What Are Benzodiazepines?
Siobhan Morse, Executive Director of The National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies discusses benzodiazepines and why they are abused.
What are Benzodiazepines?
A benzodiazepine, also called a “benzo,” is a drug in a class of drugs known as central nervous system depressants or sedative hypnotics.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
They affect the central nervous system by introducing chemicals into the brain that enhance the production of GABA. GABA is the neurotransmitter that naturally inhibits or slows down brain transmission.
This causes the processes of the brain responsible for alertness, coordination and memory functions to become impaired.
Benzodiazepines have a sedative or relaxed and calming effect. They are commonly prescribed for the relief of anxiety or insomnia. Benzodiazepines are often abused and are highly addictive.
Common benzodiazepines
Here are some of the common tranquilizers and sleeping pills: Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Restoril, Rohypnol, Dalmane, Ambien, and Lunesta.
Some of the more common generic names of benzodiazepines include: diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, colnazopam, temazepam, and flurazepam.
Why are benzodiazepines abused?
The abuse of benzodiazepines is partially related to the tranquil effects that they produce and also to their widespread availability. Their chronic abuse is commonly seen in hospital emergency departments where overdose cases are treated whether intentional or accidental. Death and serious illness can result from benzodiazepine abuse, especially when combined with alcohol and other medications.
What are the causes of benzodiazepine abuse?
Although some people may have a genetic tendency to become addicted to drugs, there is little doubt that environmental factors also play a significant role.
Some of the more common environmental influences are low socioeconomic status, unemployment, peer pressure, and chronic stress.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
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