Benzodiazepines can be difficult to stop using after you become physically dependent on and/or addicted to these drugs. Withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, agitation, and muscle aches can be tough to cope with and manage on your own and will often interfere with your ability to stay abstinent. Here’s what you need to know about benzodiazepines and how you or a loved one can stop using these drugs for good and experience a safe, lasting recovery.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders like insomnia. These drugs are central nervous system depressants that slow down functions like breathing and heart rate to induce feelings of extreme calm and relaxation. Benzodiazepines are intended for short-term use due to the way they carry a high risk for abuse, dependence, and addiction. The journal Australian Prescriber reports that anyone who uses these medications for longer than three or four weeks is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping use.

Statistics on Benzodiazepine Use

  • The number of US adults who filled benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67 percent from 8.1 million in 1996 to 13.5 million in 2013, reports the NIDA.
  • In 1996, an average of 1.1 kg of benzodiazepines was prescribed for every 100,000 adults, which jumped to a higher amount of 3.6 kg in 2013.
  • More than 30 percent of opioid overdoses in the U.S. also involve benzodiazepines.
  • Sedatives like benzodiazepines have been misused at least once by an estimated 2.3 percent to 18 percent of people in the U.S., reports The Mental Health Clinician. About 10 percent of these individuals met criteria for drug abuse or dependence.
  • The number of admissions to drug rehab centers for benzodiazepine abuse nearly tripled between 1998 and 2008.
  • An estimated 28 percent of people who visited emergency rooms for benzodiazepine abuse between 2004 and 2011 were hospitalized, transferred to another facility, or died from drug abuse, reports the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Recovering From Benzodiazepine Use Disorder With Indiana Inpatient Rehab

Indiana Inpatient Rehab offers medical drug and alcohol detox and several drug rehab programs designed to help you or your loved one experience a safe recovery from benzodiazepine use disorder. ARC accepts most insurance providers and will perform an assessment to determine the best rehab program for you. Fill out our free insurance benefits form or contact us today at 765-345-8884 to begin the admissions process.

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