897,432 benzodiazepine prescriptions were filled in West Virginia in 2020. If you’re among the people who received one, you know that taking benzodiazepines (benzos for short) isn’t always straightforward and easy. While they may help you manage your symptoms of anxiety or insomnia, sometimes they come with unwanted side effects.
In some cases, taking benzos can lead to a benzodiazepine use disorder. At Hope for Tomorrow, benzodiazepine use disorder is just one of many conditions we treat. We know the impact of these medications intimately, both for people who use them illicitly and those who take them as prescribed. No matter what your relationship is with this medication, it’s helpful to know benzo side effects. We’ll cover them in this blog.
Benzodiazepines are depressants, meaning they “depress” and slow down your central nervous system. They do this by raising the production of a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation: GABA. If your nervous system is over-excited, causing anxiety or insomnia, this might help you feel calmer and sleepier.
The issue with this is that with long-term use, the brain gets used to that increase in GABA, and tries to balance it out with other neurotransmitters to bring you back to baseline. This causes you to develop a tolerance to benzos, which might require you to increase your dosage to feel the original effects.
It also often causes withdrawal symptoms when you stop the medication, and is a big reason why people develop benzodiazepine use disorders.
Benzodiazepines can impact every aspect of your mind, body, and life, especially if you have a benzodiazepine use disorder. Of course, there are side effects that anyone can feel, no matter how you take your benzos. The chart below shows several. Keep in mind that these behavioral signs are most likely to be evident in someone living with an addiction. If your loved one exhibits them, it’s worth having an honest conversation about how they’re taking their medication.
Taking benzodiazepines for a short period of time is safe and can be helpful, so long as you follow your doctor’s instructions. If you use benzodiazepines long-term, however, you might run into some complications.
If you’re on a long-term benzodiazepine prescription, it’s okay to ask your doctor some questions. There are many precautions that can be taken to help mitigate the potential for dependence and withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia, so if they’re working properly, they’ll have a calming effect. How quickly you’ll feel the impact depends on the type of benzodiazepine, but some, like Xanax, can work within 30 minutes.
Of course, there are other potential symptoms you might experience alongside the intended effects of the medication. The most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue, light-headedness, and unsteadiness. Some people might experience memory problems, decreased blood pressure, constipation, and muscle weakness.
Hallucinations, increased anxiety, restlessness, aggression, and irritability aren’t as common, but are still possible. If you experience these side effects, or if any of the side effects bother you, don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor about them.
Long-term benzo use isn’t ideal. Most of the time, your doctor won’t put you on benzodiazepines long-term, especially not consistently. You’ll usually feel their impact quickly, making them an “as-needed” medication more often than not. If you take benzodiazepines for more than a few weeks, developing these side effects is possible, even if you follow your doctor’s directions exactly:
It’s not uncommon for people who take benzos long-term to experience withdrawal. It’s important to work closely with your doctor to taper off your benzodiazepines safely. Attempting to do so by yourself will cause a harsher withdrawal, and it can be dangerous. It may be tempting to take more benzodiazepines to fight off the withdrawal symptoms instead, but that’s a slippery slope that can lead to developing a benzodiazepine use disorder.
It’s all too easy for normal benzodiazepine use to spiral into something more serious: a benzodiazepine use disorder. If you believe you have a benzo addiction, there’s no reason to be ashamed. You have a medical condition that needs treatment. Thankfully, treatment for benzo addiction is available for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Hope for Tomorrow is an addiction recovery center located in Point Pleasant and Beckley, WV. We believe treatment should be accessible to everyone – no matter who they are. That means everyone is welcome. If you’re a veteran, living with an additional health condition, pregnant, or none of the above, our passionate staff is here for you. Give us a call at 877-679-8162 to get started.
Treatment today for a brighter tomorrow.
What is the most common side effect of benzodiazepines?
The most common effects of benzos are drowsiness, fatigue, light-headedness, and lack of balance.
What is benzo belly?
Benzo belly can develop due to the gastrointestinal problems benzo withdrawal might cause, nausea, indigestion, constipation, and bloating.
