Substance addiction, also known as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic and relapsing condition characterised by compulsive drug use despite knowing its adverse health effects.
Often referred to as Lexotan or Lexilium, Bromazepam is a benzodiazepine, a category of drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant.
As a depressant, bromazepam is often used to treat mental disorders such as anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia, and others.
Its calming and relaxing effects are used to slow down the level of brain activity of patients. While legal in most countries, bromazepam and other forms of benzodiazepines are typically only available with a doctor’s prescription.
As a prescription-only medication in many countries, Bromazepam should only be used under the supervision of medical professionals.
It’s often prescribed as a short-term treatment, and many guidelines suggest that the drug should only be used for around 2-4 weeks depending on the unique patient.
Prescription medications such as bromazepam and other benzodiazepines are often perceived as “safer” than illicit substances possibly because they are attainable with a medical prescription.
However, Bromazepam has a high addiction potential, hence its use as a short-term treatment.
However, any substance that is consumed irresponsibly or in too large quantities will lead to a dependency and health complications. Using bromazepam without a prescription or by exceeding prescribed doses can lead to the development of an addiction.
While a bromazepam addiction may not look as severe as a heroin or meth addiction, it can still deteriorate your quality of life.
Additionally, combining it with the consumption of other drugs, whether alcohol or otherwise, can increase the risk of adverse health effects.
Many people turn towards drugs or alcohol – illegal or otherwise – to mask symptoms, whether it be anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so on.
Whether the person is prescribed a benzodiazepine to treat their anxiety, or they consume alcohol to temporarily relieve them of symptoms of depression, substances are often consumed as a form of medication or self-medication.
However, after extended and intense use, they develop a physical or psychological dependence on the medication or illicit substance which poses a range of health effects.
Repeated consumption of a substance, whether it be alcohol, cocaine, or bromazepam can lead to drastic changes in the brain chemistry that lead to an addiction.
If your dopamine receptors or neural pathways are repeatedly stimulated over a prolonged period of time, your brain will come to depend on these substances to release dopamine and its associated effects.
As a result, people come to yearn for these substances in their absence. This can lead to compulsive behaviour and withdrawal symptoms that affect their social life and physical or mental health.
The effects of a bromazepam addiction can range according to a number of factors, but Bromazepam addiction symptoms commonly include:
Ironically, a common symptom of a benzodiazepine or bromazepam addiction is anxiety. Although used to treat anxiety disorders, patients or recreational users may suffer from “rebound anxiety”.
This means that their brain has become accustomed to the presence of bromazepam and its effect on GABA activity. However, once the substance leaves their body, they will suffer from withdrawal symptoms in the form of anxiety.
In many cases, patients will relapse because of the discomforting withdrawal symptoms. This leads to an increased tolerance, and a cycle of consumption, withdrawal symptoms, and relapsing.
Another concern is that the longer someone is addicted to a substance, the higher intensity or quantity of substances they’ll need to take as their tolerance develops.
If they abstain but relapse, they may return to their previously high levels of consumption despite a lowered tolerance, and this can lead to severe health effects or death.
Recovery from bromazepam addiction requires a structured approach and professional medical intervention.
Due to the risks and complications when suffering from benzodiazepine withdrawal, it’s important that the recovery process is managed with a professional team rather than taken into one’s own hands independently.
The first step towards recovery is acknowledging your problem. Understanding that bromazepam is harming your health is one of the essential steps towards recovery.
It’s imperative that you seek professional support. You’ll need to receive a diagnosis from an addiction specialist or a licensed clinician to determine the severity of your dependence and an appropriate course of action.
For individuals struggling with bromazepam dependency, entering a drug and alcohol rehab can provide a safe and structured environment for detox and recovery. Prior to admission, a comprehensive pre-assessment is conducted to evaluate:
Based on the patient’s results, a tailored treatment plan is developed to determine whether they require outpatient or inpatient care.
In an inpatient setting, medical professionals monitor withdrawal symptoms closely and adjust tapering schedules accordingly. This ensures safety and minimises discomfort.
The addiction recovery process typically involves:
While it will take 1-3 days for bromazepam to leave your system entirely, withdrawal symptoms can persist for weeks or even months.
Because of this, the duration of bromazepam detox varies depending on several factors. Addiction specialists will need to take into account the following factors:
Bromazepam withdrawal symptoms (also known as Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome or BZD withdrawal) can begin within 1 – 4 days after dose reduction and may include:
However, in most cases, patients will experience withdrawal symptoms that peak within the first 1 – 2 weeks.
Some patients may even experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), where they experience side effects for months.
In severe cases where patients suffer from co-occurring disorders or engage in high dosage or polydrug use, seizures can occur.
No addiction is too big or too small for you to seek help. If you’re concerned that you’re dependent on a substance, whether a prescription drug or something illegal, reach out today to seek help.
The sooner you act, the quicker you can return to a life of independence and normalcy.
By taking action, you’ll not only overcome your substance addiction, but you’ll get to the root cause of your cause of addiction to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life.
