What Is a Benzo?

Do you or someone you love abuse benzodiazepine drugs, known as benzos? Do you wonder, what is a benzo, anyway? These powerful drugs, called benzos on the street, work well for many health issues. But for people using them outside of their doctor’s advice, benzos lead right into drug addiction.

When you take a benzo as prescribed by your doctor, it can be helpful. However, when you start taking them for fun or to get high, you’re on the road to addiction. Benzos are easy to get hooked on because they make you feel good. You may start taking them for anxiety, but before you know it, you’re taking them just to feel normal. If you are looking for a benzo addiction rehab program, call us today at 866.605.0532.

What Is a Benzo?

Benzodiazepines, more commonly known as benzos, are a class of psychoactive drugs. They are used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. Benzos work by depressing the central nervous system. This results in a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, and a drowsy feeling.

Benzos work well when prescribed and correctly used for a range of mental health issues. These issues include anxiety disorders, insomnia, and social anxiety. They also work well for panic disorders and tremors.

In detox, benzos treat alcohol withdrawal. They also sedate people for surgery and calm agitation. Sometimes benzos prevent seizures, too.

As you can see, doctors use benzos to treat many problems. But these drugs do not offer long-term help. They work best for acute needs. They also lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction, if used for a lengthy period.

Signs of benzo abuse include:

• Taking more of the drug than prescribed
• Mixing benzos with other drugs or alcohol
• Feeling like you need to take more of the drug to get the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug

Types and Names of Benzo Medications

Regarding name brands and types, what is a benzo? Do you know whether the drugs you take fall into this dangerous, addictive category?

Benzos provide short, intermediate, or long-acting relief for the problems previously described. Short-acting benzos work fast and leave your body quickly. Long-acting benzos take longer to act. These also remain in your body for a more extended period.

If you abuse benzos or suffer addiction, whether you take short-acting or long-acting types affects the timing of your detox process. Benzo withdrawal symptoms start quickly for people addicted to the short-acting benzos, but later for people abusing other forms.

Short-acting benzos include triazolam, midazolam and clorazepate. Intermediate-acting benzos include alprazolam, lorazepam, temazepam, oxazepam and estazolam. Long-acting benzos include diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, flurazepam, quazepam and clonazepam.

Name brands of benzos include Halcion, Versed, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. Many street drug dealers sell these pills as part of the illegal drug trade. Even riskier, merely trying to buy these pills on the street often means you get something deadlier. Drug dealers also often sell highly potent drugs like fentanyl in place of benzos.

Treatment Programs to Help You End Your Benzo Addiction

If you find yourself addicted to benzos, what type of treatment do you need? The answer to this question differs from person to person. Many factors affect the kind of treatment you need. Of course, getting that treatment at an accredited rehab program offers the greatest promise for your future.

Accredited treatment programs suited to strong recovery after benzo addiction include:

• Residential drug rehab
• Extended care programs
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program
• Sober living and transitional living
• Aftercare and alumni programs

What is a benzo in your life? Is it something you need just to make it through your day? If so, you likely suffer benzo addiction and require treatment from a quality, accredited rehab program. Call Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida at 866.605.0532 for the therapies, support, and programs you need for healthy, lasting recovery.