Benzodiazepines can cause some dangerous and serious side effects. Even though they are often prescribed for people who are suffering from certain health conditions such as anxiety that doesn’t get rid of these short term or long term effects. So, can someone take benzos forever without these dangers? In short, the answer is no. However, it may be a good idea for you to learn more about the long term effects of using benzodiazepines if you or someone you know is taking them.
If you, a friend or a loved one is using benzodiazepines and need help to overcome an addiction to them, reach out to our Harmony Health Group today. We have treatment programs specifically for treating benzodiazepine addictions.
What is Benzodiazepine
What exactly is benzodiazepine? Well, this is a drug that is also known as benzos or downers. They often sedate people to help relieve uncomfortable mental and physical health symptoms such as:
- Panic
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasms
- Alcohol withdrawal
- PMS
- Seizures
Benzodiazepines are a man-made drug and they can be very dangerous, especially when someone abuses them. If you or someone you know is abusing or addicted to these drugs, be sure to reach out for treatment here at Harmony Health Group today.
What are the Different Types of Benzodiazepine
If you suspect that someone in your life is using drugs, especially benzos due to their sedative nature, it would be good to learn about the different types of benzodiazepine. There are generally two types of benzos including anxiolytics and hypnotics. Some of the brand names for benzos are:
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Xanax
- Valium
- Librium
There are many different dosages that these drugs are prescribed in. There are also many conditions that someone may need to treat with benzos. Unfortunately, there are benzodiazepines that are distributed and used illegally, as well. No matter whether you or someone you know has a prescription to benzos or are using them illegally, if you need help to stop using them, our Harmony Health Group team can assist you with this.
Short Term Use of Benzodiazepine
Generally, there are short term use guidelines for benzodiazepines. When someone is only using these drugs for a short amount of time, they likely won’t have moderate to severe side effects, especially when taken in lower doses. Some of the short term benzo side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Weight gain
If you or someone you know is taking benzos legally and only using them short term or for a medical condition as prescribed, that could be okay. However, there is still a chance that your body will become dependent on or addicted to them.
Long Term Effects of Benzodiazepine Use
If someone is using benzodiazepines for a long time, they are much more likely to experience moderate to severe or even fatal effects. Some of these effects might include the following:
- Withdrawal
- Overdose
- Jaundice
- Labored/slow heart rate
- Fainting
- Suicide
- Low blood pressure
- Organ damage (especially if abusing them)
- Increased tolerance and addiction
If you or someone you know has been taking benzos for a long time, please reach out to our Harmony Health Group to get clean from them and to start a recovery program. If you have only been taking them for a short amount of time, but need help to stop using these drugs, our team can still help you with that, as well.
Can Benzos Be Taken Forever
What happens if you have a condition in which you need benzos? Can they be taken forever? Since these drugs are habit forming and there is a possibility for developing the effects noted above, professionals don’t generally recommend taking them forever. Once the drug does what it is prescribed to do, it is a good idea for the doctors to wean the patient off from them. No matter whether you are being weaned off from these drugs or not, it is crucial that you use them responsibly if you have a prescription. If you don’t have a prescription, you should not use them, even if someone offers them to you.
Get Treatment for Benzodiazepine Abuse or Addiction Today
Harmony Health Group offers comprehensive care for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues, with facilities located in Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Tennessee. Our treatment programs address not only drug rehab and alcohol dependency but also anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. By accepting insurance from major providers like Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare, we aim to make our services accessible to many. Additionally, we provide private pay options for those without insurance, so you can discuss the cost of various treatments with us directly.
Our dedicated team is committed to guiding each individual towards lasting recovery through a combination of proven methods and personalized care. At Harmony Health Group, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their lives and achieve mental well-being. Don’t hesitate to reach out and learn more about our diverse treatment options and our same-day rehab. Your path to a healthier, more fulfilling life starts with taking that first step, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Do you or someone you know abuse benzodiazepines? If you have been using these drugs for a long time, it is likely that you are going to have a difficult time getting clean from them on your own. The primary reason for this is due to their habit-forming, addictive nature.
Contact us today, here at Harmony Health Group, to get treatment for benzodiazepine abuse or addiction. Our team is ready to help you prevent some of the long term effects of benzo use by getting you clean and into recovery right away.