Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax)
Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax)
Benzodiazepines are a class of tranquilizers used to provide sedation, muscle relaxation and anti-anxiety effects. Commonly called “benzos”, benzodiazepines are ingestible in pill form or injected. Benzodiazepines can be found in many prescription tranquilizer medications, including:
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
- Tranxene (clorazepate)
- Sonata (zaleplon)
- Paxipam (halazepam)
- Centrax or Verstran (prazepam)
- Klonopin/Clonopin (clonazepam)
- Dalmane (flurazepam)
- Serax (oxazepam)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
- Restoril (temazepam)
- Halcion (triazolam)
How Benzodiazepines Affect the Body
Benzodiazepines have a very strong physical and psychological addiction potential. Benzodiazepine drugs typically become less effective between 2 weeks and 4 months after use begins, depending upon their desired effects. As an individual continues to use tranquilizers like benzodiazepines, increasing dosages must be taken to produce the same calming or sedating effects. Many users find themselves unable to sleep properly without benzodiazepine medication.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal, Detox, Rehabilitation and Recovery
Persuading the benzodiazepine addict to enter treatment is often a challenge. He or she most likely does not experience debilitating and painful side effects and likely chalks up sleeplessness and/or anxiety to their own problems rather than benzodiazepine dependence. In many cases, users are able to hide their addiction symptoms – even from loved ones. A medical detox program may be required, as benzodiazepines can cause the reverse effects than those for which they were primarily used. They may cause nausea, panic attacks, overdose, irritability, insomnia, depression and convulsions.
Because of the many safety concerns linked to anti-anxiety drugs, other medications for treating anxiety have gained in popularity. The alternatives to the anti-anxiety tranquilizers include antidepressants, buspirone, and beta blockers. The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs include drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. They have been used to treat panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be a long process, and continued support (hyperlink to 6f aftercare) will be needed to help the addict live free.
