Benzodiazepine Misuse: An Epidemic Within a Pandemic

The antiepileptic oxcarbazepine has also shown potential to ameliorate withdrawal symptoms more than older-generation antiepileptics such as carbamazepine 71. Oxcarbazepine has a better side effect profile and is a more tolerable anticonvulsant than older antiepileptic drugs 71. One case series showed that not only did oxcarbazepine provide more tolerability than the current mainstay of treatment, but it also shortened the withdrawal time frame for patients to just 11 to 19 days, even for patients previously taking high doses of BZD 71.

Benzodiazepine use in schizophrenia: A review of the literature

Patients in the ED often can be safely phenobarbital-loaded and discharged, assuming hemodynamic stability, normal alertness, and resolution of withdrawal symptoms. More rigorous studies are needed determine dose thresholds that warrant hospital admission. Hailey Shafir is a licensed addiction specialist and mental health counselor. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a master of education in clinical mental health counseling in 2012, and has developed deep expertise in the areas of mental health, behavioral addictions and substance abuse.

Drug abusers often deny their problem by playing down the extent of their drug use or blaming job or family stress. No medication has been shown to be effective for treating benzodiazepine use disorder. If doctors think you may have overdosed on purpose or are at risk of harming yourself or others, you may see a psychiatrist or addiction specialist before you leave the hospital.

Benzodiazepine Abuse and Addiction Treatment Options

Additionally, they can counteract the effects of antidepressants, potentially hindering recovery. While this is an evolving area in research, the present view is that using a combination of benzodiazepines and antidepressants is effective in the early stage of depression but can worsen the condition after months due to how they affect the brain. Black market dealers might sell drugs like Xanax and Klonopin to people who want the relaxing effects of benzodiazepines. Some benzodiazepines are even used to decrease the potentially life-threatening symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Physical Symptoms

Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Benzodiazepines can be an important treatment option for treating disorders for which these drugs are indicated. However, even when taken at recommended dosages, their use can lead to misuse, abuse, and addiction. Abuse and misuse can result in overdose or death, especially when benzodiazepines are combined with other medicines, such as opioid pain relievers, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Physical https://ecosoberhouse.com/ dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed. Stopping them abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can result in withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening.

• A medically supervised detox can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
• Nevertheless, the comparable prevalence between men and women in the U.S. and higher rates of misuse among women outside of the U.S. is in contrast to many other substances (e.g., heroin, marijuana), for which prevalence is generally higher in men (CBHSQ, 2018b).
• According to a 2023 study published in CNS & Neurological Disorders, benzodiazepines increase stage 2 of non-rapid eye movement sleep while decreasing the time spent in stages 3 and 4 sleep.
• In the USA, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is an electronic way to monitor the dispensing of controlled substances used in most states 42.
• The most effective treatment for benzodiazepine use disorder is to gradually reduce how much of the drug you use under the supervision of a medical professional.

The vast majority of studies examining racial/ethnic identity as a correlate of benzodiazepine misuse have been conducted in the U.S., and therefore racial/ethnic minority status refers to U.S. demographics. It’s also less awkward or embarrassing because I don’t have to rely on someone else to administer it rectally. I liked that I could carry it around with me in my backpack or coat pocket, and that for most people, one dose usually works.“So I did my research to learn more and asked my nurse practitioner and neurologist what they thought about it. Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods. Withdrawal symptoms and other issues related to the risk of relapse can be tackled with confidence through knowledge. Though intellectual and cognitive symptoms are intertwined, they are not synonymous with symptoms of withdrawal or PAWS.

• If you are concerned that you or someone else has taken an overdose, it is very important that you seek medical help immediately.
• While the study showed some teratogenic effects of BZDs on fetuses, the result is not statistically significant, and some of the malformations seen in fetuses in the study may have been due to the use of other medications such as antidepressants 24.
• Ms. Votaw, Ms. Geyer, and Ms. Rieselbach extracted data and provided summaries of the relevant studies.
• Although between 11% and 15% of individuals in the U.S. use benzodiazepines, only 1-2% have abused benzodiazepines for longer than 12 months.
• This drug has also been studied in the context of both BZD replacement and withdrawal as a potential treatment 70.
• They found a 35% increased chance of developing a new non-melanoma cancer in users of hypnotics 48.

• Urine-confirmed self-report and assessment for current prescriptions is needed in these populations.
• Benzodiazepine use in COVID-19 patients has been shown to exacerbate delirium and suppress respiratory drive in patients with respiratory suppression 41.
• Clonazepam has been used in the outpatient setting as a medication for taping the use of BZD.
• All authors contributed to the first draft of the manuscript and have approved of the final manuscript before submission.

The longer you\’ve abused drugs and alcohol, the more intense your withdrawal symptoms will be. If you suspect someone has overdosed on benzodiazepines, call 911 immediately. Prompt medical attention is necessary to prevent health complications, permanent damage, and death. Symptoms could start a few hours after you last take a short-acting benzodiazepine.

Captodiamine is showing promise as a potential medication for the management of BZD withdrawal syndrome; however, more research needs to be performed on the side effects and safety profile of the drug. The beta-blocker propranolol has shown mixed results when it comes to treating BZD withdrawal and dependence. One study found that propranolol attenuated some withdrawal symptoms in patients who stopped taking either diazepam (a long-acting BZD) and those who took lorazepam (a short-acting one) abruptly 69. However, in the same study, 27–45% of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms even while taking propranolol 69.

Patients that take high doses or use them for longer than prescribed have an increased risk of addiction. Lockdown has also resulted in a lot of online browsing about potential drugs of abuse. Google trends in health-related research showed a significant increase in online search interest for the keywords representing benzodiazepines during the lockdown in India 51. Ireland also reported an increase in the use of alcohol and benzodiazepine use during lockdown periods which has continued after the lockdown as well 52. alcoholism The use of illicit drugs has returned to pre-lockdown levels, leading to an elevated risk of developing comorbid psychiatric disorders and other health conditions 52. Because benzodiazepines are controlled substances with abuse potential, special attention must be directed toward the patient’s addiction history before these agents are prescribed.

Links to NCBI Databases

Our search strategy resulted in 209 studies; 31 studies are excluded based on title screening. benzo withdrawal timeline Reasons for exclusion included duplicates articles (35), case reports (26), case series (seven), review articles (61), and editorial articles (10). Following this, 39 articles were retrieved out of which four were not accessible.