Substance Abuse in America
There are many approaches to drug addiction and its treatment. Unfortunately, there was a very low rate of success treating addiction in the past, but research from the 1970s has helped to pinpoint some of the principles that helped decide which methods would result in favorable outcomes when helping individuals recover from addiction.
One of the most frustrating parts of addiction is that even temporary success might not mean permanent recovery, so it is vital that once people choose to get help that they find a program based on solid principles. Because every individual is different, one of the most important principles of a recovery program is the creation of a recovery program that is tailored to the individual’s needs and will continue to be relevant once the initial treatment program is finished.
An effective treatment program will focus on an individual’s physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs, and will need to be adjusted as circumstances change. Individuals will find more success if they start the recovery process with a team of other individuals who are committed to helping them recover.
Benzodiazepines: Treating Anxiety or Causing Anxiety?
There are many reasons that Benzodiazepines are easy to become addicted to, one of which is simply that they at least initially give the user a sense of relaxation. Users may take more because they want to intensify the original feeling the drugs give them, leading to physical and psychological addiction.
Doctors were unfortunately not realizing how addictive Benzos were, and studies showed that in 2013 and 2014, about 1 in every 25 adults was taking Benzos. Shockingly, about 1 in every 5 users also admitted abusing the drug. While much of the abuse occurs in younger people, all age ranges are represented when it comes to Benzo use and addiction. This is especially shocking when considering that Benzos don’t do a very good job treating the conditions they are prescribed for.
Millions of people reported that they didn’t use their Benzos as prescribed, and part of the problem may be the illusion of safety users feel because Benzos are a prescription drug. They feel that the drugs are a solution to the real problems in their lives, where it may be difficult to deal with the stress of work, family and other obligations.
What Exactly are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines themselves are often originally prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists for legitimate conditions. They provide comfort and relief to help patients who are suffering from a wide variety of problems, including
- insomnia
- anxiety
- alcohol withdrawal
- or who need one-time help inducing amnesia before a surgery where they will be awake.
They are used as tranquilizers, and many people are familiar with the trade names Valium and Xanax. The amount of time they are effective can be very short, like Midazolam, which is one of the ones used before surgical procedures. There are also long lasting benzodiazepines, like Librium, which is used to treat withdrawal symptoms.
People who follow directions may suffer from other ill effects after prolonged use, like cognitive impairment. The individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease also rose strikingly with the long term use of Benzodiazepines, and they are correlated with earlier death.
Benzo Abuse in America on the Rise
The number of deaths due to Benzodiazepine abuse grew dramatically between 1999 and 2015, with almost 8 times as many overdoses. 8,791 deaths is a lot, and people who overdose on Benzos may also have other serious complications, like pneumonia, brain damage and/or muscle damage. Mixing alcohol and other drugs exacerbates the danger, making a serious reaction more likely.
Trying to stop taking Benzos can be dangerous by itself, and some withdrawal symptoms include
- sweating
- nausea
- sleep changes
- panic attacks
- heart palpitations,
- and many others.
Someone who was taking high doses might experience severe symptoms when trying to quit, such as seizures and psychosis. Anyone trying to give up Benzodiazepine use should consider drug rehabs for Benzo abuse, where their physical needs will be safely met before tackling the more long term problems of addiction.
Get Treatment for Benzodiazepine Addiction at Rise in Malibu
At Rise in Malibu, we help people who have already had trouble quitting, including people who have experienced treatment failures. We focus on the individual, making sure that all your needs are met, and that you will have a safe place to stay if you need to detox or if you need to get away from your current situation while you turn the focus on yourself.
Rise in Malibu is a new luxury drug rehab program that offers partial scholarships to qualified applicants and deals with patients’ needs on a holistic level, mixing modern treatment methods with traditional, trusted practices. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, please feel free to call our caring staff at 1-888-229-5267. Your journey will begin when you take the first step.
