Benzodiazepines (benzos) are an extremely common class of drugs that most people will take at some point in life. They’re often prescribed to treat muscle spasms and anxiety or help with sleep, though some people abuse them for their tranquilizing effects. The latter is dangerous and comes with certain irreversible health risks.

How Addictive are Benzos?

Benzodiazepines (Benzos) are prescription medications that relax the body and mind. The relaxation effect is due to heterocyclic organic compounds, which cause the user to enter a timed hypnotic or tranquil state. As a result, they’re commonly prescribed as sedatives or muscle relaxers. Their hypnotic effect is also beneficial in calming overactivity in the mind, which often happens during a bout of anxiety, insomnia or leading up to a seizure.

The most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are:

• Valium (diazepam): Treats anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
• Xanax (alprazolam): Treats panic disorder and anxiety disorders.
• Halcion (triazolam): Treats insomnia.
• Ativan (lorazepam): Treats anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Klonopin (clonazepam): Treats seizures, panic disorders and agoraphobia.

Some benzodiazepines are called short-acting because they’re processed by the body quicker, and the effects don’t last long. Short-acting benzos begin working in as little as 30 to 60 minutes and are most suitable as sedatives in a critical care setting. However, some are also prescribed to treat insomnia.

They include:

• Midazolam (Versed)
• Estazolam (ProSom)
• Flurazepam (Dalmane)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

Are Benzodiazepines Addictive?

According to the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), benzodiazepine is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance. Drugs in this category have a low risk for addiction – when used as prescribed. However, when someone uses prescription benzodiazepines in a fashion other than prescribed, they are at risk of developing a dependency.

This includes the following:

• Taking the pills too close together
• Continuing the use of benzodiazepines after the prescription runs out
• Taking numerous pills at one time
• Taking illicit benzodiazepines

According to Yale researchers, it only takes four weeks for 50% of regular benzo users to develop tolerance and dependency. This action is caused by changes in the brain after extended use.

The Addictive Effects of Illicit Benzodiazepines

People who aren’t prescribed benzodiazepines may buy them on the street to mitigate the negative effects of opioids or methamphetamines. Others obtain them illegally to self-treat mental health symptoms associated with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or anxiety. Some people also buy them due to peer pressure.

The problem with illicit benzodiazepines is that they are not regulated. This means no one knows what’s actually in them. They could be synthetic, fake, or adulterated – and adulterated benzodiazepines are especially problematic.

In an attempt to boost sales, street dealers may cut in other illicit drugs, such as opioids, to make benzodiazepines more addictive. However, the user is often unaware of this and may develop an addiction to multiple substances or overdose on the additive.

United States Benzo Culture

Although there are multiple causes for the soaring popularity of benzodiazepine use amongst Americans, researchers point to the increasing prevalence of anxiety, benzo mentions in popular music, and drug trafficking as contributing factors.

Benzodiazepine Prescriptions for Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear or apprehension that often comes as a reaction to stress. During an anxiety attack, people feel uncomfortable symptoms as a result of the brain’s fight-or-flight reaction.

These symptoms include, but aren’t limited to:

• Rapid heart rate
• Heart palpitations
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Rapid breathing
• Abdominal distress

In an attempt to stave off these feelings and avoid the stigmas associated with counseling, people often seek out pharmaceutical recommendations from their physicians or peers. This has led to a significant increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions for adults in the United States. In fact, it’s become the top prescribed drug class for adults with anxiety — a number that’s currently topping 40 million.

The Drug Enforcement Agency stated that a combined 93.4 million prescriptions were written out for alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and temazepam as of August 2023.

Illicit Benzodiazepine Use in Pop Culture

Illicit benzodiazepine use has become a socially acceptable phenomenon in the United States, with some rappers and social influencers using their platforms to glorify their use.

Dazed Magazine named Xanax, “The drug that defined the decade and changed rap,” as it appeared in so many song lyrics.

In fact, a genre of rap known as “emo rap” emerged from benzo use, characterized by mumbled lyrics and drug references. It is also common to see rappers posing in pictures with Benzo pills on their tongues or nodding off during live streams and interviews.

Unfortunately, there were also several rappers, most notably Lil Peep and Mac Miller, who died shortly after overdosing on suspected adulterated benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines, Ads and Social Awareness

Over the past decade, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical ads began creeping into videos all over YouTube. This increased awareness of the drug’s effects and side effects, leading to increased search traffic from people seeking them out after watching the ad.

The advertisements show working-class individuals with families who “need” the drug to feel “normal.” This approach in direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads is problematic, as researchers believe it leads to increased drug requests and costs.

As a result, people who cannot afford the drug may turn to street dealers for a more affordable alternative, which unfortunately often comes with serious risks.

Benzo Addiction Warning Signs

A person who is abusing benzodiazepines will often show outward signs of being under the influence.

These signs include:

• Appearing sleepy or tired
• Slurred speech
• Delayed reaction

People with benzo addiction will display several behavioral issues that include:

• Doctor shopping after being denied a prescription
• Stealing Benzo pills from friends or family
• Stockpiling benzo prescriptions
• Borrowing money to buy large quantities of benzos
• Forging prescriptions

Physical signs of benzo addiction include:

• Worsening anxiety
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent headaches
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness

When taken at high doses, they can also experience signs of benzodiazepine toxicity, which include:

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Dry mouth
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feelings of isolation, loss of coordination
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Aggressive mood swings
• Blackouts

What are the Body and Mind Effects of Benzo Addiction?

Benzodiazepines suppress the nervous system by binding to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. GABA receptors are responsible for reducing excitability in the brain related to breathing, emotion, memory, and reason. Simultaneously, benzodiazepines inhibit the brain’s ability to regulate pleasure, resulting in a flood of the feel-good chemical dopamine.

When used as prescribed, these effects are mild. They calm overactivity in the brain, allowing the user to relax.

However, after using them for a prolonged time or in an abusive fashion, the body develops tolerance, decreasing GABA activity and increasing excitability. This causes the person to feel anxious, irritable, or wired.

In an attempt to reduce these uncomfortable effects and increase the effects of dopamine, they will use more of the drug, entering into a perpetual cycle of increased doses and decreased effectiveness.

Unfortunately, as this cycle continues, the body becomes acclimated to the presence of benzodiazepines and has trouble adjusting when they aren’t present. This results in withdrawal symptoms that affect the mind and body.

They include:

• Body aches
• Muscle spasms
• Panic attacks
• Hallucinations
• Depression

People who abuse benzodiazepines are also at an increased risk of developing hip fractures and long-term cognitive impairment.

Benzo Addiction Treatment with Engage Wellness Acton

Recovering from benzodiazepine addiction may seem impossible, but with the right support, recovery is achievable.

If you or a loved one has an addiction to benzodiazepines, contact Engage Wellness Acton Together, we can help you determine the most suitable treatment option for your goals and support you on your journey to long-term recovery.