Substance addiction and dependence are common in California due to various reasons like depression, family problems, peer pressure, self-medication, and for achieving a pleasurable feeling.
Consequently, benzodiazepines are one of the frequently abused medicines in the state, where it’s mostly associated with opioid addiction. Are you or is your loved one suffering from benzodiazepine addiction? No worries, as this condition can be treated under the supervision of an addiction specialist or doctor.
Fortunately, you are in the right place if you want to understand more of this situation. Read further to learn more about it.
How Serious Is Benzodiazepine Addiction and Substance Abuse Disorder in California
If you find yourself abusing this prescribed drug, then you need to get early intervention and treatment to avoid making things worse. Nevertheless, here are some statistical data showing the status of substance abuse and benzo addiction in California.
Around 8% of the people suffer from substance abuse disorders (SUDs), yet 10% of them have received proper treatment.- Over 30% of opioid addicts are also found out to abuse benzos
- From 1996 to 2013, the number of people using this prescription drug increased by 67%
- Addiction with prescribed medicines and illicit substances were highly rampant for individuals ages 18 to 25 years
- In California, around 5% of the general population are abusing substances, while 3.3% are using illicit substances.
- Around 8% of the population ages 12 years and older are misusing pain relievers, where 8% of them are aged 18 to 25 years old.
- From 2013 to 2015, most abusers of prescription drugs are in the 9th (8%) and 11th (21.8%) grades.
- 380 individuals in California were rushed to the hospital due to a benzo overdose.
Common Benzodiazepine Brand Names Abused in Society
You usually use benzos for treating psychological problems like anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks. It calms your nerves and brain function because of its sedative or hypnotic effect.
Despite its medicinal benefits, a lot of people are misusing and abusing this prescription drug for self-medication and to get a high feeling. Here are some of the typical brand names of this drug abused in society.
- Seresta
- Halcion
- Ativan
- Valium
- Xanax
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Restoril
- Tranxene
- Nor dad
- Lectopam
Top Signs of Benzodiazepine Abuse
If you are the one suffering from benzodiazepine addiction, then you will be having a daunting time knowing if you need treatment or not. It’s because your mind is clouded by the fact that you are only using it for medication.
Nevertheless, here are the prominent signs that you or your loved one is abusing this drug.
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling dizzy most of the time
- Lack of body coordination
- Inability to speak well
- Short breaths
- Weakened muscles
- Loss of focus
- Feeling tired always
Culprits for Benzodiazepine Addiction
The truth untold, many factors are contributing to your addiction to this substance, and your external environment plays a critical role. Genetic reasons or heredity has a very minimal impact on this condition.
Below are some of the usual factors leading to the abuse of this prescription drug:
- Loss of job
- Pressure from addicted friends or colleagues
- Low socioeconomic status
- Broken relationships
- Self-medication
How Will You Recognize If You’re Addicted to Benzos
It is almost impossible for you to self-realize that you are addicted to this drug unless someone intervenes and tells it to you. Before any treatment can start, it’s always best if you or your addict loved one accepts your condition and the need for professional help.
Nevertheless, here are some telltales which you can use to determine if your friend or a family member has a benzodiazepine addiction.
- “Doctor Shopping” or getting many prescriptions from different doctors, so you can buy ample supplies of the drug.
- Using another person’s prescription bottle to buy the drug
- Excessive intake of the prescribed medicine
- Having the urge to take the drug even when it is beyond the prescribed duration
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Making fake prescriptions just to buy the drug
Intervention As the First Step
For the addict, it is very challenging to see if he or she needs help, so intervention must be done. You can do this with or without a trained professional, so long the family members and closest friends are there to deliver their sincere speeches and advice.
This method will help you or the addict gain self-awareness of your addiction to the drug. With that, there is greater hope that you will voluntarily enroll yourself in a rehab treatment program.
Undergoing Medically-assisted Detox Program
Once you are convinced that you need professional help to overcome this disease, consult a doctor or an addiction specialist. They will assess the severity of your addiction, so they can provide a customized treatment program suitable for your physique and addiction status.
Furthermore, detoxification is your next step and it aims to eliminate all toxins present in your body due to substance abuse. There will be withdrawal symptoms in the process, yet you will receive proper medical assistance to make it safe and convenient.
Here are some common withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking benzos:
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Muscle weakness and cramps
- Dizziness
Behavioral Therapies for Benzodiazepine Addiction
Treating substance abuse also requires correcting your unhealthy behavior to guarantee the success of your recovery program. You will work this out together with a trained psychologist or addiction specialist, where they will teach you to develop positive coping strategies.
With that, you have a better chance of avoiding relapse and maintaining sobriety for a lifetime. Below are some of the behavioral therapies used for treating your benzodiazepine abuse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- Motivational Interviewing
- Multidimensional Family Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)
Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment Program?
For you to make the right choice, we highly recommend that you consult with a doctor or an addiction specialist regarding your benzodiazepine addiction. These trained and licensed medical professionals will give you the best tailored-fit recovery program for overcoming this disease.
As early as now, get professional help so you can decide whether to go for an inpatient or outpatient rehab treatment plan.