Benzodiazepine Addiction – Benzo Abuse Potential, Risks and Complications

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Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorder and are also often used by doctors treating patients that require medical detoxification. The benzodiazepine family includes drugs like alprazolam (“Xanax”), lorazepam (“Ativan”), clonazepam (“Klonopin”), diazepam (“Valium”), and flunitrazepam (“Rohypnol”). Many doctors prefer prescribing such drugs over barbiturates because adverse patient reactions are much less common.

That being said, the benzodiazepine class of drugs are regarded as potentially addictive and should be used with caution since psychological and physical dependence can develop in just a few weeks.

Benzos can be quite physically and psychologically addictive. These drugs are among the worst in terms of withdrawal symptoms, with some users of the opinion it’s even worse than opiate withdrawal. Patients who are detoxifying from heavy benzodiazepine use must be carefully weaned off the drugs or they will experience a variety of severe symptoms including convulsions, pyschosis and effects similar to the delirium tremens produced by withdrawal from alcohol.

There are various dangers associated with the frequent use of benzodiazepines, or “bennies” or “benzos”, as they are referred to on the street. These drugs severely impair the ability to drive or operate machinery. Such effects are greatly compounded by the consumption of alcohol. The effects of benzodiazepines are often very long-lasting and may be felt by the user long after he or she has taken the drug.

While other drugs produce withdrawal symptoms that are more uncomfortable for patients, detoxing from benzos can often be a life-and-death matter and is not to be treated lightly. Anyone who is suffering from benzodiazepine addiction is strongly encouraged to seek professional help. Please get in touch with a health professional who can help you find the treatment you need.

Oxycontin Addiction – Side Effects & Signs Of Oxycontin Abuse

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Oxycontin is the brand name for a powerful time-released form of oxycodone, an opiate pain killer commonly prescribed for severe chronic pain. The effects produced by Oxycontin are very similar to those produced by heroin and thus the drug appeals to the same class of users.

Oxycontin is manufactured as a tablet, which is designed to be swallowed whole. Its medical design and purpose is to be a slowly dissolving, time-released drug, but many users have found ways around the wait. Many oxycodone abusers will chew the pills to defeat the time-release mechanism or crush the tablets and the powder can be snorted or mixed with water and injected intravenously.

Oxycodone has become more popular than some other pain killers like Percocet and Percodan due to the latter drugs’ acetaminophen or aspirin content, respectively. The frequent or heavy use of those drugs will often lead to upset stomach. There is no such deterrent to the abuse of Oxycontin and as a result, it is far easier to overdose on oxycodone than many of the other pain killers available by prescription.

The effects of Oxycontin, as mentioned previously, are almost identical to the effects produced by heroin. Users of Oxycontin typically experience a general feeling of euphoria, relaxation, and physical pleasure or “body high”. While the “high” produced by oxycodone is equivalent to that produced by heroin, similarly, the side effects and withdrawal symptoms are equally unpleasant.

Frequent Oxycontin users will begin to display the following side effects: respiratory problems, constipation, dizziness or loss of equilibrium, nausea and vomiting, headache, and profuse sweating. These symptoms are all associated with Oxycontin abuse, and this prescription pain killer should not be taken with substances that slow down your breathing, such as alcohol, antihistamines (cold/allergy medication), barbiturates, or benzodiazepines. Additionally, studies have shown that Oxycontin users show a much higher incidence of heart disease.

Physical addiction to oxycodone is practically unavoidable. Users’ bodies rapidly develop a higher tolerance to the drug and chemical dependency is a near certainty. Like heroin, oxycodone attaches to the opiate receptors in the brain and the consequence is that the normal level of endorphin production is greatly reduced.

Depression is very common among opiate addicts and residential treatment is often the best choice for oxycontin addicts that are interested in recovery. If you or someone you love is addicted to Oxycontin, please speak with a health professional who can point you toward one of thousands of resources nationwide that are able to help you to become drug-free.