Benzos (Benzodiazepines) are depressant drugs that treat various medical conditions. When taken, they relax muscles, induce a feeling of calmness, and improve sleep. However, they are habit-forming.
If you’ve been prescribed benzos, you need to know everything about the drug. The following article discusses everything you need to know about benzos, from how they work to their side effects.
What are benzos?
If this is your first benzos prescription, you may be wondering, “What are benzos?” The answer is simple: benzos are sedatives that treat various conditions. These include seizures (convulsions), insomnia, and anxiety.
Benzos are short-term treatments prescribed for two to four weeks. They are available in tablet and liquid form and are usually taken orally. They can also be injected; however, this is done by a medical professional.
What are benzos used for?
Now that we’ve covered what benzos are, let’s discuss what are benzos used for. Benzos are used to treat muscle spasms. They reduce muscle tension, relax the muscles, and alleviate pain.
Benzos help treat insomnia. When ingested, they shorten the time it takes to fall asleep. They also improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation. Benzos also help treat anxiety disorders. These include phobias, panic disorders, and separation anxiety. They work by reducing anxiety, boosting your mood, and easing your social fears.
Benzos, help in the alcohol detoxification process. It eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These include tremors, irritability, and jumpiness. It works by slowing hyperactivity in the brain, which is common during alcohol detoxification.
Symptoms Of Benzos Addiction
Benzos addiction presents itself in various forms. For starters, you may become drug tolerant. As such, you will need more of that drug to achieve the same effects. Secondly, your desire to use the drug may intensify. These desires are hard to fight off and only go away after you have taken the drug. Thirdly, benzos addiction can cause you to neglect responsibilities. It can cause a decline in your ability to meet obligations. And to you, the drug comes first while everything else falls behind. Fourth, benzos addiction can cause social withdrawal. You may withdraw from relationships, activities, or hobbies you once enjoyed. Finally, if you are struggling with benzos addiction, you may start going doctor shopping. You may visit different doctors to obtain more benzos to feed your addiction.
Side Effects Of Benzos
Benzos brings about the desired effects, especially when used in the short term. However, long-term use can be dangerous and may cause serious side effects, including:
- Confusion, especially in older adults
- Impaired coordination, increasing the risk of falls
- Drowsiness, especially when taken in high doses
- Respiratory depression, which can result in premature death
- Memory problems, making it challenging to learn new information
Safely Navigating Benzos Use
Before using benzos, you should know about the drug. You should know everything from what are benzos and what are benzos used for to symptoms of benzos addiction and side effects of benzos. With this information, you can take it with precaution, minimize potential side effects, and eliminate the likelihood of addiction. Remember, Benzos is effective, but when abused, it can turn your life upside down.
Leave a Reply