Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you. BZD , Valium , benzo , downers , goofballs , moggies , normies , qual , serras , sleepers , tranx , xannies. Last published: November 10, What are benzodiazepines? Types of benzodiazepines There are three types of benzodiazepines: long, intermediate and short-acting.
Some common benzodiazepines are: Pharmaceutical names. How are they used? Benzodiazepines are usually swallowed. Some people also inject them. Effects of benzodiazepines There is no safe level of drug use.
Benzodiazepines affect everyone differently, but the effects may include: depression confusion feelings of isolation or euphoria impaired thinking and memory loss headache drowsiness, sleepiness and fatigue dry mouth slurred speech or stuttering double or blurred vision impaired coordination, dizziness and tremors nausea and loss of appetite diarrhoea or constipation.
Injecting benzodiazepines may also cause: vein damage and scarring infection, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS deep vein thrombosis and clots which can result in loss of limbs, damage to organs, stroke and possibly death.
Withdrawal Giving up benzodiazepines after a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without them. Symptoms can last from a few weeks to a year and can include: headaches aching or twitching muscles dizziness and tremors nausea, vomiting, stomach pains bizarre dreams, difficulty sleeping, fatigue poor concentration anxiety and irritability altered perception, heightening of senses delusions, hallucinations and paranoia seizures.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that can treat a range of conditions. Doctors often prescribe them to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. The short-term use of these medications is usually safe and effective, but long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and other adverse effects. There are different types of benzodiazepines, and they have different uses.
They include :. Taking too much of a benzodiazepine can be dangerous, and mixing it with alcohol or other substances can be fatal. This article looks at how benzodiazepines work, their uses, and the related side effects and risks. Benzodiazepines alter the activity of the neurons that trigger stress and anxiety reactions. The type of benzodiazepine will determine the potential uses. Doctors may also prescribe these drugs off-label for various other conditions and issues, including:.
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that communicate messages between brain cells. These messages can have either a stimulating or a calming effect. GABA is a neurotransmitter that sends calming messages to the body. When a person feels anxious, overstimulation occurs in the brain. When people take benzodiazepines, the brain will send messages to counter this overstimulation. Since they induce muscle relaxation, these drugs help with sleep as well.
One reason why there may be less awareness or stigma around benzodiazepine dependence is that doctors prescribe these drugs so often. Also, the drug works fairly instantaneously, in contrast to other medications like anti-depressant SSRIs. This is why doctors often prescribe benzos on an occasional, or as-needed basis. In fact, at an event where Lena Dunham and her co-producer Jenni Konnor spoke ironically, the topic of the speech was adolescent anxiety , Konnor remarked that she had taken half a Klonopin before the event to calm her down so she could give the presentation.
It can also lead to addiction and substance abuse issues. For people who also take opioids, the combination of benzos and narcotics or alcohol is a dangerous mix. In fact, 30 percent of overdoses involving opioids also involve benzodiazepines. One study found that half of the veterans who died between because of opioid-related overdoses were taking benzodiazepines at the same time.
Why would someone have reason to take both? For one thing, they may be prescribed both medications simultaneously. This is the case particularly with older adults. For example, someone might take Oxycodone, Vicodin, or other prescription opioid painkillers if they experienced a fall or had surgery. Then, later on, they might start on an anti-anxiety medication like Xanax if they start experiencing panic symptoms. It's also effective against….
Capsules and tablets serve a similar purpose, but there are differences in how they work. For instance, they're made of different ingredients…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. The dangers of benzos. Trying to withdraw. Benzos for a bad time.
Weaning America from benzos. Written by Temma Ehrenfeld — Updated on October 16, Read this next. Best Hand Sanitizers for
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