Benzodiazepine (Benzos)

Benzodiazepine also referred to as “Benzos” belongs to the family of sedative/tranquiliser prescription drugs which are usually prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety and insomnia.

Benzos come in the form of pills, tablets and gel capsules and is sold under many brand names including Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, and Ativan; its street names include downers, blues and jellies.

Benzos can induce periods of calmness, relaxation and sleep. Benzos can only be prescribed after a consultation with a doctor, but there is also a huge black market for them.

Benzos are often used to help people come down and sleep after a heavy session of taking stimulants such as

• Cocaine
• Crack
• Amphetamines
• LSD
• Ecstasy

The risk of overdose is significantly increased the more drugs you mix with Benzos known as polydrug use

Some Benzos users dependencies can start from taking doses prescribed by their doctor for medical purposes which have then escalated to misuse and addiction. Benzos can cause physical and psychological addiction, due to tolerance increases over time; users have to increase their dose either to get the same high or to keep their anxiety or insomnia in check.

Because of the high risk of dependence, Benzos should not be taken for more than 4 weeks and only for severe cases. Withdrawal can cause unpleasant symptoms like a pounding headache, nausea, vomiting, tremors, depression, anxiety and confusion and can be dangerous requiring medical help. If stopped suddenly, the body can go into fits which in severe cases has led to fatalities. Always seek medical advice before stopping!

In the long run, Benzos cause long-lasting changes in the brain’s ‘reward system’ since they alter the levels of reward producing natural chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Over time, the brain physically adapts to Benzos, becoming unable to produce these chemicals on its own and becomes reliant on the drugs in order to feel normal.

Anyone who has struggled to quit Benzodiazepines will be well aware of the serious impact it can have on the mind and body.

Benzos affect almost every part of the brain, which is why they are such an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia but also the reason why they can be so difficult to quit when misused.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s Benzo use, please call us at Ciconia Recovery for a friendly and confidential chat about the best ways you can support your loved one.

• Physical weakness, aches and pains
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Poor decision-making abilities and poor judgment
• Blurred vision
• Lack of motor coordination
• Dizziness
• Inability to defend self in the case of an attack or threat
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Difficulty breathing

• Trouble sleeping
• Increased tension
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Headache
• Stiff muscles
• Changes in perception
• Cravings
• Shaky hands