Benzodiazepine Awareness Day

Benzodiazepine—often simply called benzos—is a sedative medication, but it’s become increasingly more common to abuse. It’s easy to become addicted to, although not as many people are as informed as they should be about it. That led to the creation of Benzodiazepine Awareness Day.

The event, which takes place every year, focuses on informing the general public about benzos, how they can be abused, and how to spot the various signs of an addiction. That doesn’t mean everyone who uses these drugs is an addict, however.

Reasons for Benzodiazepine Prescriptions

They are prescribed for various reasons, including:

• When someone has an anxiety or panic disorder
• People who have difficulty sleeping, prone to sleep disruptions, or Alzheimer’s related restlessness

As effective as these can be to treat various conditions, they can often be abused, especially when used for longer than four weeks. In many cases, the signs and symptoms of this addiction can be difficult to spot, which is where Benzodiazepine Awareness Day comes in.

If you’re worried about you or a loved one suffering from a benzodiazepine addiction, read further for more resources and history related to this condition.

What Is Benzodiazepine Awareness Day?

So, what actually is Benzodiazepine Awareness Day? A worldwide event taking place every July 11, raising awareness toward the dangers of benzodiazepine abuse. While the drug can often be prescribed for specific purposes, it can become a problem if abused beyond its intended use.

Benzodiazepine Awareness Day aims to help people identify the signs of dependency in themselves or their loved ones. Additionally, more people have more resources to spot the signs and symptoms of abuse.

The day itself also looks to highlight specific facts about benzodiazepine dependence, such as:

1. Benzos are most commonly abused when self-medicating. Often, patients take the drug for extended periods or higher dosages.
2. Medical complications can be common in the elderly when they use or abuse benzodiazepine. Due to the depressive effects and physical dangers of the drug, elderly patients are more susceptible to increased drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and organ failure.
3. It’s not only a physical dependency, but also a psychological one. Addicts usually believe they need the drug to continue functioning, which isn’t the case.
4. Due to its euphoric effects, abusers are more likely to become chemically dependent.

Why is it important?

Now that we’re clear on what Benzodiazepine Awareness Day is, you may be wondering why it’s important to have a day that focuses on drug addiction. The most important part of Benzodiazepine Awareness Day is communicating exactly how people can become addicted to the drug. Secondly, the event emphasizes how it can wreak havoc on the lives of many.

As specialists in helping people overcome drug addiction, we want people to gain an understanding of the potential for abuse of the drug, as well as how it can be identified. By doing so, you can determine whether you or a loved one need help with their dependency issues.

We don’t want to just take a reactive approach to this; we want to be proactive. By informing the general public about the potential for dependency and addiction to benzos, we can help them avoid engaging in substance abuse. 

On that note, increasing awareness can help people spot the signs of benzodiazepine addiction. There can be quite a few signs of this dependency, including:

• Memory impairment
• Drug-seeking behaviors
• Muscle weakness
• Headaches
• More of a desire to be left alone
• Inability to meet responsibilities, both in and outside of work
• Pupil dilation
• And more. 

If you’ve noticed these in yourself or a loved one, then it could be time to seek help. Finding help can be a confusing process, however, and you might not know what to do.

Thankfully, it can be much easier—as long as you’re ready to take action. At Jackson House, we’re here to make it as feasible as possible for you and your loved ones.

What to Do If You Need Help With An Addiction

Jackson House specializes in helping people just like you. Our trained professionals focus on giving you the care you need. Even if there's an underlying condition that you are treating with benzos, we can still help.

We’re here to assist you in overcoming your addiction in a safe and comfortable environment. We understand that reaching out for help can seem overwhelming. Our staff accepts phone call inquiries and will be quick to help you in any way that they can.

Once you’ve gotten in touch, the next step is to set up an assessment to help us determine your specific circumstances and needs. It’s a win-win. We’ll get to know you better, and you will have the chance to get more comfortable with us.

After the assessment, you’ll be given a personalized treatment plan. Courtesy of Jackson House, you’ll receive the best resources for combating your addiction. With Benzodiazepine Awareness Day coming up, there is no time like the present to get the help you need.

Give us a call to get on the path to a better life.