Benzo Overdose- Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

If you or a loved one suffers from anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms or seizures, you may have been prescribed a class of medication known as benzodiazepines or “benzos.”

You might wonder what benzodiazepines are, how benzos work, and what the side effects are. Plus, you might have heard about risk factors for a benzo overdose. What are the symptoms, and what should you do if you suspect a benzo overdose?

Benzo Overdose – What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are a class of medications that suppress your central nervous system (CNS) to help you relax. Benzos are generally prescribed for short-term management of medical conditions such as anxiety or insomnia. Long-term prescriptions for benzos are used for seizure disorders and people with significant chronic medical conditions, such as epilepsy.

Some of the brand names of benzos include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Restoril (temazepam).

According to the National Library of Medicine, benzodiazepines are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. Benzos gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s due to pop culture sensationalizing the benefits of Valium. Think of the song “Mother’s Little Helper” by the Rolling Stones.

Benzo Overdose – Can You Get Addicted to Benzos?

Benzodiazepines provide a relaxing effect on the brain and body. They can cause physical dependence even when taken as prescribed, and they have the potential for addiction when misused. Benzos are generally prescribed for short-term use, but a person may misuse benzos to increase the effects (or get high), enhance the effects of other substances like alcohol, or ease withdrawal symptoms from drugs like cocaine.

One of the side effects of benzodiazepines is that you may become tolerant of the drug and require a higher dose for it to be effective. This can lead to dependence and addiction. People may increase their frequency and dosage of benzos when they become physiologically dependent and want to reduce withdrawal symptoms from benzos.

The term hypnotic, sedative or anxiolytic disorder is used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V) to categorize benzo addiction. Some of the symptoms of addiction to benzodiazepines include:

Taking a higher dose of benzos over a longer period than prescribed.
Spending excessive amounts of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of benzos.
Experiencing severe cravings for benzos when the drug is not in a person’s system.
Having impaired performance at work, home, or school due to the effects of benzos.

Benzo Overdose – Can You Overdose on Benzos Alone?

The short answer is yes, although it is rare to overdose on benzos alone. The potential for overdose is higher when benzos are used with other substances.

Benzo overdose usually occurs when combined with other CNS depressants such as alcohol and opioids. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports some reasons people combine benzos with alcohol or opioids:

People combine drugs to enhance the effects of one of the drugs.
People with alcohol use disorders may experience intense psychoactive effects when using benzos when compared to people who do not have an alcohol use disorder.
Misuse of benzos may be due to the false impression that using prescription drugs such as benzos is safer than combining illicit drugs with alcohol or opioids.
Alcohol is legally accessible to most adults, which makes it a high-risk substance for combination with benzos.

Benzo Overdose – What are the Signs and Symptoms?

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, sixteen percent of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzos in 2020.

When someone takes a larger dose of benzos than their body can handle, the following symptoms may be present:

Extreme drowsiness
Slurred speech
Confusion
Uncoordinated movements
Shallow breathing
Loss of consciousness
Death

Benzo Overdose – Dangers of Withdrawal from Benzos

Trying to stop benzodiazepines on your own is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Withdrawal from benzos may require an inpatient medical detox under the care of a physician. There is a high risk of seizure and death when abruptly stopping benzos.

If you need additional information on how to withdraw safely from benzos, contact Summit Detox at (888) 995-5265.

Benzo Overdose – How to Seek Treatment

In many cases, people are unaware that they have an addiction problem with benzos. The line between drug abuse and drug addiction can be a slippery slope. Knowing exactly how and when to seek treatment can be confusing and overwhelming.

As mentioned earlier, withdrawal from benzodiazepines may require a medical detox to get the benzos out of your system safely. If you have become addicted to benzos, you’ll want to understand what caused the symptoms of anxiety or depression in the first place and whether you have a substance abuse disorder.

Finding a qualified treatment center is the first step to recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. You’ll want to find a nationally accredited recovery center with licensed professionals.

When you call a potential treatment provider, you’ll be given an initial screening over the phone that asks about your current symptoms and helps you find the appropriate level of care. You will also want to call your insurance company to check on your mental health and substance abuse benefits to help with coverage for your treatment.

Benzo Overdose – What to Expect in Treatment

Depending on your symptoms, several levels of care may be appropriate for your needs. These include inpatient detox, sub-acute detox, inpatient residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), or traditional outpatient treatment.

A qualified provider will give you specifics on what you should expect in your treatment and, for residential inpatient treatment, a list of items you can and cannot bring with you.

One common concern about entering treatment is how to talk to loved ones about mental health and substance abuse problems. A useful resource for learning to communicate with loved ones about these issues can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

When you first enter treatment, your treatment team will give you a thorough substance abuse evaluation. This will include in-depth questions about your physical and mental health, substance abuse history, and current symptoms. The results of this assessment will help you and your treatment team set specific goals for your recovery.

Benzo Overdose – Hope for Recovery

Addiction to benzodiazepines and other substances does not have to end in a potentially fatal overdose. Many people find qualified providers who can treat the underlying causes of benzo abuse, including mental health symptoms and substance abuse symptoms that can be addressed in treatment and prevent an overdose.

Most people who survive a benzo overdose will need mental health or substance abuse treatment once they are medically stable. One way to learn more about a treatment center is to visit its website and read testimonials from real-life graduates of their program. Here are a few examples from Summit Detox:

“You guys were the greatest. Everybody was so nice and professional that they made me feel more comfortable. My time there was tough, but I left feeling like a new person. I’m now in treatment, and for the first time in my life feel like I’m going to be okay. I can’t thank you enough.” — Bradon W.

Benzo Overdose – Action Steps

For more information about benzodiazepine addiction, safe withdrawal, or benzo overdose and treatment options, call Summit Detox at (888) 995-5265. Our specialists are standing by to answer all your questions and help you on your journey to recovery.