Benzodiazepines Addiction

Benzodiazepine is the term usually given to prescription drugs which have tranquilisers and are misused. Valium (the trade name for diazepam), temazepam and Librium (commonly used to treat alcohol addiction) are just some of these drugs and you might be prescribed them by your doctor for a number of ailments such as anxiety or insomnia. They will always be prescribed with strict advice about how they should be used because they are powerful substances. Increasingly they are available illicitly too as drug dealers come across them through people who have been prescribed them selling them, or via theft.

Commonly known as tranquilisers, these drugs are highly effective at treating what they are prescribed for: stress, anxiety, spasmodic muscle disorders and sleep problems including insomnia. Even if you have not sought of benzodiazepines for recreational use, it is possible to become reliant on them, sometimes because of the nature of the disorders which doctors prescribe them for. This is why they are usually only prescribed in small doses and/or for short periods of time.

Patients often find that they have great trouble stopping taking benzos, as they are often known. Withdrawal can lead to anxiety, insomnia, nausea, muscle spasms, restlessness, irritability and psychological problems. In light of this it is often extremely difficult to resist the temptation to procure yourself some more benzos to ease the very symptoms that have resulted from you coming off them in the first place. If you have been prescribed any of these substances, your doctor will usually initiate a time phasing out of the treatment in order to ease you away from it. Going 'cold turkey' and stopping taking it suddenly can be very difficult indeed.

Possession of such substances without a valid prescription is illegal in the United Kingdom and can be subject to a fine. Finding yourself addicted to benzodiazepines is nothing to be ashamed of and help should be sought. Contacting your doctor is a good place to start as they will be able to advise you about specialist bodies which are expert in dealing with addiction to benzodiazepines. Tackling the problem with trained professionals at your side will be much more effective than trying to do so by yourself.