Benzodiazepines are medications doctors might prescribe to treat certain physical and mental health concerns. These medications act on the body’s central nervous system to lower anxiety levels, increase muscle relaxation, and produce sedation.
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, can be helpful in treating certain conditions when taken as prescribed. However, if you use a benzo for too long or for nonmedical reasons, you may be at risk for developing a benzo addiction.
At CenterPointe Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri, we offer high-quality inpatient treatment for adults, senior adults, and adolescents ages 12-17 who are suffering from benzo addictions. Our continuum of care also includes residential addiction and dual diagnosis treatment for adults and adolescents, along with a range of outpatient services across our locations in St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri, and Maryville, Illinois.
Signs & Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepine addiction signs and symptoms can vary based on factors such as length of use, frequency of use, and addictions to other substances. Common signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction include:
- Being unable to control or cut back on benzo use
- Using benzos more often or in larger amounts than planned
- Preoccupation with obtaining benzos
- Giving up regular activities
- Struggling to meet expectations at work, school, or home
- Strong cravings to use benzos
- Struggling to stop benzo use even though it causes social difficulties
- Driving under the influence of benzos
- Needing more of the drug to get the same effect
- Withdrawing from others
Physical symptoms of benzo abuse can include:
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Sleep difficulties
- Mood changes
- Poor coordination
Struggling with benzo addiction symptoms can cause significant distress. However, by receiving supportive care at a qualified treatment place like CenterPointe Hospital, you can improve your quality of life and protect your future health and well-being.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Statistics
Research suggests that benzodiazepine prescribing rates have been steadily increasing. A study published online by the National Library of Medicine found that from 2003-2015, outpatient care visits involving a benzodiazepine prescription increased from 3.8% to 7.4%. In the same study, visits with primary care physicians accounted for 52.3% of all benzo-related visits.
The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health examined how many people in the U.S. used prescription benzodiazepines in any way not directed by a doctor. The survey found the following previous-year prevalence rates by age group:
- Adolescents ages 12-17: 157,000 people or 0.6%
- Young adults ages 18-25: 1.1 million people or 3.3%
- Adults age 26 and older: 3.5 million people or 1.6%
Multiple risk factors, including genetic, physical, social, and environmental factors, may contribute to someone developing a benzo addiction.
Potential Effects of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepine abuse can lead to a wide range of negative consequences. If you are struggling with a benzo addiction and do not receive treatment, you can experience serious social, emotional, and physical difficulties, including:
- Accidents and injuries
- Relationship conflict
- Poor work or school performance
- Social isolation
- Job loss and financial problems
- Aggressive behavior
- Overdose
- Depression
- Higher risk for suicide
Additionally, some people who struggle with benzo addictions also use other substances at the same time, which can increase the risk for serious complications such as overdose and death.
At CenterPointe Hospital, we understand that each person’s recovery needs are unique. When you receive care at our benzodiazepine addiction treatment center, our professionals will work with you to identify and address your specific needs so that you can create a strong foundation for lifelong recovery.
Benefits of Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment
Living with a benzo addiction can be an isolating experience. But by accessing care and receiving treatment, you can benefit from a range of physical and emotional supports that are designed to help you achieve and maintain recovery.
Due to the challenges and risks associated with withdrawing from benzodiazepines, treatment often begins with detox. On-site medical detox provides the opportunity to withdraw from benzos with the support and supervision of professionals such as nurses and doctors.
Another important benefit of benzo addiction treatment is the opportunity to receive supportive counseling services. At our inpatient benzodiazepine addiction treatment center, we help patients develop strategies that can allow them to transition home or to a lower level of care as quickly and smoothly as possible. Our main form of counseling is group therapy, where patients can receive guidance, develop new skills, and exchange support with fellow patients.
Why Choose Our Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Center
When you seek care at a benzo addiction treatment place, it’s important to make sure that you can receive personalized services at the level of care that’s right for you. At CenterPointe Hospital, each prospective patient completes a comprehensive assessment that helps inform the services and care they receive.
At our benzo addiction treatment center, patients can work with a compassionate multidisciplinary staff that may include nurse practitioners, doctors, therapists, and other medical and behavioral health professionals.
We provide specialized inpatient benzo addiction treatment for adolescents, adults, and senior adults, including those who are struggling with a dual diagnosis. At CenterPointe Hospital, inpatient care provides the chance for patients to stabilize, identify support systems, and learn how to effectively manage the symptoms that have been impacting their lives.
Therapies Used in Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment
At our St. Charles hospital, a patient’s individualized treatment plan can include the following:
- Medical detox services
- Basic medical care and medication management services
- Groups on topics such as substance use, relationships, and co-occurring mental health disorders
- Individual and family therapy on an as-needed basis
- Experiential activities such as art therapy, yoga, poetry, and dance
Following inpatient care, a person might step down to a lower level of care at our treatment center, participate in our aftercare support groups, or access other services as needed. Every person who receives care at CenterPointe Hospital finishes treatment with a personalized aftercare plan that includes recommendations for their ongoing recovery journey.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at CenterPointe Hospital.
