Commonly known as benzos, benzodiazepines are a class of drugs often prescribed to treat or manage conditions such as anxiety and insomnia, among others. While benzos do serve important medical uses, unfortunately, they are also used and abused in ways other than directed.
When used and abused in ways other than directed, benzos can cause significant health issues as well as dependency and addiction often resulting in the need to go to a benzo rehab facility in order to seek proper treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from Benzo abuse or addiction, keep reading to learn more about Benzo abuse as well as how Benzo addiction at The Lovett Center helps.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, often called “benzos,” are a class of psychoactive drugs that are considered central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Benzos work by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity, promoting a calming effect.
Common “name brand” benzos include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan and are often prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms.
While Benzos can be very effective when taken as medically directed for a short period of time, they can also be highly addicting and can come with significant mental and physical risks when taken longer than directed or used illicitly.
What Are Benzodiazepines Classified As?
As mentioned above, benzodiazepines fall under the category of central nervous system depressants. However, they also can be put under a larger umbrella of sedative-hypnotic drugs, which also include barbiturates and certain sleep aids.
While Benzos do have many important, legitimate medical uses, due to their propensity for abuse and dependency, they are considered a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
What Do Benzodiazepines Look Like?
When prescribed by a doctor or medical professional, benzos often come in the form of tablets or capsules. However, they can also be found in other forms as well. In fact, the appearance, and form, of benzos can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer, dosage, and type.
Some examples include:
- Tablets – These may come in round or oval shapes in various colors such as white, blue, yellow, or green. They may also have imprints indicating the dosage and brand.
- Capsules – Typically oblong and multi-colored, capsules may also have imprints for identification.
- Injectable Solutions – Used primarily in clinical settings, these are clear liquids administered by healthcare professionals.
“Street” benzos may often look similar or the exact same as medically prescribed benzos. However, often they are counterfeit, meaning they may contain unknown and potentially dangerous substances.
How Do People Take Benzodiazepines?
When taken as medically directed and with a prescription from a doctor or medical professional, benzodiazepines are often taken orally in tablet or capsule form as listed above.
However, when taken illicitly, users may seek alternative methods for taking the drug such as:
- Snorting – Users may crush the tablets and snort them in order to speed up the absorption of the drug and intensify its effects.
- Injecting – While not as common, benzodiazepine pills can be dissolved in liquid for the purpose of injecting the drug. Injection can be incredibly dangerous and come with additional, unique risks such as HIV as a result of sharing needles.
- Combining with Other Substances – While users may combine taking benzos with other substances of abuse such as alcohol, purchasing benzos on the street comes with the additional risk of the drug not being “pure”. Street drugs are often cut with other substances, increasing the risk of an overdose.
What Are the Types of Benzodiazepines?
Benzos are typically categorized in one of three categories: short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. Examples of each include:
