more useful for treating anxiety or other distress when you need immediate relief. However, they are not very effective at reducing the symptoms of chronic anxiety and should therefore not be used for long-term treatment.
They are also not recommended for people with severe mental health problems, or if you have a history of substance abuse, as they can be dangerous if taken in large quantities. They are also very difficult to wean off, so you need to taper them slowly and carefully.
Benzodiazepines can be very dangerous if taken with other sedative drugs, such as opioids. Oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), hydrocodone (Hysingla ER), and other opioids can cause an overdose if you take too much of them together with a benzodiazepine.
They are used to treat anxiety
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are used to treat anxiety. They also help with some other conditions such as insomnia and panic attacks. These medications are usually prescribed by a doctor. They may be taken by tablet, solution or injected.
They work by affecting the brain’s neurotransmitters. One of these is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The benzodiazepines increase GABA levels and decrease the activity of nerves in the brain.
These effects produce drowsiness and help you sleep. The medication also stops you from thinking about stressful events, which can be useful for people who have a difficult time dealing with their emotions.
However, benzodiazepines can be addictive and should not be used for more than one month. They can also cause serious side effects, such as seizures and coma.
Your doctor will usually prescribe a low dose of this drug for short periods to help you cope with severe anxiety or insomnia. Your doctor will tell you about the risks and side effects of this medication, and how to cut down or stop taking it if needed.
You should never take benzodiazepines with alcohol or any other type of stimulant, including over-the-counter or prescription drugs. They can reduce the effect of benzodiazepines and make you more drowsy or dizzy. They can also cause a number of other problems, such as stumbling and falling.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat a range of mental health disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. They are often given as the first step in treatment, before antidepressants or other psychotherapy have been tried.
Many people find that benzodiazepines can help to control their symptoms. They can help you relax and sleep better, but they don’t cure the underlying anxiety. You should still talk to your doctor about any problems you are having with these drugs, and try different methods of treating your symptoms.
The most common benzodiazepines include alprazolam, diazepam and clonazepam. Your doctor will choose a drug that is right for you and that you will be able to handle well.
They are addictive
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act on the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) to calm nerve impulses and help with anxiety. They can also be used to relax and relieve insomnia. However, they have the potential to become addictive.
Addiction to benzodiazepines is a serious problem, especially as the drugs are prescribed at an increasing rate. This is due to their strong sedative effects, which make them popular among drug abusers.
The most common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). They are often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
Although they are safe and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of anxiety, benzodiazepines can cause addiction when used for longer periods or in combination with other drugs. This is known as polysubstance abuse, and it is very dangerous.
Benzodiazepines can be extremely addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when taken off the drug or cut back on doses over time. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is similar to that of opioids, and it can be dangerous for the user.
There are many ways to abuse benzodiazepines, including taking them more frequently than prescribed, abusing the drugs to feel euphoric or high, and mixing them with other CNS depressants such as alcohol. This can result in serious physical and mental health problems.
Overuse of benzodiazepines can also cause a person to develop a tolerance to the drug, which means they have to take more of the medication to achieve the same effect. This can lead to psychological dependence, which means the person needs the drug in order to function normally.
People who have a history of substance abuse can be more likely to develop benzodiazepine addiction because they have an increased risk of developing withdrawal symptoms when taking the drug off of their regimen. They also have a higher risk of overdose. This is because benzodiazepines can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can lead to shallow breathing and unconsciousness.
They can cause side effects
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that can be addictive and cause side effects when they are used long-term. They are typically prescribed for short-term use, for example to treat anxiety or to help you sleep.
Taking too much of them can lead to overdose and other serious side effects. They can also interact dangerously with alcohol and other drugs. It is important to check with your doctor before taking a medication, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is common to develop a tolerance for benzodiazepines, which means your body needs higher doses to get the same effect as when you first started using them. This can be dangerous if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and you need to reduce your dose gradually with your doctor’s help.
Abusing benzodiazepines can cause many side effects, including severe drowsiness, breathing problems and low blood pressure. It can also affect your memory and make it harder for you to think clearly.
People who abuse benzodiazepines often take them in combination with other drugs, such as opioids and alcohol. These combinations can result in overdose and other serious health problems, such as respiratory depression or a heart attack.
They can also be a “date rape” drug, because they can disinhibit sexual behaviour. They can also be injected or swallowed to enhance the euphoriant effects of drugs such as opiate painkillers and stimulants like amphetamines or ecstasy.
Overdose can be fatal, so you should call an ambulance straight away if you or someone else shows signs of an overdose, such as confusion or seizures. If you think you or someone else might have a problem with benzodiazepines, contact your local drug and alcohol treatment centre for advice.
Withdrawal symptoms are very common when you stop taking benzodiazepines, and can be severe. They can include hallucinations, paranoia, vomiting and sweating.
These can be very painful and uncomfortable to deal with, and they can last for a long time. They can also cause a lot of stress, so you should seek medical help as soon as possible if you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
