Benzos are drugs that are prescribed to calm anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and panic attacks. Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan…you name it. These drugs can work very well for short periods of time if you’re having trouble sleeping or your anxiety is out of control. But the effects of long-term benzodiazepine use can lead to many different physical, mental, and emotional side effects.
Here at Kasa Recovery, we wanted to share with you why benzodiazepines are so dangerous when used for long periods of time. We will cover what happens to your body and mind with the long-term effects of benzos and share healthy alternatives.
How Do Benzodiazepines Work?
So, how do benzos help with anxiety? They assist by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA in your brain. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is responsible for quieting down the noisy signals in your brain. That’s why when you take a benzodiazepine, you don’t feel anxious, and you feel relaxed.
When you take benzodiazepines every day (or long term), you interrupt your brain’s natural ability to regulate itself. Your body becomes used to feeling how the drug makes you feel, and you will need that drug to feel that way. Your brain will become less effective at making its own GABA, and you will feel like you need to take the medication just to function.
Physical Effects of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
The effects of long-term benzodiazepine use can take a significant toll on physical health. Over time, the body undergoes chemical changes that can cause both visible and invisible health issues. Tolerance, one of the most common issues, occurs when the body becomes less responsive to the medication. This tolerance often leads to increased dosages, further intensifying potential harm.
Physical dependence on benzos can occur when your brain becomes dependent on the drug to keep running smoothly. Symptoms such as nausea, muscle tremors, headaches, or seizures can occur when you take less than you’re used to or stop taking benzodiazepines altogether. Constant tiredness is another physical side effect that users experience because benzodiazepines act as sedatives, which slow your body down and drain you of the energy you need to take care of your daily tasks.
Decreased respiratory function is also a major issue for long-term users of benzodiazepines, especially when mixed with opioids or alcohol. Slowed breathing can be deadly if it’s severe enough.
Brain Health Risks of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
Just like benzos damage your physical health when abused long-term, they can have catastrophic effects on your brain health as well. Memory loss is one of the most well-known side effects of long-term benzodiazepine use. Users often report having a hard time remembering certain things or feeling like they don’t normally process what’s happening around them.
Some users have even reported feeling as if they were in a constant state of brain fog.
Users who continuously take benzodiazepines have reported an overall cognitive decline in brain function, particularly in older people. Studies have even linked long-term benzodiazepine exposure to an increased risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Loss of emotions is another brain-related side effect of benzodiazepines. While they help with anxiety, they can dull your emotions as well. Many users report not feeling things they once did. You may notice yourself not caring about things that you would’ve typically had a reaction to. You might even feel as if you are incapable of feeling happiness or sadness.
Mental Health Challenges Caused by Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
Ironically, the effects of long-term benzodiazepine use can worsen the mental health conditions they are prescribed to manage. One common issue is rebound anxiety, which occurs when the drug’s effects wear off, causing anxiety levels to spike beyond their pre-treatment baseline. This can create a vicious cycle of anxiety and dependence on the medication.
Depression is another challenge associated with extended benzodiazepine use. The emotional numbing and physical lethargy caused by the drug can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and sadness. There is a fine line between therapeutic use and emotional suppression, and extended use of benzodiazepines often tips individuals into darker mental health territory.
Addiction and drug-seeking behavior also become critical concerns. When dependency develops, individuals may begin altering their behavior to ensure access to the medication, including doctor-hopping or obtaining pills through illicit means. This harmful cycle can result in greater mental health distress and an increasing strain on personal relationships.
Lifestyle and Social Impacts of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
The effects of benzos extend beyond the medical and mental spheres, infiltrating personal, professional, and social areas of life. Many individuals find their energy levels so depleted that work or educational pursuits become challenging. Chronic drowsiness and memory issues may result in missed deadlines, poor academic performance, or even job loss.
Within personal relationships, friends and loved ones may notice changes in the individual’s demeanor, such as emotional disconnection or excessive reliance on benzodiazepines to navigate daily challenges. These shifts can create tension and conflict, leading to isolation or estrangement from support networks.
Another consequence is the delay in addressing the root causes of anxiety, insomnia, or other underlying conditions. Rather than using longer-lasting therapeutic strategies like psychotherapy, individuals often rely solely on benzodiazepines, circumventing deeper and more effective healing methods.
Recovery from Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use at Kasa Recovery
Understanding the effects of long-term benzodiazepine use is the first step toward seeking help. At Kasa Recovery, we offer comprehensive, patient-focused care for benzodiazepine dependency, including a safe and effective detox process to manage withdrawal symptoms. Our therapeutic programs address the underlying causes of dependency while equipping individuals with coping techniques to reduce anxiety and regain a sense of control.
With a combination of medical detox, individualized therapy, and holistic support, Kasa Recovery provides the tools needed for a successful and lasting recovery.
Embrace Recovery from Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use at Kasa Recovery
The effects of benzos in the long term can be severe, but it’s never too late to take control of your well-being. If you or a loved one is struggling with the negative impacts of benzodiazepine use, reach out to Kasa Recovery today. Our compassionate team is here to help you create a healthier, brighter future.
