When you are struggling with an anxiety disorder of any kind, you crave relief. One of the medications doctors often prescribe is benzodiazepines. These medications have a sedating effect. Currently, though, people with severe anxiety face a challenge — a worldwide benzo shortage.
The good news is that doctors have other medications to help people with anxiety, and talk therapy is useful as well. However, benzos are often their first choice, so having a benzo shortage is not ideal.
The flip side is that benzos can lead to benzo abuse and benzo addiction, leading people to seek treatment. If this fits your situation, consider contacting Fresh Start Recovery Center for help at 833.625.0398.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs known commonly as tranquilizers or sedatives. They lower the central nervous system’s activity, and, when people consume them in proper quantities, benzos help provide pleasant calming effects.
But those effects are partly what makes them dangerous and subject to benzo abuse. People start chasing the sedative effect. But benzos are habit-forming, so it’s easy to fall into a situation of benzo addiction.
The current benzo shortage creates difficulties in providing the drug to people who need it when they need it. Some of the benzos that doctors most commonly prescribe include:
- Xanax
- Valium
- Librium
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Halcion
Dangers of the Current Benzo Shortage
For a year or more, benzodiazepines have been in short supply. This benzo shortage became especially concerning during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Many factors drive the benzo shortage, not the least of the current structure of the pharmaceutical industry’s economics. Certain drugs are not as profitable as others, giving manufacturers less incentive to make them. The increase in the number of generics has also contributed to the benzo shortage.
One of the main dangers of the benzo shortage is the prospect that it might drive patients to seek relief from drugs available on the street. The benzo shortage puts more significant pressure on the availability of therapy. Yet, even with the benzo shortage, benzo abuse and benzo addiction remain a severe problem.
Symptoms of Benzo Abuse
Benzodiazepines most commonly help treat people with anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder. However, they can also help patients with insomnia and seizures. Some people also use it as a muscle relaxant or even to support someone through alcohol rehab. The recent benzo shortage has made it difficult for doctors and pharmacists to get the pills to the people who truly need them.
How do you recognize whether someone is struggling with benzo abuse? There are several warning signs, including:
- Marked drowsiness
- Asking friends and family to “borrow” pills
- Shopping around for doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions
- All-over body weakness
- Extreme mood changes
- Poor judgment or decision making, such as driving under the influence
One of these symptoms alone doesn’t necessarily point to an addiction. If several symptoms appear, it might be a good time to talk to Fresh Start Recovery Center or another treatment facility closer to home.
Recover from Benzo Addiction with Fresh Start Recovery Center
Benzodiazepines provide relief to individuals suffering from extreme anxiety. Being in a benzo shortage is challenging for doctors and patients alike. Still, benzos are addicting, and as such, benzo abuse is a real concern. At Fresh Start Recovery Center, we provide treatment for benzo abuse, as well as other types of addicting substances, including alcohol. The doctors and therapeutic professionals at Fresh Start Recovery Center practice evidence-based care and apply the principles to your individual situation. We offer a range of treatment options, including:
- Women’s addiction treatment
- Men’s addiction treatment
- Partial hospitalization treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
Fresh Start Recovery focuses on restoring you to a life filled with hope and promise. Take the first step down from benzo addiction today. Contact Fresh Start Recovery Center today at 833.625.0398 to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.
