The rise of benzodiazepine use across the nation is a growing concern, and it’s adversely impacting millions of individuals every year. According to recent data from Boston University, a staggering 118,208 overdose deaths involved benzodiazepines from 2000 to 2019, with 84 percent of these deaths involving an opioid. Like opioids in the past, there is a significant overprescribing culture of benzos plaguing our country. In the short-term, they can be an effective weapon in managing conditions like anxiety and insomnia, but they’re just that – meant for the short-term. Many people continue to misuse them for their intoxicating and sedating effects.
If you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine dependency, it’s understandable to feel scared and uncertain about the future. However, it’s important to know that you are not alone, and there is a path to recovery. Below, we’ll discuss the importance of benzodiazepine treatment and why benzos are not like other drugs as they can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “benzos,” are a class