Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “benzos”, are a category of substances that were designed to affect the central nervous system (CNS), often slowing down brain activity as a part of prescribed medical usage.
However, more and more commonly, benzos are being used in a recreational setting, meaning that these individuals are consuming benzos without a prescription and not for medical purposes.
This is extremely risky; benzos are some of the most addictive substances in the modern world and can require long periods of time in recovery and rehabilitation when attempting to overcome an addiction.
This page will focus on benzodiazepines as dangerous addictive substances, highlighting the dangers, suggesting how a benzo addiction may appear to others, and the best processes and places for a benzo detox in Glasgow.
Common benzodiazepines in Glasgow can be found under the following brand names: Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Normison/Restoril.
In a medically prescribe setting, these substances are known and proven to help with anxiety and panic disorders, sleep disorders (insomnia etc.), seizures, and – in some cases – alcohol withdrawal.
However, when an individual is not struggling with any of these issues, or if they are consuming benzos beyond their medical prescription, this can become an issue.
When used in the long-term or in higher quantities than suggested/prescribed, benzos can begin to become a part of the individual’s everyday functioning, leading to an addiction in many cases.
When an individual is addicted, they will continue to seek out benzos in Glasgow despite the negative longer-term effects that can occur and that the individual is often fully aware of.
In one study conducted in 2003, it was found that 47% of patients using benzodiazepines for more than a month developed a psychological dependence to this substance.
The more at-risk groups were determined to be women, those who were middle-aged, low educational background, and those who were unemployed (1).
This highlights the risk of this substance if almost half of these studied individuals developed an addiction within a relatively short period of time.
This is why it is essential that any individual who finds themselves to be addicted to benzos seeks support as soon as they are able to.
By getting help sooner rather than later, individuals give themselves a far greater chance of dealing with the effects of withdrawal, as well as learning to overcome their addiction more efficiently.
Though every single individual who struggles with a benzodiazepine addiction in Glasgow will struggle with different effects, there are some ways in which those who are close to the individual may be able to determine whether or not their loved one(s) are struggling.
Some common signs and symptoms to look out for are described below:
No matter whether an individual is consuming benzos recreationally or as a medical treatment, a detox is always recommended.
During a detox (long name – detoxification), individuals will be supported in reducing the quantity of benzos that they are consuming in Glasgow and work toward completely removing the traces of this from their body.
Although no addiction can ever be completely ‘cured’, all attempts at rehabilitation and recovery must start with a detox session to remove the harmful substances from their body as soon as possible.
Without appropriate supervision, these benzo detoxes can be extremely risky and this is why it is always recommended that individuals who find themselves to be struggling with an addiction seek help as soon as they are able to.
Through specialised health services and addiction referral services such as Rehab 4 Addiction, individuals can get access to confidential advice surrounding their specific situation and make moves toward their future rehabilitation.
As mentioned across this page, benzos are some of the most addictive and therefore dangerous substances on the planet due to the unique ways in which they can impact and affect an individual’s everyday functioning.
This is true still for the benzo detox process.
Though many studies have focussed on individuals’ use of benzos to overcome other addictions (2), the process of a benzo detox in Glasgow is still something that all individuals should be aware of.
As benzodiazepines are a physically addictive substance, this can have serious consequences when it comes to withdrawing – hence the appropriate supervision and support from health services.
If withdrawn from too quickly, the individual can risk life-threatening consequences. Vice versa, if an individual does not seek appropriate support in a suitable time frame, they still risk serious health risks and possible fatal consequences.
In most cases of a benzo detox in Glasgow, it is suggested that the individual receive some form of medical intervention in order to ease the process and potentially some discomfort.
A medical intervention is the process in which an additional substance (or substances) is brought in to support the individual’s withdrawal process.
Often, these medical intervention substances are designed to overcome the negative withdrawal symptoms that an individual may be subject to and therefore boost the individual’s experience of withdrawal.
In many cases, these medical interventions can often reduce the risk of life-threatening withdrawal effects and generally support the individual moving forward into later stages of their rehabilitation process.
As a final note, however, it is important to be aware that some of these medical interventions are also addictive substances in themselves (e.g., such as benzodiazepines being a medical intervention for many alcohol withdrawals) and therefore will require their own separate withdrawal and rehabilitation process in most cases.
Although it is possible for some individuals to undertake a home detox for benzo addictions in Glasglow, this is not generally recommended due to the risks and dangers associated with a benzo withdrawal.
During home detoxes, individuals are often expected to follow a course of treatment from their own home, but without supervision.
Due to the risks and dangers associated with a benzo detox in Glasgow, it is therefore not usually recommended that individuals who are addicted to benzos undertake a home detox, and this should never be attempted alone in any and all cases.
For most detox sessions, it is recommended that individuals attend a residential detox clinic or specialised clinic. With a residential clinic, individuals will receive 24/7 support, as well as having access to the most suitable and appropriate medical interventions for them and their needs.
The remainder of this web page will focus on some commonly asked questions in the field of benzo addictions and rehabilitation processes.
As a big city, individuals have multiple sources of support in-person, or advice over the phone. Individuals can access addiction support through the National Health Service (NHS), as well as by contacting specialist addiction referral services such as Rehab 4 Addiction.
Though the NHS does offer many services relating to addiction and rehabilitation, these services are often high in demand and tend to be more generalised forms of care than that found through private or residential treatment options.
Most prescriptions will have short time frames when including drugs such as benzos due to the risks with developing a dependence. If the individual has any doubts about their prescription, or if they feel as though they are developing an addiction, they should speak with their medical prescriber as soon as possible.
Generally, most detoxes follow the same procedures of detoxification. However, with a benzo detox, this can often take more time or be more heavily supervised and supported due to the negative effects that can arise. A benzo detox can be most similarly compared to the procedures of an alcohol detox, for example.
To learn more about benzodiazepines and how an individual can access support in Glasgow today, starting their rehabilitation journey, they can get in contact with Rehab 4 Addiction today.
Using our addiction support line on 0800 140 4690, individuals can get access to free and confidential advice for them or someone they know, so call us today to start your rehabilitation journey.
[1] de las Cuevas, C., Sanz, E. and de la Fuente, J., 2003. Benzodiazepines: more” behavioural” addiction than dependence. Psychopharmacology, 167(3), pp.297-303.
[2] Stein, M.D., Kanabar, M., Anderson, B.J., Lembke, A. and Bailey, G.L., 2016. Reasons for benzodiazepine use among persons seeking opioid detoxification. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 68, pp.57-61.
