Benzodiazepine (BZD) Dependency
It is more difficult to withdraw people from benzodiazepines than it is from heroin.
Professor Malcom Lader
The Condition:
- A class of drugs used to slow the brain activity through the use of a sedative or tranquilizer.
- Designed to treat symptoms of anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, muscle tension, and seizures.
- Usually prescribed for short-term relief over a few weeks to a few months.
- Short-Term side effects include drowsiness, mental confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, etc.
- Long-Term side effects when combined with opioids increases the change of fatal overdose.
References
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/benzodiazepine-abuse#1
- http://www.benzo-case-japan.com/index-english.php
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/mental-physical-effects
- https://fherehab.com/benzo/statistics#:~:text=National%20Statistics%20on%20Use&text=12.5%25%20of%20adults%20in%20the,having%20a%20benzodiazepine%20use%20disorder
- https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
- https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2019/november/the-evolution-of-designer-benzodiazepines
- https://www.newscientist.com/article/2230379-benzodiazepine-prescriptions-reach-disturbing-levels-in-the-us/
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/ioad-benzo-overdose.html#:~:text=Benzodiazepines%20were%20involved%20in%20nearly,Q2%202019%20to%20Q2%202020.
- https://mphdegree.usc.edu/blog/the-next-u-s-drug-epidemic-as-of-2019/
- https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/benzodiazepines-it-s-time-to-prescribe-caution
- https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/benzodiazepines-market/
- https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/injectable-benzodiazepine-market