Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs)
Sometimes called “benzo’s”, benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs which enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA which results in increased sedation, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant action. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms and withdrawals from alcohol and other prescription drugs.
Benzo’s are considered to be generally safe and effective for short term use but are too often prescribed for long duration “maintenance programs” which can cause severe cognitive impairment and eventually lead to increased symptoms which the drug was originally intended to handle, i.e, severe insomnia in patients who originally took the medication in order to sleep.
Some common Benzo’s are:
Atarax, Ativan, Buspar, Halcion, Klonopin, Librium, Paxipam, Reapam, Restoril, Valium, Vistaril and Xanax.
Common withdrawal symptoms can include:
Tremors, Insomnia, Nausea, Agitation, Fear, Muscle Spasms, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Seizures.
Common side effects:
Aggression, Agitation, Amnesia, Anxiety, Confusion, Depression, Disorientation, Epileptic Seizures and Death, Fear, Hallucinations, Insomnia, Muscle Tremors, Nausea, Nightmares, Psychosis, Sexual Problems and Thoughts of Suicide.
Pretty much all directions are to prescribe and use benzodiazepines for short-term treatment only. Their use beyond two to four weeks is not recommended due to the risk of dependence and the onset of other symptoms. But unfortunately this is not what is being followed in our current medical industry. And hence why approximately 1/3 of our client base consists of people wanting to detox from benzodiazepines.
There is definitely an increased withdrawal period with benzodiazepines. But it is still possible to safely do so within a matter of a few weeks even in severe cases. Pür Detox can help you do just that and has had many successes doing so. Contact us at 888-803-3869. We can help.
