Benzodiazepine Awareness Day on July 11 is a national day created to highlight the dangers of benzodiazepine misuse and addiction.2 Benzodiazepine medications are frequently prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders, but misuse can lead to dependence, addiction, and overdose. Read on to learn more about what benzodiazepines are, their risks, why awareness matters, and how individuals struggling with benzodiazepine addiction can seek help.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, commonly called benzos, are sedatives that act on the central nervous system by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. Common brand names include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). Originally introduced in the 1960s, benzodiazepine drugs quickly became among the most prescribed worldwide.1
When taken for a short duration under medical supervision, benzodiazepines can offer symptom relief and be very effective. However, prolonged use greatly increases risks of tolerance, dependence, and cognitive decline.
Why Is Benzodiazepine Awareness Day Important?
Benzodiazepine Awareness Day started in 2016 and is observed annually on July 11, Professor Heather Ashton’s birthday.2 It aims to educate clinicians, policymakers, and the public about the dangers of benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. The W-BAD initiative promotes safer prescribing practices, informed consent and access to tapering protocols, and inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment support.3
The day also gives a platform for individuals affected by benzodiazepine harm to share experiences and advocate for change.
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction or dependence, Empowered Recovery Center can help. Contact our Atlanta drug rehab to learn more about our rehab programs, addiction treatment methods, and how we help our patients find long-term recovery.
Benzodiazepine Addiction & Misuse
Short-term use of benzodiazepines is medically appropriate, but dependence can develop quickly particularly when the drug is misused. Misuse often occurs when people continue using beyond prescribed durations or mix benzos with alcohol or opioids.4 Mixing benzos and opioids significantly increases overdose risk; overdose death rates for individuals prescribed both benzodiazepines and opioids may be ten times higher than for those prescribed opioids alone.5,6
In 2021, nearly 14% of opioid-related overdose deaths also involved benzodiazepines.7 Benzodiazepine Awareness Day offers a unique opportunity to remind medical professionals and patients of the dangers of prescribing and using these drugs together.
Signs of Benzo Addiction
Typical signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction or may include:4
- Visiting multiple doctors for prescriptions
- Taking more than prescribed or taking longer than intended
- Needing larger doses to achieve desired effects (tolerance)
- Strong cravings or desired to use the drug
- Withdrawal symptoms when missing doses
- Spending a significant amount of time obtaining the substance4
- Visiting multiple doctors for prescriptions
Benzodiazepine Overdose Statistics & Risks
While benzodiazepines alone rarely cause fatal overdoses, combined use with opioids or alcohol can severely suppress breathing.7 Between January 2019 and June 2020, the CDC reported a 21.8% increase in prescription benzo-related deaths and a 519.6% increase in illicit benzo-related deaths. In that period, nearly 92.7% of benzo-involved deaths also involved opioids, mainly fentanyl.6
The FDA has issued a black-box warning for benzodiazepines used with opioids, as benzodiazepines were involved in 31% of U.S. prescription-drug overdose deaths in 2013.8
Benzo Withdrawal & Detox
Even when taken as prescribed, stopping use of benzodiazepines can result in withdrawal symptoms that can last years.1,9 Withdrawal can cause anxiety, insomnia, tremors, seizures, and sensory disturbances. About 10-15% of long-term users experience protracted withdrawal symptoms.9 Because serious complications like seizures and heart issues may occur, medically supervised tapering is essential when attempting to quit benzodiazepines.
Medically-supervised drug detox typically includes:
- Gradual dose reduction
- Seizure monitoring and support
- Management of severe anxiety
- Continued outpatient counseling to support recovery
Benzo Addiction Recovery Programs in Atlanta
Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta provides comprehensive benzodiazepine addiction treatment tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our flexible outpatient programs allow clients to get the treatment they need without missing out on work, family commitments, and holiday plans.
We work with numerous in-network and out-of-network insurance plans as well as flexible payment plans to help patients pay for addiction treatment. Our rehab admissions team is available by phone or online to assist with inquiries about treatment, insurance coverage, and financing.
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine use, call Empowered Recovery Center today or verify your benefits online to begin your journey to recovery.
References:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24570-benzodiazepines-benzos
- https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/world-benzodiazepine-awareness-day-july-11
- https://worldbenzoday.org/about/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6007645/
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr137-508.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034a2.htm
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4816010/
- https://www.benzoinfo.com/protracted-withdrawal-syndrome
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