Benzodiazepines or benzos are in high demand and widely prescribed medications. Benzos are referred to as minor tranquilizers that slow down the brain activity in the central nervous system. Benzos are primarily used to treat insomnia, seizures, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. If a person battles with a particular mental illness like a tic or bipolar disorder, benzos are prescribed. As a result, the messages or signals are not as quickly received. What about parents and children addicted to benzos? Children are likely to form addictions at a young age, especially if their mother or father is under the influence; therefore, it is vital to learn the signs of a benzo addiction in your child to avoid long-term health effects. 

Signs of Benzo Addiction 

Benzo addiction may appear differently for everyone, but overall symptoms can be checked off a list. If a child is forming an addiction to benzos, then their behavior will shift, and they will tend to be more aggressive or defensive. Children will often lie or ask for money or observe where you keep your prescription to take it away and consume it. Mood changes or an increase in sleeping will happen, showing that your child may be addicted to benzos. Blurred vision, drowsiness, or having trouble breathing are common signs of benzo abuse. Other benzo addiction symptoms include: 

• Lying
• Headaches
• Physical weakness
• Emotional malfunction
• Inability to concentrate 
• A decline in mental health 
• Never wanting to be home 
• Taking medicine in larger doses than prescribed
• Failure to meet expectations at home or at school

Signs and symptoms of someone addicted to benzos depend on the person, the amount used, and the duration of time the drug is used. A person should seek treatment and start a benzodiazepine detox as soon as possible to avoid long-term health problems, especially for children who have their whole lives ahead of them.

Babies Born Addicted to Drugs

When a baby is born addicted to drugs, the medical term is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The reason for the addiction is due to the mother using drugs throughout the pregnancy. Sadly, when the baby is born, withdrawal symptoms are experienced as if they were taking the drugs themselves. Since the drug is no longer supplied by the mother, the newborn enters the withdrawal process right after birth. In addition, children of addicts deal with mood swings and negative side effects that follow substance abuse. At an impressionable age, it is likely that a child will look at their parents’ behavior and grow curious as to what is making them act differently. When a child first begins taking benzos, the after-effects can seem calming and helpful until symptoms begin to cause a child to spiral. A benzo addict will need help and support to see that they have a problem, to help the children avoid dependency. Many parents have to live with guilt because their child got a hold of their prescription and became addicted to benzos.

Addiction Treatment at Evoke Wellness at Miramar

If you or a loved one is struggling with a benzo addiction or other forms of substance abuse and need a heroin detox, alcohol detox, or other treatment, then our medical staff has you covered! Evoke Wellness at Miramar Treatment Center offers an excellent family program to help mend relationships in the home and give a benzo addict or someone abusing drugs a chance to regain control. Please, do not hesitate to contact a specialist at Evoke Wellness today at 833-819-6066 and ask about our residential rehab program to get started today!Related Reading: A Look at Life as An AddictWhy Is Addiction a Family Disease?