Benzodiazepines (benzos) treat panic disorders and anxiety attacks. Because of their functions, they work quickly. In the process, they provide almost immediate relief. However, the different types of benzos also have a dark side.
Understanding the Various Types of Benzos
Some call them relaxation in a bottle. Doctors typically only prescribe benzos for a short duration. A four-week course is typical. Physicians usually urge clients to seek out psychiatric care for the conditions the drugs treat.
Most benzos are drugs that have an easy-to-recognize “–am” ending. Examples include alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam. You may see them in your medicine cabinet with names such as Xanax, Valium, or Ativan. It’s easy to form a habit because of the relaxing effect.
However, there’s another side effect. When people take more than they should, benzos can create a dopamine glut. Therefore, you feel a euphoric high before relaxation sets in. But there’s a price to pay.
Specialists at the benzo addiction treatment center Tacoma WA residents turn to see common side effects of abuse often. People experience depression and increasing disorientation. While high, they act in uncharacteristic ways that embarrass them later. Frequently, cognitive function decreases, too.
Therapy at a Rehab Facility is the Antidote to a Benzo Habit
All types of benzos can lead to addiction. There’s no safe drug. Moreover, there’s no safe overdose level. When you abuse the drugs, they change the chemistry in your brain and lead to chemical dependency.
Over time, getting the drug and taking it becomes your sole purposes in life. You self-isolate. Besides that, you may decide to let a job or relationship go. Rehab can turn things around for you.
Therapists help you put on the brakes. They evaluate your treatment needs. Next, they put together a treatment protocol. Options might include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment for people struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, or depression
- Family therapy that lets you open the dialog about your support needs
- Cognitive behavioral therapy as a way to overcome dysfunction through coping skills development
- Medication management services that let you benefit from prescriptions without running the risk of addiction
- Group therapy that helps you build social skills, set boundaries, and build self-esteem
Gender-specific treatment is an essential aspect of care. There’s a good chance that you have an underlying mental health condition. Almost all people with a benzo habit received the drugs from a doctor at first. Therefore, it’s essential to talk through the situation they treated.
Doing so is more relaxed in gender-specific groups. You feel comfortable about opening up. Similarly, you receive the kind of peer mentoring that can make a significant difference in your life. That’s why therapists favor this therapy setup.
Don’t Just Quit Cold Turkey
It’s tempting just to toss out the drugs and resolve to quit using. After all, you’re a strong person. However, doing so is almost certainly going to fail. Because benzos act on the brain, the sudden lack of chemicals will result in severe side effects.
It’s not unusual to suffer extreme anxiety, depression, or both. When this happens, you’ll go right back to the drugs. Therefore, it makes more sense to work with therapists who’ll help you quit.
Now that you know that all types of benzos have addiction potential, it’s time to reach out for help. Bayview Recovery therapists routinely work with people who want to quit these medications. Call *DM_DirectNumber format=period linked=true* now to schedule an appointment and begin the healing process.
