Today I will discuss the drug class named benzodiazepines aka benzos and their potential for addiction.
The very first benzo invented was chlordiazepoxide aka Librium. It was inveted in 1955 by Leo Stembach while he was employed at Hoffman La Roche.
Benzos are often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures and various other things. They are commonly prescribed for alcohol withdrawal.
I have personally used librium for alcohol withdrawal. Valium is the alternative to Librium for alcohol withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines have a potential for abuse. One reason for this is that they have a very strong euphoric effect. It kind of gives the person a sense of belonging. Therefore there is however the risk of benzodiazepine addiction.
For insomnia usually tempazepam is prescribed to help one sleep.
Here is a list of benzodiazepines.
Librium, chlordiazepoxide
Lexotan, bromazepam
Tranxene, clorazepate
Rohypnol, flunitrazepam
ProSom, estazolam
Dalmane, flurazepam
Paxipam, halazepam
Dormonoct, loprazolam
Ativan, lorazepam
Versed (Hypnovel, Dormicum), midazolam
Mogadon, nitrazepam
Serax, oxazepam
Doral, quazepam: Restoril, temazepam
Halcion, triazolam Valium, diazepam
Klonopin, clonazepam
Xanax, alprazolam
I think that benzos may be over prescribed especially in the early days when all one had to do to get a prescription was to tell the doctor that you had some anxiety going on.
That was one of my things getting scripts from the doctor I liked to drink and do benzos. I am pretty sure a lot of you do also but be advised it is a very dangerous combination.
If you think that you may have a benzodiazepine addiction then you should seek help.
Let’s say you are taking them for anxiety maybe you could go to counseling to get to the bottom of what is causing the anxiety.
In any case if you wish to stop using benzodiazepines the first thing you will have to do is make a plan on how to do so.
I think it would be a good idea to inform the doctor who prescribed the medication that you intended to stop using benzos.
If you happen to get your drugs elsewhere you can use the same plan. OK next you will probably want to start to wean yourself off of what ever drug you happen to be taking.
Maybe start by taking a half of a pill less each day this way you should not suffer any withdrawal. This is probably the best way I can suggest to you on how to stop using benzos.