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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Benzodiazepines treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia, but they are highly addictive. They artificially amplify your natural calming signals and force your brain to adapt to and become dependent on the medication.
Recent data shows that 2.2% of Americans who use benzos report misuse, though only 0.3% (about 739,000 people) develop full-blown addiction.
Trying to quit benzos alone can be dangerous and overwhelming, but recovery is possible with the right support. Our specialized benzodiazepine rehab center provides expert medical care to help you safely withdraw from benzo use and regain control of your life.
Benzodiazepine use disorder (or benzodiazepine dependence) starts when these medications enhance GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), your brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepines bind to and amplify these GABA receptor complexes, enhancing your brain’s natural calming signals. This artificial boost of calming effects provides anxiety relief but can also trigger two changes:
This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where psychological factors drive increasing therapeutic dosages, while your brain slowly loses its natural ability to relax. The daily dose often increases as the medication wears off, causing anxiety and restlessness that pushes you to reach for more. Over time, your brain unlearns how to balance itself without the medication.
Long-term use also changes how your brain handles emotions, forms memories, and regulates mood. A 2005 study found that “long-term treatment with benzodiazepines has been described as causing impairment in several cognitive domains, such as visuospatial ability, speed of processing, and verbal learning.” This is why quitting benzos can be so challenging and why withdrawal can be intense, even for people who’ve never taken more than their prescribed dose.
Many people use benzos, but only a small percentage develop addiction. According to a 2018 study, 4.6% of those who misused benzodiazepines met the criteria for abuse, while 6.8% met the criteria for addiction. People who misused benzos did so about 5.4 days per month.
The study also notes that most misuse was not because of developed addiction but rather for specific purposes such as to relax and relieve tension (47%) and to help with sleep (26%). Only 11.6% reported misusing benzos to “get high.”
The addictive nature of benzodiazepines requires careful monitoring by medical professionals, especially since psychological dependence can develop even when taken as prescribed. Our innovative therapies, including mindfulness-based stress reduction and psychotherapy, help you address the root causes of benzo use.
We combine traditional and holistic treatments to support your recovery and long-term well-being.
Most benzodiazepine abuse follows predictable patterns. Some people increase their prescribed dose when they feel it’s not working as well, while others might take benzos more frequently than directed or use someone else’s prescription. Young adults are particularly at risk—they obtain benzos from friends or family members who have legitimate prescriptions.
The most dangerous form of benzo misuse involves polysubstance abuse, especially in people who combine benzodiazepines with other nervous system depressants such as opioids or alcohol. A 2016 study reveals that prescription drug abuse involving benzos most often occurs alongside other substances, with over 90% of benzo-related emergencies involving these dangerous drug combinations. This pattern of substance abuse significantly increases the risk of overdose and can have life-threatening consequences.
While these medications can effectively treat anxiety disorders, doctors now limit prescriptions to 2–4 weeks since long-term use increases dependence risk. People with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health disorders are particularly vulnerable to developing problematic patterns.
If you’re prescribed benzodiazepines, follow these guidelines to minimize risk:
Severe withdrawal symptoms and high relapse risk make unsupervised benzo detox dangerous—even life-threatening.
At Ardu’s medical detox center, our experienced healthcare team provides 24/7 monitoring and support to help you safely withdraw from benzos under careful medical supervision.
Short-acting benzodiazepines stay in your system for only a few hours and hit your brain quickly, creating a more intense but shorter-lasting effect. These fast-acting medications cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than longer-acting benzos.
The most addictive short-acting benzodiazepines include:
Rapid onset and quick clearance from your system create a problematic cycle: you experience intense relief followed by equally intense rebound symptoms when the medication wears off. This “high-low” pattern makes short-acting benzos more likely to trigger compulsive use than longer-acting alternatives such as Valium or Klonopin, which provide more stable long-term effects.
Research indicates that medications with higher lipophilicity (ability to cross the blood-brain barrier) and shorter half-lives show greater dependence potential. Short-acting benzos pose a greater risk of addiction because they’re highly potent and wear off quickly, triggering a cycle of repeated use. Xanax is particularly concerning because it’s also the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine.
Struggling with Xanax addiction can be overwhelming and isolating, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our Xanax rehabilitation services provide expert medical supervision to help you safely withdraw while addressing the physical and psychological symptoms of dependence. Our medical team provides safe, personalized Xanax detox to help you break free from addiction and start healing.
Long-acting benzodiazepines tend to be less addictive because they stay in your system longer and have a gentler onset of action. They remain in your system longer and have gentler anxiolytic properties, which reduces the potential for drug dependence. These types of benzodiazepines produce more stable therapeutic effects over time and are less likely to cause panic attacks or require larger doses between treatments.
The least addictive benzodiazepines include:
While these benzodiazepines may have lower addiction potential, they still require careful monitoring by healthcare professionals to prevent physical dependence.
Benzodiazepine addiction reveals itself through a combination of physical and behavioral changes. If you notice several of these signs in yourself or someone else, it may indicate that prescribed use has developed into dependence:
The physical symptoms of benzo addiction include:
A person abusing or addicted to benzodiazepines may exhibit:
If you recognize these patterns, our medical team at Ardu can help you safely address benzodiazepine dependence. Reach out to our addiction specialists.
When taken alone, benzodiazepines rarely cause severe overdose. The typical signs of benzodiazepine overdose include mental confusion, slurred speech, and poor coordination, but vital signs usually remain stable. The overdose risk increases when you combine benzos with alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives.
Kang, et. al. explain that the most dangerous complication is respiratory depression, where your breathing slows down or comes to a stop. It occurs mainly when benzos are consumed in large oral doses or combined with other depressant drugs.
There is a benzo antidote called flumazenil available for overdose, but, according to a 2017 study, it’s rarely used because it can cause dangerous complications, especially in people who regularly use benzos.
Breaking free from benzodiazepine dependence requires professional help. At Ardu Recovery Center, we understand the complexities of benzo addiction and provide comprehensive treatment through our specialized programs.
Our medical team provides a safe, supervised detox process through carefully managed dose reduction to prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms. During detox, you receive:
Once stabilized through detox, our comprehensive rehab program includes:
Our integrated approach includes personalized care that addresses benzo dependence and the underlying mental health challenges that may have contributed to your addiction. Treatment plans are tailored to your needs and recovery goals.
Whether starting your journey or transitioning from detox, Ardu provides the tools to overcome benzo addiction and reclaim your life. Reach out to us today to learn more about our personalized treatment options, and let us help you build a brighter tomorrow.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Benzodiazepines primarily affect GABA receptors, but they can indirectly influence dopamine levels through their interaction with the brain’s reward system. While they don’t directly block dopamine, long-term benzodiazepine use can alter dopaminergic pathways, potentially affecting mood regulation and pleasure responses.
This is why abrupt discontinuation of benzos can lead to withdrawal symptoms; the brain needs time to readjust its natural chemical balance. Chronic benzodiazepine use may actually increase dopamine activity in certain brain regions, which partially explains their addictive properties.
Standard drug tests can detect most prescribed benzodiazepines including Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin. Some newer benzos such as Ambien may not show up on basic screenings. The detection window varies based on the type of benzodiazepine, dosage, and individual metabolism, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks.
Some medications can trigger false positives, including certain antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs. For accurate results, always disclose prescribed medications to the testing facility.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is the most potent benzodiazepine in therapeutic doses because of its high binding affinity for GABA receptors and rapid absorption rate. Comparing “strength” is complex since different benzos are prescribed for different purposes.
While clonazepam and lorazepam are also highly potent, the real concern isn’t just potency but the risk of dependence and adverse effects. Higher potency often increases the risk of addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are the fastest-acting benzodiazepines, typically taking effect within 15–30 minutes when taken orally. Their quick onset makes them effective for acute anxiety but also increases their potential for abuse. Valium also acts relatively quickly but has a longer duration.
The speed of action depends on dosage, individual metabolism, and whether taken with food. While fast-acting benzos provide rapid relief, they also tend to wear off quicker and carry a high risk of rebound anxiety.
Benzodiazepines primarily target the central nervous system but affect multiple organs throughout the body. They impact the brain by enhancing GABA activity, influencing mood, memory, and coordination. The respiratory system is significantly affected, potentially slowing breathing rates, especially when combined with other depressants.
Benzos also affect the digestive system, changing appetite and gastrointestinal function. Long-term use can impact liver function since benzos are metabolized there, and may affect blood pressure and heart rhythm through their calming effects on the cardiovascular system.
Benzodiazepines can cause constipation by slowing down the digestive system’s natural muscle contractions. They affect the gut’s GABA receptors, which can reduce intestinal motility and lead to irregular bowel movements. This side effect tends to be more common with long-term use or higher doses.
While not everyone experiences this problem, practice good hydration, regular exercise, and a fiber-rich diet while taking benzos. The effect usually improves once the medication is properly tapered, though it may take time for normal bowel function to return.
Benzodiazepine tolerance can be reversed, but it takes time and medical management. The brain needs weeks to months to reset its GABA system after developing tolerance. The recovery timeline varies based on several factors including length of use, dosage, and individual physiology.
Some people may return to normal sensitivity within a few months after proper tapering, but others might experience protracted withdrawal symptoms. Attempting to reset tolerance by stopping benzos abruptly is dangerous and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines and opioids are completely different classes of drugs that work through different mechanisms in the brain. While opioids bind to opioid receptors to block pain, benzos enhance GABA activity to produce calming effects. Both can be addictive and cause dangerous respiratory depression when combined. This is why prescribing benzos with opioids requires extreme caution. While both drug classes can be used for a wide range of therapeutic effects, they require careful medical supervision due to their distinct but serious risks.
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Maust, D. T., Lin, L. A., & Blow, F. C. (2018). Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 70(2), 97. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201800321
Schmitz, A. (2016). Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse: A review. The Mental Health Clinician, 6(3), 120. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2016.05.120
Junkes, L., Mendlowicz, M. V., Shader, R., & Nardi, A. E. (2024). Leo Sternbach and the benzodiazepines 60 years on: A revolutionary treatment for anxiety disorders. Pharmacological Research, 207, 107310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107310
Edinoff, A. N., Nix, C. A., Hollier, J., Sagrera, C. E., Delacroix, B. M., Abubakar, T., Cornett, E. M., Kaye, A. M., & Kaye, A. D. (2021). Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations. Neurology International, 13(4), 594-607. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint13040059
Kang, M., Galuska, M. A., & Ghassemzadeh, S. (2023, June 26). Benzodiazepine toxicity. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/
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