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Statistics On Benzodiazepine Use And Misuse

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The primary purpose of Benzodiazepines is to treat anxiety, alleviate insomnia, alcohol withdrawals, and soothe certain emotional episodes. All Benzodiazepines require a prescription, but the illegal market is enormous. People that are addicted to Benzodiazepines often refer to them as Benzos. The most common Benzodiazepines are Xanax, Ativan, Valium and Klonopin. They are a central nervous system depressant type, and occasionally doctors rely on them to treat muscle pain and spasms or vertigo. Addiction to Benzodiazepines happens quickly as this drug decreases in effectiveness within weeks of regular use. This is known as drug tolerance, and it means a person will need to up their dose to feel the effects. Statistics On Benzodiazepine Use And Misuse

More About Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration collects statistics about legal and illegal drugs. They found a strong correlation between Benzodiazepine drug use and prescription opioids. It also notes that Benzodiazepines detox in South Florida are most often misused without a prescription, and friends and family were the most common sources for obtaining the Benzodiazepine. Additionally, the statistics found that Benzodiazepines are used as sleep aids by adults over 50 than younger adults. Younger adults misuse Benzodiazepines more routinely with other drugs and alcohol.

What is The Most Abused Benzodiazepine?

By far, the most abused Benzodiazepine is Xanax. It is a popular Benzodiazepine to mix with other drugs, especially by younger crowds. In different scenarios, Xanax is prescribed by a medical doctor for insomnia, anxiety, panic disorder, nerve, and muscle pain. Like other Benzodiazepines, Xanax causes addiction fast. The pharmaceutical name for Xanax is alprazolam, and the most sought-after dose of Xanax by drug users is the Xanax bar which is 2mg of alprazolam. The nickname ‘zany,’ ‘bars,’ and ‘bricks’ reference Xanax bars.

Alprazolam is one of the most widely prescribed Benzodiazepines for treating generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Still, many primary care physicians continue to prescribe it for longer periods than recommended. Clinical research data has not fully shed light on its “abuse liability,” yet it is one of the most frequently prescribed Benzodiazepines. (NIH)

What Are the Specifics of the NSDUH on Benzodiazepine?

The 2020 report states the percentages of Benzodiazepine use and misuse:

Prescription Benzodiazepines are a subcategory of drugs that may be prescribed either as tranquilizers for the relief of anxiety or as sedatives for the relief of insomnia. Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 1.7 percent (or 4.8 million people) misused prescription Benzodiazepine in the past year. The percentage was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (3.3 percent or 1.1 million people), followed by adults aged 26 or older (1.6 percent or 3.5 million people), then by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (0.6 percent or 157,000 people). (NSDUH)

How is Benzodiazepine Addiction Treated?

Addiction to Benzodiazepines must be treated by an entire medical team specializing in Benzodiazepine addiction. Ending an addiction to Benzodiazepine requires extensive substance abuse counseling, evidence-based therapy, and individualized therapy methods. In the first phase of Benzodiazepine treatment, the patient is admitted into a medically supervised Benzodiazepine detox. Benzodiazepines cause seizures and critical medical conditions if they are not slowly tapered. Therefore, medical supervision is required for anyone on any type of Benzodiazepines and for any length of time.

Where to Get Admitted to Benzodiazepine Detox and Treatment Today?

Since the addiction to Benzodiazepines requires South Florida medical detoxification, Evoke Wellness at Miramar provides a seamless entry from detox into the Benzodiazepine rehab center. Most patients will remain in detox for about two weeks, and their therapy and counseling start after their first week in the detox. Then they are placed into a South Florida treatment program, and their treatment includes evidence-based therapy and one-on-one counseling, holistic therapy, and small group counseling. Access to Evoke Wellness at Miramar is One Phone Call To Be Admitted Today

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