Benzo Abuse and Addiction

Written By: Angel Alexander, Mental Health Writer
Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
September 20, 2023
Modified:September 2, 2024
Reading Time: 8 minutes

Written By: Angel Alexander, Mental Health Writer
Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
September 20, 2023
Last Update:September 2, 2024
Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn more about benzodiazepine addiction and effective treatment options.

Understanding Benzodiazepine Misuse and Its Impact

Benzodiazepine Stats and Abuse

With the anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, and muscle-relaxing effects of benzodiazepines (also known as benzos), these drugs have been extensively used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

Abuse of benzodiazepines is much more frequent than you may believe. This can encompass the misuse of prescriptions of these medicines or acquiring them illicitly.

Abusing these substances, if left untreated, may negatively influence your family, job, and emotional or physical health.

Levels of Care

More About Benzos

the Role of Benzos in Medical Treatment

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzos are depressants that affect the central nervous system (CNS). CNS depressants reduce specific forms of brain activity, leading to sleepiness and sedation, which can benefit those who take them as a doctor recommends.

Benzodiazepines are used to treat the following conditions:

Anxiety.
Muscle spasms.
Panic attacks.
Seizures.
Acute stress reactions.
Sleep disturbances.

Recognizing Benzodiazepine Addiction

Signs And Symptoms of Addiction to Benzos

Look for physical and psychological symptoms if you suspect someone is under the influence of antidepressants like benzos.

Signs of physical illness may include, but are not limited to:

One-on-one therapy sessions.
Group counseling.
Access to a team of nutrition specialists and medical doctors.

The CSA (Controlled Substances Act) has classified benzos as Schedule IV substances, which means the government heavily controls them. These drugs are dangerous and addictive. In light of these alarming benzo statistics, it’s clear that we must seek therapy and devise strategies for avoiding their abuse.

Benzo’s usage may cause a variety of mental health issues as well, including:

Suicidal thoughts.
Depression.
A lack of focus.
Confusion.
Problems with recall and concentration.
A hard time controlling emotions.

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment

Check Your Coverage

You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment

Patterns of Benzo Misuse

Benzodiazepines Addiction and Use Trends

The usage and misuse of benzos and other medications are constantly changing.

In 2019, there were 28.3 million Benzodiazepine users in the United States.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in the United States increased threefold between 2020 and 2019, making people more inclined to seek out benzodiazepines and opiates daily.

According to the Provisional Substance Overdose Death Counts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overall drug overdose deaths increased in 2020.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center Offers Help For Benzo Addiction.

A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.

Reasons Behind Benzodiazepine Misuse

Why Do People Take Benzos?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse observes that the most common reasons for abusing or misusing benzodiazepines are:

5.7 percent – Experimenting to see how things would turn out.
11.8 percent – To get high or as they were already dependent.
46.3 percent — For relaxing and relieving tension or stress.
22.4 percent – For improving sleep quality.

According to a study published in the Comprehensive Psychiatry Journal, women are more likely to be long-term users of antidepressants like benzos and abusers of lormetazepam, often prescribed for insomnia. Men are more likely to misuse the benzo called lorazepam, widely prescribed for anxiety. According to the US Library of National Medicine, unemployed, unmarried, and less educated Americans are more prone to abuse benzos, but not necessarily to have a benzo use disorder.

Our Patient Navigators Are Here When You Need Them

Our experienced staff is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Call today and change your tomorrow.

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

The Escalating Crisis of Benzodiazepine Overdoses

Overdoses and Benzos

Benzodiazepines were involved in 30 percent of all prescription medication overdose fatalities in 2013.

This was second only to deaths from opioid overdoses. It was a 700 percent increase over 1996.

The most notable increases were in the age range of 18 to 64 years. In 2017, there were 11,537 benzo overdose fatalities. Around 85 percent of these deaths were caused by an opioid.

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.

Get a Callback Now

Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

Full Name

Email Address:

Phone Number:

Coverage Options

Permission to Store your Form Information:

Checking this box indicates you understand and accept that the information you submit will be stored and viewed according to our Privacy Policy.

The Dangerous Mix of Benzos and Opioids

Benzodiazepines and Opioids

Benzodiazepines increase the opioid epidemic, even though opioids like fentanyl and heroin kill much more people than benzos. This is especially true for people in their golden years.

There has been a 400% rise in benzodiazepine and opioid co-prescribing since 2003, with 26.4 percent of patients already on benzodiazepines obtaining opioids.

When taken with alcohol or opioids, these benzo side effects may occur:

Breathing that is too shallow or inadequate (hypoventilation).
Excessive sleepiness.
Fainting.
Dangerously low heartbeat tempo.
Coma.
Blood pressure that is too low.
The danger of overdose is ten times higher when benzos and opiates are taken together.
Overdose deaths with benzodiazepines account for 30 percent of all opioid overdoses.

Although benzo overdoses aren’t always as deadly as some opioids, most necessitate a hospital or emergency department trip.

The number of visits to the doctor when both benzodiazepines and opioids are given rises as the patient ages:

Four percent for those aged 18 to 44.
Thirteen percent for those aged 45 to 64.
Sixteen percent for those aged 65 or older.
Generally, benzodiazepines are given to women at a higher rate than males across all age categories (11 percent vs. 8 percent).
Women prescribed benzos make up six percent of the population between 18 and 44, while males make up just three percent.
There is no substantial gender difference in the 45-64 age group.
19% of women and 13% of males aged 65 and above are prescribed benzos.

Treatment Planning

Assessment

Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

Schedule Admission Date

Intake

During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.

Tour the Facilities

Personal Tour

One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community.

Settle In

Unwind & Relax

We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.

Get the Help You Need Right Now

Request a Confidential Callback

The Hidden Dangers of Benzodiazepine Use

The Risks of Benzo use Among the Elderly

The use of benzodiazepines, particularly in the elderly, may produce health concerns even if they are not misused. Because of their increased sensitivity and difficulties in metabolism, specialists recommend that adults over 55 avoid using benzodiazepines, at the very least, to treat anxiety and sleeplessness. Elderly adults who use benzodiazepines are at risk for:

Falls and fractures may occur as a result of dizziness.
Accidents are caused by drowsiness and weariness.
Memory loss and other cognitive dysfunctions.

Use of Benzos in Children

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number and severity of reports of youngsters being exposed to benzodiazepines. In 2017, for example, benzodiazepines were prescribed to over 130,000 underage Americans, including 39,000 newborns and small children.

Anti-anxiety drugs, including but not limited to benzos, were administered to over 600,000 American children aged 12 and younger in 2020.

Conclusion

Risks and Prevalence of Benzodiazepine Abuse

It is undeniable that a growing number of individuals are turning to benzodiazepines to address anxiety and other mental illnesses. Many of these drugs are prescribed by physicians and are obtained via prescriptions. Others are received via illegal means and used illegally. However, although benzos may not have the same lethal overdose potential as opioids, they constitute a public health concern that needs attention.

Because benzodiazepines may be dangerous, you should be on the lookout if someone you know seems to be abusing them. Consult with a medical professional or a professional in the field of addiction!

Sources

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Drugs%20of%20Abuse%202020-Web%20Version-508%20compliant-4-24-20_0.pdf

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title21/chapter13&edition=prelim

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29394/NSDUHDetailedTabs2019/NSDUHDetTabsSect1pe2019.htm#tab1-1a

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.23077

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/science-highlight/research-suggests-benzodiazepine-use-high-while-use-disorder-rates-are-low

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6639084/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/84430

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/over-130000-us-toddlers-and-children-aged-0-5-are-prescribed-addictive-anti-anxiety-drugs-300538185.html

https://www.cchrint.org/psychiatric-drugs/children-on-psychiatric-drugs/

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30509-2/fulltext

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/health/elderly-drugs-addiction.html

Written By:

Angel Alexander

About Author:

Angel Alexander is certified in mental health studies and mental health coaching. Angel has over nine years of freelance writing experience and seven years in mental health and substance abuse writing. Angel is currently in her 2nd year of studies at Wallace Community College for the study of psychology.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

Start Your New Life Today!

Your Journey Begins Today

Treatment Designed for You

Freedom Awaits You

Freedom Awaits You

Freedom Awaits You

Contact

The Life You Deserve is Waiting for You.

Take The First Step Now

Take The First Step Now

Benzo Abuse and Addiction

Understanding Benzodiazepine Misuse and Its Impact

Benzodiazepine Stats and Abuse

Table of Contents

Levels of Care

Popular Topics

More About Benzos

the Role of Benzos in Medical Treatment

What are Benzodiazepines?

Recognizing Benzodiazepine Addiction

Signs And Symptoms of Addiction to Benzos

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment

Check Your Coverage

You Could Be Covered 100% for Treatment

Patterns of Benzo Misuse

Benzodiazepines Addiction and Use Trends

Rolling Hills Recovery Center Offers Help For Benzo Addiction.

Reasons Behind Benzodiazepine Misuse

Why Do People Take Benzos?

Our Patient Navigators Are Here When You Need Them

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

The Escalating Crisis of Benzodiazepine Overdoses

Overdoses and Benzos

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Get a Callback Now

Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

The Dangerous Mix of Benzos and Opioids

Benzodiazepines and Opioids

Assessment

Intake

Personal Tour

Unwind & Relax

Get the Help You Need Right Now

Request a Confidential Callback

The Hidden Dangers of Benzodiazepine Use

The Risks of Benzo use Among the Elderly

Conclusion

Risks and Prevalence of Benzodiazepine Abuse

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Stay Informed & Up-to-Date

Related Benzo Articles & Topics

Scared to Pick Up the Phone? Request A Call Back, Let Us Call You

Levels of Care

Addiction Information

Treatments

Speciality Therapies

Substances

You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment