Benzodiazepine Addiction Help In St. Petersburg, Florida
At Transformations By The Gulf, we understand how benzodiazepine addiction can take over your life. We tailor individual, an innovative treatment that will address your needs – body, mind, and spirit – so you can get your life back on track. Your individualized drug treatment program might include outpatient detox, individual therapy, group therapy, boat therapy, family therapy and a wide array of adjunct treatment services designed to ensure you receive world-class addiction treatment and achieve sustained recovery.
How Benzodiazepine Addiction Can Happen
Benzodiazepines (a.k.a. “benzos”) are considered the biggest selling and most frequently prescribed drugs in history. Approximately 20% of the world’s population – and at least 4 million people in the U.S. – use tranquilizers or sleeping pills on a regular basis. They are quickly becoming the most heavily abused prescription substances in the country.
Benzodiazepines are readily available. Not only are they frequently prescribed by physicians, but they can also be purchased online without a prescription. Derivatives of benzodiazepines can also be found in popular over-the-counter sleep aids.
Benzodiazepines are a psychoactive/psychotropic drug used for treating, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and abnormal sleep patterns, seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol addiction. They are also frequently used for dental procedures and pre-surgery sedation. By slowing down the activity of the brain’s neurotransmitters, the drug induces a sense of calmness, providing relief from various forms of anxiety. Like all addictive substances, with repeated use the body develops a tolerance to the drug, thereby triggering the physical and psychological dependency cycle of addiction.
Personality Changes from using Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (or “Benzos” or “Bennies,” as they are called on the street) changes the brain chemistry to induce a sense of fearlessness, which can cause the user to take more risks or engage in more dangerous activities than they normally would. This behavior can result in serious accidents, lead to financial complications, and damage relationships. It is estimated that 40% of impaired drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents show traces of tranquilizers or sedatives in their bloodstream.
Other adverse personality changes that a user may exhibit include lack of interest in daily activities, rage, increased anxiety, depression or feelings of worthlessness, and in the most severe instances, suicidal ideations.
Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be very challenging and may last for weeks or months. Withdrawal symptoms include violent mood swings, insomnia, paranoia, disassociation, agoraphobia, and hallucinations. One should never discontinue the use of these drugs without medical supervision. Let's chat now (727) 498-6498!