Would you know what to do if someone you loved was experiencing a benzodiazepine-related overdose?
In 2021, nearly 20% of all overdose deaths in West Virginia were because of benzodiazepines. You should never assume that someone you love will sleep off any overdose, as it could result in their death. However, by understanding what you should do if someone is experiencing one, you can help save their life.
Hope for Tomorrow provides treatment for people of all backgrounds with various substance use disorders, including benzodiazepine use disorder. Many who come to us seeking treatment come to us following an overdose. Today, we are going to discuss what signs might indicate a benzo overdose and what you should do in the event one happens to someone you love.
If you take too much of a substance in one sitting, including benzodiazepines, it may result in an overdose. Benzos are commonly prescribed by doctors to treat seizures, anxiety, and insomnia. You’ve likely heard of some of its brand names, including Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. When taken as prescribed, someone will rarely experience an overdose.
With that said, it is possible to take benzodiazepines illicitly. Many people who illicitly take the substance will take more than the recommended dose, which can result in them experiencing an overdose. If you or someone you know has experienced a benzo overdose it does not necessarily mean that you have a benzo use disorder. However, it could be a potential sign of one, especially if other benzo use disorder signs are present.
Typically, if you are starting to experience a benzodiazepine overdose, you might not know it. The signs occur when you are still conscious and seem similar to other benzo side effects. It is possible you will have similar symptoms to when you are intoxicated by alcohol or have slurred speech. For the most part, you will have normal vital signs, though sometimes you might begin to have a slowed respiratory rate. It is also possible that your reaction time and reflexes will start to slow down in these early stages.
Benzodiazepine overdoses rarely occur on their own, as most of the time, it happens because it was mixed with another substance. This practice is very unpredictable as it might mask the effects of an overdose or result in life-threatening circumstances.
When looking for the signs of an overdose, you are more likely to notice the psychological signs than the physical ones. The person might not know who is with them or where they are. They could also be at risk of hurting others or themselves.
Common symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose include:
While it is rare to experience a benzo overdose on its own, if you do experience one, it is not usually life-threatening. Typically, a benzodiazepine overdose will occur as a result of it being taken with another substance, such as opioids or cocaine. This can become dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of combining multiple substances.
During a benzodiazepine overdose, your body will have a challenging time breathing and regulating your temperature and emotions. Benzodiazepines slow down your body’s systems and an overdose may slow or stop your breathing. This leads to your brain and other organs not receiving oxygen, which could lead to damage or organ failure. This becomes life-threatening, and medical attention is needed immediately.
If the substance you take masks the symptoms, like taking cocaine would, you might not realize you are experiencing early symptoms of an overdose. This can result in you continuing to take one or both substances, increasing your risk of experiencing an overdose.
A benzodiazepine overdose does not occur for every person who takes the substances. Still, some risk factors make it more likely to happen. One of the most common risk factors for experiencing a benzo overdose is polysubstance use, which is when you consume more than one substance at a time. As mentioned throughout this piece, this is unpredictable and may cause adverse effects.
You can also be at an increased risk of experiencing a benzodiazepine overdose if you have a mental health condition like anxiety. Benzos are often prescribed to treat anxiety, but if someone takes too many of them at one time, it results in increased anxiety, mood swings, and potential overdose.
It can also occur if you have previously recovered from a benzodiazepine use disorder and then returned to use. After attending treatment, you will no longer have the tolerance levels you had before treatment. When many people return to use, they return to taking the same dose they had before, which increases the chance they experience an overdose.
Despite a benzodiazepine overdose not always being life-threatening, it is still better to be safe and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Remaining calm and calling 911 is the first step you should take if you suspect someone is experiencing any type of overdose, including benzodiazepine. Stay with the person until the paramedics arrive on the scene. Do not let them try to leave because they may not have proper coordination, which could result in them falling and injuring themselves.
If the person loses consciousness, lay them down on their side, known as the recovery position. This will keep them from choking. Vomiting is a person’s body’s way of trying to remove the substances, but if they are unconscious, choking is possible. When the paramedics arrive, be honest with them and answer all questions to the best of your ability. This helps them know how to best treat the person experiencing the overdose.
Do not be afraid to seek help for someone experiencing a benzo overdose. In West Virginia, the Good Samaritan Law protects you and the person from potential charges if you call for medical assistance regarding an overdose.
The best way to prevent a benzodiazepine overdose from happening is to stop taking the substance. For those with a benzodiazepine use disorder, that may feel impossible. Benzo withdrawal symptoms make it difficult to leave the substance behind. If you relate to that experience, you don’t have to find recovery on your own.
While attending benzo addiction treatment, you will be introduced to highly passionate staff members who will provide you support throughout your recovery journey. They will guide you through learning the skills that will prevent a return to use and potential future overdoses. You are able to return to treatment for any reason, even if you have previously attended.
Hope for Tomorrow is an addiction recovery center located in West Virginia. We offer dual-diagnosis treatment, which is used to treat co-occurring disorders like benzodiazepine use disorder and anxiety. No matter your past or present, you are welcome at our facility. If you are ready to begin your benzodiazepine use disorder recovery, we are here to help you. Give us a call at 877-679-8162 to get started.
Treatment today for a brighter tomorrow.
Are there any medications that can reverse benzo overdose?
To the public, there are no medications that reverse a benzo overdose. This is why seeking medical attention for someone experiencing one is essential. Medical staff have access to medications to reverse the effects of the overdose. Even if your loved one believes they are fine, it is still necessary to remain safe and get them to the emergency room to have their overdose reversed by medical professionals.