What is Benzodiazepines Use Disorder

Benzodiazepines, or "Benzos," are pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, epileptic seizures, and withdrawal symptoms from other CNS depressants, like alcohol. Due to their high addiction potential, they are prescribed for short-term use. Examples include Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Restoril, Klonopin, Librium, and Halcion.

Benzodiazepine Use Disorder

Abuse symptoms include weakness, blurred vision, drowsiness, poor judgment, doctor shopping, asking others for pills, mood changes, and risk-taking behaviours. Some individuals may develop a use disorder over time despite initially having a legitimate medical reason for use.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms can be physically, emotionally painful, and even life-threatening, especially if stopping "cold turkey." Symptoms are highly variable and may include sleep disturbances, increased tension, anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, sweating, heart palpitations, headache, muscular stiffness, perception changes, cravings, and hand tremors. Severe addiction can lead to hallucinations, seizures, psychosis, and suicidal ideation. Most people need to taper down their Benzo use under their doctor's supervision.