What Are Benzodiazepines Used For?
Benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, are a bit like a multitool. You have a screwdriver, a can opener, knife, even a toothpick—all in one place. You have someone struggling with insomnia? What about anxiety? Even seizures? The answer to all of these (and more) could be found in Benzodiazepines. That said, they are not typically used to treat something like lifelong depression or chronic trauma. Mainly because benzos, as helpful as they can be, are also quite addictive. So below is a list of Benzodiazepines.
Whether it is anxiety, muscle spasms, or maybe even alcohol withdrawal, these prescribed meds help by calming down your nervous system. They are powerful. So they must be identified.
List of Common Benzodiazepine Medications and Their Side Effects
Again, benzos calm your nervous system, sort of like hitting a pause button on the brain’s endless chatter. Specifically, they enhance the effect of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows things down. When your brain wants to get jumpy and create thousands of scenarios and directions to point itself, this medication is the calming music and warm blanket to keep things tranquil.
However, there are more than one option. Each iteration in this list of benzodiazepines has its own quirks and personality, so to speak.
Here is a list of the most common benzodiazepines:
- Alprazolam (Xanax): Fast-acting, commonly prescribed for anxiety or panic attacks.
Side effects: Drowsiness, light-headedness, and the occasional, unnerving bout of memory fog. - Diazepam (Valium): Often used for muscle spasms or alcohol withdrawal.
Side effects: Drowsiness and fatigue - Clonazepam (Klonopin): Prescribed for seizures or chronic anxiety.
Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, memory issues, dependence, coordination problems. - Lorazepam (Ativan): A go-to for acute anxiety or pre-surgery nerves.
Side effects: Can make you feel like your brain is swimming in molasses. - Temazepam (Restoril): For sleep. It’s like a bedtime story with a heavy dose of sedation.
Side effects: Dependence, confusion, unsteady movements.
Side effects for all these medications can range from mild (grogginess, coordination issues) to severe (respiratory depression, dependency). And let’s not forget, at the top of the long-term risks is addiction.
Are Benzodiazepines Addictive?
Benzos flood your brain with calming chemicals. Usually feeling calm quickly is a good thing. However, if these medications are used over and over to get that feeling, a person’s brain will begin to rely on the medication. It will even prefer to get the result from the benzo rather than its own natural process.
This is the root of prescription drug dependence. It may start small, but it can get as big as a billboard on your brain saying that any time anything happens—good (let’s celebrate) or bad (let’s medicate)—it’s time to reach for the benzos.
If you do have the thought that they are beginning to take too much control, and you cut back, you will feel it. Withdrawal symptoms can range from pretty significant anxiety, to seizures, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening.
How to Recognize Benzodiazepine Abuse
Benzodiazepine abuse doesn’t always look like the stereotypes. It can be subtle, creeping in like fog until it’s hard to see what’s normal anymore.
Signs of benzo abuse include:
- Needing higher doses to achieve the same effect (tolerance).
- Using benzodiazepines in ways not prescribed, like taking extra pills after a tough day.
- Neglecting responsibilities or relationships in favor of chasing that calm feeling.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the medication.
- Mixing benzodiazepines with other substances like alcohol or opioids—a dangerous and potentially lethal combination.
If this sounds familiar, it’s important to take a step back and seek guidance. Benzodiazepine abuse isn’t something to handle alone.
What Happens If You Stop Benzodiazepines Suddenly?
Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly is like taking a block from the bottom of the kid’s tower. The whole thing may take a minute to wobble, but eventually the whole thing will crash. Your brain, now dependent on the drug, struggles to regain equilibrium. Symptoms of sudden withdrawal can include severe anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, tremors, and in extreme cases, seizures or psychosis.
This isn’t meant to scare you but to underscore the importance of medical guidance. Tapering off benzodiazepines gradually, under a doctor’s supervision, allows your brain to recalibrate and recover.
Getting Help with Benzo Addiction
If you’re concerned about benzodiazepines—whether you’re taking them, considering them, or worried about someone else—reach out.
At Peninsula Health Center in Palos Verdes California, our compassionate, evidence-based support is available. Don’t wait until the structure is toppling. Call us today and let’s talk about the next steps for a healthier, steadier path forward. Call now: 866-934-8228.
