Benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, are a type of central nervous system depressant that is very effective in treating insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. It is a highly addictive substance and can lead to an addiction if they take more than prescribed or take them with other drugs or alcohol. Recognizing benzo addiction symptoms is imperative to know if you or a loved one is taking this medication. Without professional support, benzo addiction can cause significant physical and psychological harm and death.
7 Summit Pathways is a full-service outpatient treatment facility that aids the recovery of men and women who are struggling with an addiction to benzodiazepines and other lethal narcotics. Our programs are based on each patient’s individual symptoms and will include a mix of behavioral and holistic therapy along with medical support. You will participate in group and private therapy sessions led by a certified therapist with years of experience treating all types of addiction. For more information about our benzo addiction treatment in Tampa, send us a message online or call 813.212.7149 today to schedule a tour and meet our team.
What Is Benzo Addiction?
Benzodiazepine addiction is a serious issue in the U.S. In 2021 alone, there were 12,499 deaths caused by a benzo overdose1. The death rates continue to increase over the years as more people start abusing their prescriptions to feel the euphoric effects that high doses can cause. The most commonly abused brand names of benzos today include Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan.
How do you know if someone is abusing their benzodiazepine prescription? There are certain signs that you can look for that point to a concerning problem:
- They run out of their prescription before the refill date.
- They take their prescription with alcohol or other depressants.
- They take benzos “just in case.”
- They have the same prescription from multiple doctors or have prescriptions for other people.
- They continue taking benzodiazepines for longer than 30 days.
Benzodiazepines can cause significant psychological and physical harm when abused or taken regularly for an extended period of time. While these medications are safe to take when you follow the prescription, they come with a high rate of addiction.
At 7 Summit Pathways, we can support your recovery from benzo addiction at our discreet 22-bed outpatient facility in Tampa. Our therapists have years of experience treating benzodiazepine addiction and helping patients reach their recovery goals using cognitive-behavioral therapy and other types of beneficial therapies and medications.
Understanding Benzo Addiction Symptoms
If you or a loved one is abusing their benzodiazepine prescription, here are some of the more common physical and psychological benzo addiction symptoms that you can look for:
Physical Symptoms
High doses of benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness and fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness, a lack of coordination, and difficulty breathing. In many cases, people who abuse benzos will begin to show a decline in their appearance as they start neglecting their personal hygiene.
Psychological Symptoms
Long-term benzo abuse can lead to changes in their behavior and personality. They will begin struggling to keep up with work or school responsibilities, experience relationship trouble, have frequent mood swings, and pull away from friends and family. Chronic abuse can also lead to increasing anxiety, insomnia, and strong cravings for more benzodiazepines that make it nearly impossible to quit without professional support.
Benzo addiction is a serious mental health disorder that is treatable through a combination of behavioral and holistic therapy and medication-assisted treatments. Those who try to quit alone are more likely to relapse and risk an overdose and death if they don’t take their lowered tolerance into account.
Benzo Addiction Treatment in Tampa at 7 Summit Pathways
What is benzo addiction, and what is the best way to treat it? At 7 Summit Pathways, we will discuss your recovery program with you and answer any questions you have about the experience. Our team will go over each phase of the recovery process and the types of therapies that you will participate in. Our outpatient treatment programs use a number of proven therapeutic techniques, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Meditative therapy
- Massage therapy
- Family therapy/counseling
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to benzodiazepines, reach out online or call 813.212.7149 today to begin your recovery journey with our compassionate team.