Dibenzazepine Addiction and Rehabilitation

Dibenzazepine Addiction Rehab Header
Last Edited: March 17, 2020
Author
Claudia Rose
Clinically Reviewed
Edward Jamison, MS, CAP, ICADC, LADC
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Dibenzazepine Abuse

Dibenzazepine is a chemical compound used as an intermediate agent in the synthesis of certain analgesic and antipsychotic drugs. Drugs such as clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, imipraminoxide, lofepramine, metapramine, opipramol, quinupramine, and trimipramine are manufactured from dibenzazepine.

First appearing during the 1960s, most of the medications found in the list of first and second generation antidepressants, together with certain anticonvulsants, are derived from dibenzazepine. Even though dibenzazepine is still in use today, it is slowly being replaced by newer, more benign, drugs.

Dibenzazepine is normally ingested in pill form, but can also be administered intravenously. Because dibenzazepine acts directly on the nervous system, it can produce manic episodes in those who use the drug, even while under medical supervision. Dibenzazepine, given its antidepressant nature, can also act as a painkiller and/or sedative, which means it blocks the pain receptors of the brain, making it the drug of choice for those seeking its sedative properties.

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Some of the immediate dangers of abusing any form of medication that has been developed from dibenzazepine come from the drug’s side effects, which can include hallucinations, an increase of the patient’s natural aggression, mood swings, restlessness, and severe anxiety. Because of this, and the violent component of the drug’s side effects, the danger of abuse is extended to those in the immediate area of the patient at the time of ingestion.

Continued use of the drug can result in permanent damage, which become manifest in sleep disorders, as well as psychosis, and suicidal tendencies, among others.

Street Names for Dibenzazepine

Because so many antidepressants and antipsychotics contain dibenzazepine, there isn’t really a single identifying street name for the drug. They are usually purchased illegally by using the generic or brand name of the specific medication, such as carbamazepine or Tegretol, desipramine or Norpramin, imipramine or Tofranil, etc., although these drugs can also be referred to as uppers, precisely because of their medical application.

In most cases, those who are abusing debenzazepine will purchase the drug online, from overseas distributors. Depending on the country of origin, the drug will most likely have the same or similar generic or brand name as it does in the United States. When the drug comes from Spanish speaking countries, the generic name will only vary slightly, but will remain identifiable to both medical personnel and the authorities. Some of the foreign names for debenzazepine, can be:

  • Dibenzazepina
  • Carbamazepina
  • Metapramina
  • Desipramina
  • Imipramina

More popular, amongst teens and young adults, is the name uppers, which can refer to any number of antidepressants. This alone can represent a grave risk to the user, as he can never be sure what he is purchasing.[/vc_column_text]

Dibenzazepine Effects

Dibenzazepine can present with a wide range of effects, which can be divided into three separate stages: the immediate effects, which can be noticed within a few minutes of the ingestion of the drug; short term effects, which start presenting when the user has been taking the drug consistently for a short period of time; and long term effects, which can be seen after using dibenzazepine for long periods of time at high doses. The immediate effects, which occur during the high and the period of time immediately after it, can include:

  • Confusion
  • Psychosis
  • Paranoia
  • The inability to feel pain
  • Drowsiness
  • Mood swings
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Confusion

After a relatively short period of time, dibenzazepine users can experience bladder pain, blurred vision, pain, itchy skin, tingling, painful urination, dizziness, irritability, tension or stiffness in the muscles, poor concentration, weakness, vomiting, nausea, and faintness, among others. Over the long term, users can present with psychosis, changes in cognition, and changes in appetite, a state of confusion, memory gaps and suicidal thoughts, as well as coma and death.

Warning Signs of Dibenzazepine Abuse in a Loved One

Many times, family and friends tend to overlook the signs and symptoms of dibenzazepine abuse in a loved one. This often stems from a feeling of denial. Nobody is ready to admit that a family member could be addicted to any kind of drug. Other times, these warning signs go unnoticed because they can be explained away by other conditions. Knowledge is power when it comes down to dibenzaepine addiction, and chances are that if you are worried about your loved one, or are unsure whether he or she could be abusing dibenzazepine, he is very likely already in trouble.

Some of the most common warning signs to look out for to help discover dibenzazepine abuse in a loved one, and which will require a consultation with a medical professional, are:

  • Sudden change in sleeping patterns
  • Unexpected mood swings
  • Psychosis
  • Changes in cognition
  • Unexplained appetite changes
  • Confusion
  • Memory gaps
  • Paranoia

If you, or your loved one are taking dibenzazepine and present any combination of these signs, give us a call so we can help.

If your loved one runs out of prescriptions before the date they should last until, or becomes nervous when there are only a few pills left, he or she may be abusing this drug. Many try taking more than prescribed, especially once tolerance is built.

Dibenzazepine slows down the systems of the body and when a person abuses it, the depressant effects may be more apparent. If your loved one seems out of it, overly tired, uncoordinated or a bit drunk with slurred speech, he or she may be abusing this drug.

All Benzos cause amnesia as they inhibit the memory forming faculty of the mind. If your loved one forgets things unusually often or has instances of blacking out, forgetting large portions of a day or longer, this is a sign of dibenzazepine abuse or addiction.

Factual Dangers: Dibenzazepine

Prolongued use of dibenzazepine is dangerous, both to the addict as those close to the addict. This is because it acts on the central nervous system in such a way that it can produce severe behavioral changes, which in turn will trigger violent and aggressive situations. Some of the most dangerous aspects of dibenzazepine abuse, both to the user and to those in close proximity are:

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True Stories of Addiction: Justin Overcomes Addiction

Justin’s life took a turn for the worst when he tried dibenzazepine. Listen to his story to figure out how he recovered. – View all episodes now

Dibenzazepine Rehab Treatment

There are two types of facilities in which a dibenzazepine addict can receive help: inpatient clinics and outpatient facilities. At an inpatient facility, the addict will live on site for the duration of the treatment. This offers a wide array of advantages, including the round the clock availability of clinicians and therapists to offer assistance when it is required.

Probably one of the best reasons for an addict to seek rehab treatment at an inpatient clinic is the removal of the outside, daily life stresses that led to addiction in the first place. Within an inpatient facility, the patient will also be able to meet people who are going through the same process, as well as participate in a number of activities designed to help a patient walk down the path to sobriety on neutral ground as he learns coping techniques to deal with the stresses of daily life.

At an outpatient facility, the addict will attend individual and group therapy sessions while still living at home. One of the great disadvantages of this type of facility is the fact that the stresses that pushed the patient into addiction are not removed, so it is easier to relapse. It is also more difficult to monitor a patient going through withdrawal, which can endanger his life.

Because dibenzazepine addiction produces suicidal thoughts, it is suggested an inpatient clinic be chosen, so the patient can be monitored safely and appropriately during this time, in order to prevent him from injury and death.

Dibenzazepine Detox Treatment

The first thing a dibenzazepine addict will experience will be a process known as withdrawal. This happens when he stops taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can start to appear anywhere from approximately 12 hours after the last dose, and up to a few days later, depending on several factors, including the weight of the patient, his or her overall health, the size of the last dosage, the time during which he has been abusing the drug, and his age.

For a patient to initiate his path to recovery, he must first go through a process known as detoxification, in which his body will experience the most severe symptoms of withdrawal, including pain in muscles and joints, severe anxiety, mood swings, violent outbursts, an increased heart rate, confusion, suicidal thoughts, and paranoia. Because some of these symptoms can injure or cause the patient to fall into a coma or die, the detox process should take place in a secure location in which medical assistance and clinical monitoring is available at all times.

During the time in which a patient is going through the detox process, he will be assessed to determine the course of action for his or her specific case. Medical tests will be performed to determine if there are other possible forms of substance abuse, as well as the status of his mental health and whether there are any factors that might trigger any changes in the treatment plan in order to find the best route to permanent sobriety.

Addiction to dibenzazepine

The first step towards an addiction to dibenzazepine is taken with the first dose you ingest. While that initial pill might be prescribed by a licensed physician, dibenzazepine can be highly addictive and you might find that by the end of your treatment you will have problems cutting back. This happens when your body starts developing a tolerance for dibenzazepine, meaning that your body adapts to the presence of the drug, requiring more of it as time goes by.

Most people do not become addicted on purpose. In most cases a dibenzazepine addict was already depressed when he started taking the medication. Over time, the original dose of the drug will stop working as well as it did at the beginning, and a higher dose will be required to achieve that sense of well-being again.

Those who resort to dibenzazepine and other tricyclic antidepressants are usually living with a large amount of pain, both physical and emotional, and might be unable to find a mechanism to help them cope with the stress of daily life. This fact alone increases their chances of becoming dependent on dibenzazepine.

Even with all this, there is hope for dibenzazepine addicts, and we are willing to help them find their way back to living a healthy and productive life while remaining sober and free from the shackles of dependency by providing an environment that will make them feel safe as they discover the root cause of their addiction and learn how to stay drug free.

Dibenzazepine Dependency

Dibenzazepine dependency is a term that describes what takes place in the body and brain when your loved one continue abusing the drug regardless of the negative consequences it may have on his or her life, relationships, and/or health. Dependency normally manifests with an increased need to use the drug. Every time the patient ingests dibenzazepine, the dose the body requires the next time around will have to be higher. This is the physical part of dependency, which takes place due to the way in which dibenzazepine works on the central nervous system. As time goes by, the patient’s body will require a higher dosage, and if it doesn’t receive it, withdrawal symptoms will appear.

The other side of dependency is the psychological aspect, which refers to the emotional and mental need for the drug. Similarly to physical dependence, the patient will start modifying his normal behavior in order to satisfy his need for dibenzazepine. Finding his next fix will become the driving force behind his actions, and he will completely disregard the consequences of what he must do to obtain it. To the patient, nothing matters except for finding the next dose.

Each patient will react differently to dibenzazepine, depending on factors such as age, weight, and overall health. As the body adapts to the presence of the drug, it will demand larger doses of dibenzazepine to continue feeling satisfied after long periods of time. It is because of this that withdrawal and detox can be dangerous and painful.

Intervention for Dibenzazepine Abuse

Because a dibenzazepine addict has become completely dependent on the drug, it is almost impossible for him to seek help on his own. This means that it’s going to take an effort on the part of his friends or family to make him recognize the problem and enter a program which will help him recover his sobriety and therefore his life.

The process in which the family and friends sit down with their loved one to let him know that his addiction is hurting them and how they are worried about the future, as well as all the positive and loving things they miss and wish would come back, is called an intervention.

During this emotional step, the addict will need a safe and loving environment, without recrimination for his actions and behaviors during the time he has been addicted. This will allow him to come to the realization that his actions, far from helping him cope, are creating a downward spiral that can only end negatively.

If the intervention is successful, the patient will agree to join a detox and rehab program that will help determine the root cause of his addiction, as well as teach him techniques that will aid in recovering his sobriety, together with his life.

It must be noted that interventions don’t always work as planned, but this does not mean they failed. If you need help setting up an intervention, give us a call and we will be happy to provide the guidance required. – Learn More

Dangers of Dibenzazepine Overdose

A dibenzazepine overdose can end in a case of fatal drug poisoning, due to its well-known cardiovascular and neurological side effects. This condition tends to be much worse when the patient is young, which means that if an overdose is suspected, specialized medical assistance should be sought immediately, as the potential for coma and death are very high, due to the drug’s rapid absorption by the small intestine. The initial symptoms of an overdose can appear as early as an hour after ingestion, but may appear hours later if the stomach takes longer to empty into the small intestine.

Some of the first signs of an overdose are a dry mouth, blurred vision, the inability to urinate, constipation, dizziness and vomiting. If medical attention is not available at this stage, these symptoms will worsen and new ones, such as an altered mental state, agitation, lethargy, dilated pupils, fever, confusion, cardiac arrhythmia, and slowed breathing, will appear. Finally, syncope, seizures, coma and death will ensue if the patient is not treated immediately at an appropriate medical facility.

The most dangerous effects of a dibenzazepine overdose are the cardiac and respiratory symptoms, which can cause irreversible damage to the brain from a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. While the treatment for a dibenzazepine overdose can vary from case to case, the most important action is to remove the drug from the stomach so as to stop any further intoxication, together with organ supporting measures to prevent any further collapse or breakdown.

Dangers of dibenzazepine Overdose

A dibenzazepine overdose can end in a case of fatal drug poisoning, due to its well-known cardiovascular and neurological side effects. This condition tends to be much worse when the patient is young, which means that if an overdose is suspected, specialized medical assistance should be sought immediately, as the potential for coma and death are very high, due to the drug’s rapid absorption by the small intestine. The initial symptoms of an overdose can appear as early as an hour after ingestion, but may appear hours later if the stomach takes longer to empty into the small intestine.

Some of the first signs of an overdose are a dry mouth, blurred vision, the inability to urinate, constipation, dizziness and vomiting. If medical attention is not available at this stage, these symptoms will worsen and new ones, such as an altered mental state, agitation, lethargy, dilated pupils, fever, confusion, cardiac arrhythmia, and slowed breathing, will appear. Finally, syncope, seizures, coma and death will ensue if the patient is not treated immediately at an appropriate medical facility.

The most dangerous effects of a dibenzazepine overdose are the cardiac and respiratory symptoms, which can cause irreversible damage to the brain from a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. While the treatment for a dibenzazepine overdose can vary from case to case, the most important action is to remove the drug from the stomach so as to stop any further intoxication, together with organ supporting measures to prevent any further collapse or breakdown. – Learn More

Dibenzazepine Use, Abuse and Dependency

Dibenzazepine is one of the most abused prescription drugs in the world. The main reason for this is the fact that it is so readily available in homes and medicine chests all over, as it is a highly prescribed antidepressant that has been prescribed regularly during the last 5 decades. This makes it relatively easy to find, together with its ready availability for purchase online from foreign countries where drug enforcement is not as strict. The abuse of dibenzazepine is usually rooted in what is a common treatment for depression, fueled in part due to the health care industry’s preference for prescribing drugs instead of proposing an alternative that might not be as harmful over the long term. In short, dibenzazepine is a legitimate drug with an enormous potential for abuse. Because of this, the number of patients addicted to tricyclic antidepressants continues to grow.

One of the main problems caused by the use of dibenzazepine is the fact that the user is rarely aware of the drug’s potential for creating a dependency, as well as its interaction with other drugs, which can, in effect, worsen its already severe side effects, increasing the level of toxicity to the body and central nervous system.

Dibenzazepine can be taken orally in the form of a tablet or liquid, is also available in an IV injectable form. It is considered to be an “upper”, which in essence means it will affect the behavioral centers of the brain, which will cause a feeling of well-being and happiness. This feeling can sometimes derive in manic episodes and paranoia. Dibenzazepine also acts like a painkiller, by affecting the brain’s pain receptors, which is why it is one of the most preferred by addicts.

The symptoms of dibenzazepine addiction can start off in a subtle manner, most noticeably with changes in the patient’s sleeping habits, but will expand over time to include a variety of negative behavioral changes, such as paranoia, psychosis, cognitive changes, confusion, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Dibenzazepine can also affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems over the long term, resulting in a reduction of oxygen in the bloodstream, which in turn will affect the brain’s ability to process a variety of functions, becoming confused and producing gaps in memory.

While the previous symptoms can be attributed to other health issues, if a patient is known to have been prescribed any form of dibenzazepine, it should always be considered as a first option when receiving medical care. The abuse of dibenzazepine is almost always apparent in the patient’s behavior. People who have normally been alert and even tempered will suddenly become confused, anxious, and even aggressive, oftentimes resorting to violence during a psychotic break or period of hallucinations.

Changes in sleep patterns, together with confusion and severe mood swings, are also signs of abuse. Patients usually find themselves withdrawing from friends and family as suicidal thoughts take hold, resulting in self-injury if help is not available. The unexplained disappearance of dibenzazepine derived drugs from their normal storage place, as well as the delivery of unmarked packages from foreign countries are also a surefire sign that something could be potentially wrong. Finally, the combination of several of the symptoms mentioned above, will be an unequivocal sign that a loved one has become dependent on dibenzazepine and help should be forthcoming.
While instinct and good observation skills will play an important part in the determination of a loved one’s addiction, it is always a good idea to perform medical and laboratory tests to determine the exact substance and whether any other drugs have been used. – Learn More

Short-Term Effects

The immediate effects of dibenzazepine abuse will vary from individual to individual depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, weight and overall health, although they usually start occurring within a few minutes and up to an hour after ingestion. The first symptom of dibenzazepine use will be a general feeling of well-being and the inability to feel pain, which can last for a period of several hours. This period is known as the period of sedation, and can lead to an altered state of mind, which presents with confusion, blurred vision, nervousness, dizziness, feeling faint, a feeling of sadness, and weakness.

The longer the patient uses dibenzazepine, the higher a dose he will need, and as that occurs, short term symptoms will begin to worsen, presenting with bladder pain, tingling sensations, pain during urination, poor concentration, shortness of breath, a tightness in the chest, an unusual and unexpected feeling of tiredness, muscle stiffness and pain.

As the abuse progresses, an altered mental state which can produce hallucinations, gaps in the patient’s memory, psychosis, paranoia, extreme and severe mood swings, an increase in aggression and the potential for violence, together with suicidal thoughts, will become present. It is at this point where family members start to notice something wrong and will begin to suspect possible substance abuse. If your loved one is presenting these symptoms and has become dependent on dibenzazepine, we will be happy to help him find his way down the path to recovery and a sober life.

Long-term effects

Once a patient has become dependent on dibenzazepine and the ability of the central nervous system to function without the drug has become impaired, long term effects and damage to the body will begin to appear. This happens because the body starts adapting and building up a tolerance to the drug, which means that the longer the person has been abusing the drug, the higher dosage he will need to achieve the initial high, a fact that is known to cause systemic damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Some of the more mild long term effects of dibenzazepine abuse involve the muscular and skeletal systems, with blatant affectations to bone growth and muscle stiffness being the most common. Some other effects that will become present over the long term are trouble breathing, lightheadedness, vertigo, dizziness, faintness, and the inability to concentrate on once mindless activities. A continued sense of confusion, which can lead to severe anxiety will ensue. This, in turn, can lead to heightened aggression and paranoia stemming from an altered state of mind, leading the patient to become violent and present criminal behavior and the potential for hurting those in the nearby vicinity.

One of the worst and most dangerous long term effects of dibenzazepine becomes evident when the patient becomes suicidal. Even though dibenzazepine is an anti-depressive, continued abuse will generate the opposite effect, which will then cause an already depressed patient to believe the only way out of his pain is through self-harm and death.

True Stories of Addiction: Breana’s Story

Breana’s life went downhill when she watched her mother pass away at 13 years old. She began experimenting with drugs, and it ended up taking everything from her. She was homeless, afraid and alone wondering what her life has become. She ended up getting pregnant and got on a dibenzazepine program that didn’t help her recover, but rather, it made things worse. Her child was taken by CPS and she was heartbroken. It took some time, but Breana fought the battle of addiction and won. She is now living a clean and sober life with her daughter right by her side. If Breana can recover, you can too.

Find out More about your available options today (866) 578-7471

Inpatient Dibenzazepine Rehab

The best treatment and rehabilitation option for dibenzazepine addicts are inpatient clinics. At these facilities, the patient will remain on site for the duration of the program. Because of the danger and risk that withdrawal can represent due to its severe and extreme symptoms, and cardiovascular and respiratory involvement, an inpatient facility will provide round the clock medical supervision for the entire detoxification process, as well as a peaceful and neutral setting that removes all the stresses of the patient’s daily life, which caused him to become addicted in the first place.

Inpatient facilities also ensure the road to recovery and sobriety is easier for the patient by offering individual and group therapy sessions, as well as assistance and reassurance at any time of the day or night. At an inpatient clinic, the patient will be able to participate in fun and educational activities and group outings which are directed towards learning how to live a healthy and sober life, and will provide the unique opportunity to meet people that will be empathetic and understanding, as they are going through the same process. This can lead to friendships and support systems that will last a lifetime.

Because dibenzazepine abuse changes the way the central nervous system reacts to stress, an inpatient facility will offer the most benign environment for the patient to learn coping mechanisms and techniques that will eventually help him step out into the world with a more positive outlook on a life of sobriety, stability and happiness. – Learn More

Outpatient dibenzazepine Rehab

Another type of treatment for dibenzazepine addiction is an outpatient rehab program, in which the patient continues living at home with his family, living his daily life, while attending both individual and group therapy sessions scheduled in advance. This may seem like a more convenient option given the fact that the patient will continue to interact with his loved ones, but in reality, it might not always be the most beneficial option for the patient.

Outpatient facilities rely on the good will of the patient, meaning that there is no way to force him or her to be present at therapy sessions. Another negative factor that might affect treatment at outpatient clinics is the fact that the stresses of daily life, those which opened the door to addiction, are not removed from the patient’s environment, which can produce an even higher level of stress which could cause a relapse.

Additionally, outpatient facilities do not offer the interaction with people in similar situations, except during the weekly group therapy session, which has proven to be of enormous help at supporting the patient down the road to sobriety.

These clinics are normally a better choice for those who have been abusing dibenzazepine for a shorter period of time, or who have become dependent on the drug after a medically prescribed course of treatment for depression or other ailments that require the use of this drug. In these cases, outpatient treatment might be a more positive solution for those who simply need to reinforce something they haven’t fully forgotten: that life can be a beautiful adventure when lived in a healthy and sober way. – Learn More