Information on Benzodiazepines detox in Canada

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These types of drugs are psychoactive and also carry a very strong sedative, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, amnesic, and muscle relaxant properties.  These drugs are commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal.  These drugs automatically create a depressive effect on the central nervous system.  These drugs are generally safe for short term use and in very small dosages.  Long term use of these drugs is not recommended and can cause some severe health problems for the individual.  It can cause adverse physical and psychological effects, leading to a mental and physical dependency to the drug.  Along with the tolerance that is developed from using this drug for long periods of time.  Withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and can take quite a long time to completely overcome. That is why there are drug rehabs and detox centers which can take care of them.

Adverse Side Effects of Benzodiazepines

The most common side effect is that of its sedative and muscle relaxing actions.  Some of these side effects can include:

  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • lack of coordination
  • depression
  • hypotension
  • blurred vision
  • nausea
  • confusion
  • euphoria

Benzo withdrawal is a cluster of symptoms that do appear when a person stops taking these types of drugs.  This can happen with long term use and when the person stops using these drug rapidly.  Benzo withdrawal is very similar to an alcohol withdrawal and barbiturate withdrawal.  The tolerance and physical dependency is very severe and the individual can experience both physical and psychological detox symptoms.  The higher the dosage the longer the withdrawal period will last.

Stopping these drugs rapidly or without warning can cause some of these very severe withdrawals and detox symptoms to occur:

  • convulsions, which may result in death
  • coma
  • suicide
  • self harm
  • hyperthermia
  • delusions
  • homicidal ideation
  • urges to shout, throw, break things or to harm someone
  • violence
  • organic brain syndrome
  • psychosis
  • confusion
  • mania

With all those withdrawal symptoms, it will be a lot better if the addict undergoing this can be in a detox center or drug rehab to make sure nothing to bad happens.

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