If you struggle with anxiety, your doctor may have prescribed Xanax, Valium, or another benzodiazepine (benzo). However, while these drugs may work in the short term, they can be addictive long-term, and there is a risk of benzo overdose. People may not realize the dangers of these drugs because they believe their doctor wouldn’t prescribe them a medication that could be dangerous. Yet, there is still a risk of overdose with this medication. It’s critical to be aware of benzo overdose symptoms so that you can seek treatment as needed. If you’ve become addicted to benzos, please contact Serenity Light Detox Houston today at 866.516.8356.
What are Benzos?
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a tranquilizing drug. This medication helps with calming down the system during times of duress. The most common forms of benzos prescribed by doctors are Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Librium. There are short-acting and long-acting benzos. For those that are short-acting, the medication will generally take effect in about 15 minutes.
A doctor will prescribe benzos for a variety of reasons, including:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Chronic insomnia
- Muscle spasms
- Pre-surgery nerves
- Alcohol withdrawal
Most of the time, doctors write prescriptions for a short period of time. However, many people do get prescriptions for extended periods of time, thus escalating the chance of benzo addiction. Other people may no longer have a prescription for benzos but get the drug from other people.
Signs of Benzo Addiction
When you take benzos regularly for an extended time, you have a high chance of benzo addiction. You may wonder if you are addicted or not. You will have both physical and psychological signs of addiction. Some signs of benzo addiction include:
- You take the drug every day whether you need it or not
- You have gotten benzos from other users, either through buying or borrowing it
- Benzos are interfering with your life
- You notice withdrawal symptoms after several hours of not having the medication
- The drug has made you moody
- You try to hide your use of the medication
These are signs that you might be addicted to benzos or on track for getting addicted. One of the problematic issues about benzo addiction is that it increases your chances of benzo overdose.
Benzo Overdose Symptoms
When taking benzos at a higher dose than your doctor prescribed or you begin mixing it with other drugs or alcohol, there is a risk of benzo overdose. Overdose can have serious consequences. The symptoms of a benzo overdose include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty with muscle coordination
- Confusion or disorientation
- Vision issues, including blurred vision or seeing double
- Feeling suddenly weak and very dizzy
- Blue appearing lips or fingernails
- Mental status altered
- Stupor or coma
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you love, it’s critical to seek help right away.
Seek Help for Benzo Addiction at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
You can take charge of your future and get off benzos with the help of an addiction treatment center. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we employ evidence-based treatment programs to ensure you detox safely from benzos. During your detox, we get to the root of your addiction issues through rigorous therapy modules. We realize therapy is foundational to your healing. Some therapy programs we offer include:
- Behavioral therapy treatment program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment program
- Trauma therapy treatment program
- Family therapy treatment program
- Group therapy treatment program
- Individual therapy treatment program
- Yoga therapy treatment program
Don’t let benzo addiction keep you from enjoying life. Take the first step to get help by reaching out to an expert rehab treatment center. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356 today, and we’ll get you started on the road to healing.
