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In 2016, 23 million adults across the United States received a prescription for benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a form of prescription medication that comes in many different generic forms. Benzos are primarily used to assist with depression, anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, though each specific medication has its own primary use. These medications come in two types: short-acting and long-acting.
Most people know these benzodiazepines by their name brands. Pop culture has even come to refer to some of the medications, such as Xanax, in songs and movies. Benzodiazepines have the potential for substance use disorder to develop. Here at Serenity Lane, we offer treatment and education surrounding medications and other substances like benzodiazepines. Here are some of the most common name-brand versions of benzos that you might’ve heard of before.
Otherwise known as diazepam, Valium is used to help with seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and anxiety. It is sometimes used to help with anesthesia as well. It is a long-acting benzodiazepine.
Its generic name is alprazolam, and it is primarily used for anxiety and panic disorders. It is a short-acting benzodiazepine. It is primarily utilized in “as needed” situations, such as assisting with a panic attack. There are also forms of Xanax that have extended-release tablets. These might be used over longer periods of time to better assist with generalized anxiety disorders (GAD).
Halcion, otherwise known as triazolam, is a short-acting form of benzodiazepine that is primarily used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
The generic name for Ativan is lorazepam. It is a short-acting medication approved for helping treat anxiety, status epilepticus (continuous seizures), and insomnia. It is also sometimes utilized before anesthesia.
Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam, which is a long-acting form of benzodiazepine. Its primary use is for panic disorders and some forms of seizure disorders.
Benzodiazepines in all of their forms have the potential for both withdrawal and hangover-like symptoms depending on whether or not the substance is long-acting or short-acting. From 2019 to 2020, the amount of benzodiazepine-related overdoses seen in emergency rooms increased by 23.7% per 100,000 visits.
If you or a loved one is prescribed benzodiazepines, be aware of what other medications or substances you might take while on them. Benzodiazepine overdoses on their own are rarely fatal, but in combination with other substances, they can quickly become deadly.
Here are some overdose signs to look out for:
The category of benzodiazepines is large, and it covers many name-brand medications, all of which act in their own way. So what classifies them as benzodiazepines?
All benzodiazepines are depressants. They produce sedation and hypnosis-like effects and are primarily used to help with anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and sleep disorders. Each form acts in its own way and is not necessarily interchangeable with other benzodiazepines. Always consult a medical professional if you have any questions about which benzo prescription might work best for you.
In addition to its many generic forms, benzodiazepines also fall into two broader categories: short-acting and long-acting.
The efficacy and use of benzos vary depending on dosages, potency, and your own personal metabolism. This doesn’t affect the measured half-life of any given medication, but half-lives are measured in ranges to help account for these variations.
The benzodiazepine that works best for you isn’t guaranteed to be the best option for a different patient. In some instances, patients have built a tolerance to certain benzodiazepines over time. If you’re no longer experiencing the results you desire from your prescription, make sure you talk with your doctor.
If you have anxiety, a sleep disorder, seizures, or ADHD, make sure you speak with a medical professional about what symptoms you’re wanting to better control. It’s also important to note that some medications can interact with benzodiazepines, so your current medications can impact what benzodiazepine might work best for you.
Short-acting benzodiazepines exit your system faster than long-acting ones, but there are many variables to consider.
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, benzodiazepines are detectable in your saliva for up to 24 hours and can stay in your urine for up to 2 weeks, depending on the specific variation.
Across the United States, benzodiazepines contributed to over 12,000 overdose deaths in 2020. These deaths are derived from a combination of real and counterfeit pills, as well as combining benzodiazepines with other substances. It’s important to know the dangers of taking prescription medications without the approval of your doctor or a medical professional.
The use of benzodiazepines becomes a benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD) when the patient becomes dependent upon benzos to feel normal. A benzodiazepine use disorder won’t pop up overnight. Most commonly it can be developed when a person is regularly taking benzodiazepines in combination with other substances, such as opioids. It can also develop, however, when a person continuously uses their prescription benzodiazepines against medical directions.
One of the important parts of the treatment of benzodiazepines use disorder is detox. It can be dangerous to detox from benzodiazepines without medical assistance, as some side effects of the withdrawal can be dangerous. In some cases, those who have gone through detox may experience protracted withdrawal, which means the symptoms of withdrawal are experienced off and on over a period of several months.
After detox, a patient can speak with their case manager to decide what course of action might best suit them next, from residential or inpatient rehab services to outpatient options.
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine use disorder, Serenity Lane is here to help. Call us today at 800-543-9905 to learn more about our treatment options.
What are the differences between Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines have different forms and functions, from short-acting to long-acting. While they all fall under the same umbrella of depressants, some benzos are used for anxiety while others might be used for sleeping disorders. It’s important to talk to a medical professional about what symptoms you need help with to find the medication that will work best for you.
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