Potential Risks with Benzodiazepines

What are Benzodiazepines

Suboxone_Dilemma_2Benzodiazepines are psychoactive medications that are used in the medical field for treating cognitive abnormalities such as anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorders. They also have properties that can be used to assist in alcohol withdrawal and seizures. Common drugs in the benzodiazepine classification are Xanax, lorazepam, and valium.

“Benzos” are safest and most effective if taken on a short-term basis. Taking these medications only for a short period of time decreases symptoms such as nervousness, fear, or worrying. They also help decrease excessive physical symptoms such as abnormally fast heartbeat, breathing problems, restlessness, dizziness, and sweating. After these symptoms have been managed, therapeutic practices are substituted for medication, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Long-term use or abuse of these medications have dangerous side effects including adverse reactions such as further anxiety, depression, addiction, and other cognitive defects. They are also one of only two drugs that can lead to death during withdrawal if not done in a controlled and monitored environment. The other being alcohol.

These drugs affect the neurotransmitter known as GABA. They have a calming effect on hyperactivity within the brain.

Children being treated with Benzos

Lorcet DetoxThough benzodiazepine use is much more common among adults, there has been an increase in using benzos to treat adolescents. The prescriptions should be administered with more vigilance when given to children and at a much lower dosage. The negative outcomes from long-term use are much more likely with adolescents because of the chemical manipulation within an undeveloped brain.

The time of effective treatment under these medications should also be reduced for children if at all possible. In certain cases, extended time may be necessary to suppress symptoms for disorders such as severe anxiety and frequent seizures. Doctors will work with individual patients in order to constructively move away from chemical dependence and into more conventional forms of treatment involving therapy.

The horrors of epilepsy and seizure disorders

The cases where children, especially infants and toddlers who are subjected to the terrors of disorders such as epilepsy, are medicated with benzodiazepines for long periods of time are scary and all but certain pertaining to results. Epilepsy is a life-threatening disorder that is a definite cause for much concern for parents of the children who have been diagnosed. It involves reoccurring seizures that can be nearly undetectable if not monitored properly. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in 2013 about 1% of children between the ages of 0 and 17 had been diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure disorder. That’s 750,000 children in the United States. In the same study, 5.1 million people had been diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure disorder including adults in the United States.

Scientists are now researching alternative treatments for such situations. One solution has been focused on the CBD (cannabidiol) chemical in cannabis. Of course because of its legal status, marijuana has been heavily restricted or regulated due to the psychoactive effects caused by its other main chemical agent, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The following video illustrates the terrors of a child with epilepsy.

57 comments
  1. Just be careful of nervousness, fear, or worry. They also help decrease excessive physical symptoms such as abnormally fast heartbeat, breathing problems, restlessness, dizziness, and sweating.

  2. This is a really beautiful and educating piece on Benzodiazepines. Now I know a whole lot better about it. Long term use should sure be avoided at all cost. Thanks Detoxtorehab for this one.

    1. This is a really educating piece on Benzodiazepines. Long term use should sure be avoided at all cost. Thanks Detoxtorehab for this one.

  3. Benzodiazepines has its negative and positive effect. It’s better to use it for people in the short term than in the long term to avoid any side effect.

  4. Benzodiazepines has a viable use in the treatment of several life threatening health challenges, however just like other drugs, proper usage supervision and dosage monitoring must be put in place to avoid abuse.

  5. There are so many benefits attached to the use of Benzodiazepines. but one should take proper care in using it to avoid its long term negative effect.

  6. I enjoy working with other individuals and organizations that share my belief. One solution has been focused on the CBD (cannabidiol) chemical in cannabis. They are also one of only two drugs that can lead.

  7. This article is an eye opener, I had no knowledge on this subject matter before now, in glad this is been talked and it will create more awareness.

  8. Though I have never heard if this drug but it is a good one. As good as it seems, it can’t just be used indiscriminately.

  9. Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something and try to recover from that.

  10. Taking too much of anything is really harmful to health in the long run. What medicine may be good in small doses can literally destroy a person if taken excessively or used improperly. I sure hope that an alternate cure could be seen for people suffering from epilepsy in the near future.

  11. Benzdiazepine is a powerful drug which must be used under strict guidance, one should make sure the prescription is being followed.

  12. This is informative and educative. No form of drugs should be abused because their side effect isn’t always good

  13. Hearing about this for the first time. Good to know that “Benzos” are safest and most effective if taken on a short-term basis.

  14. Thanks for sharing such stuff . It really helps a lot in my life to take some critical decision .Thank you once again.

  15. I have learnt some useful information from this post, now I know what Benzodiazepines is and its negative effects. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing this post.

  16. Actually this Benzodiazepines helping many people for many treatment deases,but if it uncountroul it’s very risky,hope using this kind of drug only for medical treatment not for sale

  17. This is a Relevant Article I must say.
    I’ve been informed that taking Benzos are safest and most effective when taken on a short term Basis.

  18. This kind of a drug shouldn’t be made available all over because of its effect on human life. It is destructive if used without a course.

  19. This means is absolutely dangerous. I mean the consumption of the drug. There should be monitoring in terms of the usage.

  20. I totally agree. This drug can greatly help with cognitive treatment but once taken in long term use, the damage can be fatal. To make it simple, all drugs can be fatal once taken abnormally.

  21. This article has shown the dangers of using the drug. Kudos go to Detox for educating people on the potential risks of certain drugs.

  22. Very interesting findings and good cautionary advice how to use benzodiazepine properly. I think doctors that prescribe it, should be very honest about the side effects and heightened risk for youth.

  23. These days are very common to suffer, depression, stress, and anxiety and have to take one of the medications mentioned here. However, is better to try not to abuse them considering the very negative side effects

  24. It is always a wise thing to get yourself treated with drugs such as Benzodiazepines under the supervision of a qualified doctor only. Treating yourself without prescription could lead to adverse effects on your health and in worst cases, your health might get worse to the point that you may require urgent treatment.

  25. Detox has seemed it fit to unveil the risks involved in taking Benzodiazepines. In view of this, people should desist from using the drug carelessly for a healthy living.

  26. This article is very informative. At least precautionary measures can be taken now that one has know much about the harm benzos

  27. People misusing drugs turned a very effective drugs when used on a short time bases to a dangerous one. We should be careful on what we use. Side effects killing

  28. Nothing misused ends well, benzo is really dangerous when missused. More monitoring should be introduced to everyone this drug is administered to.

  29. This drug is nice if taken for short term but not healthy to get addicted to it. nice and useful information given here.

  30. Benzodiazepines needed to be properly monitored when diagnosed to patients. A long time usage of this wonderful drug is killing, be warned

  31. Benzodiazepines isn’t bad at all, we are the one that misuse it and turned a very good helping drug to dangerous. We need to monitor diagnose of drugs like this

  32. The addictive nature of benzodiapines makes them unsuitable to use as medication. Indeed, alternatives should be sought fast.

  33. A drug that is meant to treat psychological abnormalities must be dangerous to those who are not having that kind of ailment. It shouldn’t be made available in every pharmaceutical stores to avoid the abusive usage.

  34. A drug that is meant to treat psychological abnormalities must be dangerous to those who are not having that kind of ailment. It shouldn’t be made available in every pharmaceutical stores to avoid the abusive use.

  35. Wow! I never knew how dangerous these drugs are. I believe these drugs are not sold over the counter, anyone using these drugs for any medical condition should be under supervision so that it wouldn’t be abused.

  36. Benzos is a really powerful drug which need to be used with care and Instructions when used in treating childrens.
    A Relevant piece of information.

  37. Benzos is a really powerful drug which need to be used with appropriate Instructions when used in treating childrens.
    Other alternatives for Benzos with reduced effects needs to be put in place.

  38. This is a very helpful and informative read. Benzos should be obeserved well when children are diagnosed to be medicating it. Parents should be aware.

  39. Just learning about Benzodiazepines, i think it should be taken shiort term to avoid addiction. Anything one over-indulge in sooner or later it will be addictive.

  40. Benzodiazepines can be help with trauma anxiety and depression. but the users should be a little mindful to avoid long term use which could lead to addiction.

  41. Their is more to ‘Benzos, it is really proactive in reducing negative health deficiency just as you’ve explained in the article. Those who are battling with drug abuse shouldn’t hesitate to get Benzos to reduce alcoholic effect.

  42. With proper supervision why not? I am all for it. However the issue lies with the fact that these can be addicting especially how strong these are.I have seen and heard too many stories of addiction that starts off with a mere painkiller . How much more these.

  43. Thank you so much for sharing this info! It’s truly terrifying seeing this happen and I hope that we could all learn from here. Will definitely share this to other friends and family members. The potential of benzodiazepines, both positive and negative, are quite eye opening.

    1. The benefits of Benzodiazepines are numerous if only it is used for a short time..thanks for highlighting the effect of the drug if taken long term…a lot of people are ignorant of these effects and these article is such an eye opener..the fact that it can even lead to lead if not done in a controlled environment is enough reason for people to stop using this drug long term

  44. I think doctors should educate patients on the dangers of benzodiapezines before prescribing them. The side effects far outweigh the benefits

  45. I am just hearing about the drug benzodiazépines. In as much it’s a safe dug for anxieties and nervousness, the use should be moderate. Thanks for this informative post.

  46. Benzodiazepines has its negative and positive effect. It should not be made available in every pharmaceutical stores to avoid the abusive use.

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