Benzodiazepine Abuse

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Benzodiazepines (ben-zo-die-AH-zuh-peens) belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. These medicines slow down the nervous system in your body. Benzodiazepines may be given to decrease nervousness or vomiting, decrease tremors or seizures, and for many other medical reasons. Certain signs, behaviors, and problems while using this medicine may mean that you have a problem with benzodiazepine abuse. Drug abuse can lead to the loss of your family, friends, job and it may even kill you. If you use benzodiazepines every day, or two or three times a day for weeks or months, you may become dependent on the medicine. When you decrease use of, or stop using the drug, you may have withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, or seizures. Taking too much of a benzodiazepine causes unpleasant symptoms such as trouble walking, and may even kill you. Tell caregivers the truth about your drug use. Doing this will help caregivers put together the best treatment plan for you.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

How do I know if I am abusing a benzodiazepine?

• Benzodiazepines are generally safe if you take them exactly as your caregiver has told you to, and you do not use other medicines or substances at the same time. One or more of the following situations within a one-year period may mean that you are abusing a benzodiazepine:
  
  
  • Does your use of this medicine stop you from doing your regular work, home, or school duties? Do you miss work or school, or get there late? Is your performance at these activities dropping or poor? Do you neglect your home or children?
    
    
  • Do you use this medicine when it is dangerous to use it? Do you drive a car or operate a machine when you are high or sleepy after using this medicine?
    
    
  • Do you have legal problems because of your use of this medicine? Do you get traffic tickets, have vehicle accidents, or have arguments with people that may end with the police being called?
    
    
  • Do you keep using this medicine even when you argue with your family and friends about your use?
  
  
• Benzodiazepines should never be taken with certain other medicines or substances. Benzodiazepines taken at the same time as alcohol (wine, beer, mixed drinks, liquor), methadone, LSD, marijuana, or cocaine may kill you.

What can I do to stop abusing benzodiazepines?

• Talk to your caregiver. If you take benzodiazepines on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking them. Your caregiver should help you by giving you a schedule to follow which will lower the dose or the number of times a day you use the medicine. Your caregiver may keep you on the same benzodiazepine or change your medicine. You may be treated as an inpatient in a hospital or as an outpatient, at home.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver exactly how much benzodiazepine medicine you are using. Your caregiver needs to know if you are using any other medicines, drinking alcohol, or taking illegal (street) drugs or substances. If you are using other substances while using benzodiazepines, caregivers need to know how much, and how often you are using them. Tell caregivers the truth about your drug use. Doing this will help caregivers put together the best treatment plan for you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are having an opposite reaction to your benzodiazepine:
  
  
  • You are more nervous or anxious than before you took the medicine.
    
    
  • You become irritable or unhappy for no reason.
    
    
  • You anger quickly and yell or even hit people for no reason.
    
    
  • You become very unfriendly.
    
    
  • You do things without thinking them through.
  
  
• You are worried about your benzodiazepine use, or the use of this medicine by someone you know.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your speech is slurred.
  
  
• You are too weak to stand up.
  
  
• You have eye movements that you cannot control.
  
  
• You have a seizure.
  
  
• You feel like hurting or killing yourself, or someone else.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Benzodiazepine Abuse (Discharge Care)