The world is a busy place and let’s face it, since the pandemic, things have only gotten busier. Keeping up with professional obligations, trying to raise families, and still managing activities like working out and reading have become almost impossible to handle. All these stresses can make it harder to sleep and increase anxiety, leaving you wondering where to turn.
No one takes medication in the hopes of becoming dependent, let alone experiencing an overdose. So when your doctor prescribes a benzodiazepine, you aren’t worried. Many of your colleagues take Valium to sleep, so you are well aware of what they do.
You are not alone in your thinking. In fact, over 501,000 prescriptions for benzodiazepines were dispensed in 2023 here in Pinellas County. That is more than half of the population of the whole county. When taken as prescribed, benzos rarely cause problems. But what happens when taken illicitly – what happens during a benzo overdose?
Tranquil Shores is a leading provider of substance use disorder treatment, and our blog serves as a free resource for loved ones wanting to learn more about substances. Today, we are discussing what a benzo overdose is and what to do if it happens.
Benzodiazepine Overdose Defined
An overdose occurs anytime too much of a substance is taken at once. Benzodiazepines are a class of depressant prescription medications that slow the central nervous system. Commonly, benzos are prescribed to treat anxiety, seizure disorders, and occasionally insomnia. Ones you may have heard of include Xanax, Ativan, and Valium. Though uncommon on their own, it is possible to overdose on benzos. This happens from taking too much of the substance at one time, which can happen from taking too many too quickly.
It is rare to experience an overdose when taking benzodiazepines as prescribed. Doctors are well aware of dependence risks and prescribe medications accordingly. However, many take benzos illicitly, without a doctor’s order. This increases the risk of an overdose as the person takes how much they want when they want to.
Early Warning Signs of a Potential Benzo Overdose
The problem with a benzo overdose is that some of the early signs occur when the person is conscious. They may slur their speech and mimic being intoxicated by alcohol. Despite the central nervous system being depressed, they may present with normal vital signs. The person may have slowed reactions and reflexes in the early stages, serving as a warning sign that a potential benzo overdose is occurring.
Benzodiazepine Overdose Signs and Symptoms to Know
It is important to note that a benzodiazepine overdose rarely occurs on its own – it is often in conjunction with other substances. These include mixing benzos with alcohol or opioids because they are also central nervous system depressants. Mixing benzos with stimulants such as cocaine can mask the effects, increasing the risk of experiencing an overdose. Common overdose symptoms include:
- Loss of coordination
- Altered mental status
- Intense mood swings
- Inability to speak clearly
- Respiratory depression
- Decreased muscle reflexes
- Slowed heart rate and low blood pressure
The mental signs of a benzo overdose may be more noticeable than the physical ones. The person may not be able to recognize who they are with or where they are. This can result in drastic changes in mood and put the person at risk of hurting themselves or someone else. This is why overdoses require medical attention.
Dangers of a Benzo Overdose: Should I Seek Medical Help?
As we mentioned above, benzo overdoses are not typically life-threatening, but benzo use does not usually occur on its own. When mixed with other substances, the risk of an overdose becoming dangerous increases tenfold. The central nervous system controls vital processes within the body – breathing, temperature regulation, and regulating emotion to name a few.
As benzos slow this system, breathing can slow and stop altogether. When this happens, the brain and other vital organs are no longer receiving oxygen. This can cause damage and even tissue death if not corrected. The brain and heart can repair themselves to an extent, but when they go without oxygen for too long, they can shut down and cause life-threatening consequences.
What to Do During an Overdose
The first step when someone is experiencing a benzo overdose is to call for help. Even if you are not sure if they are overdosing, it is better to err on the side of caution. Stay with the person and try to get them somewhere quiet. They may attempt to leave or go somewhere else, which can be dangerous as they will not be coordinated and may fall resulting in injuries. If they lose consciousness, help them lay down and roll them onto their side. This helps prevent choking in case they vomit.
Vomiting is the body’s natural defense of trying to clear toxins from the body, and it may work to eject the benzodiazepines as a safety measure. When help arrives, be honest with all substances taken. This helps medical professionals treat as effectively as possible.
Are Certain People More at Risk of Benzo Overdose?
Polysubstance use is the biggest risk factor in experiencing a benzo overdose. Alcohol and other depressants can exacerbate symptoms and bring on an overdose quicker. When mixed with cocaine or meth, benzo side effects can become muted, causing the person to take more. This also increases the risk of an overdose and is especially dangerous because the person won’t realize it is happening.
Risk Factors for Experiencing Benzo Overdose
Not everyone who takes benzos will experience an overdose, but there are risk factors that may make someone more susceptible. These include:
Mental health conditions: benzos are often prescribed to treat anxiety. However, taking too many at one time or misusing them can lead to increased anxiety and mood swings. This can cause the person to take more, increasing the risk of an overdose.
Polysubstance use: mixing alcohol and other substances with benzos. As we mentioned above, this increases the risk of an overdose exponentially.
Tolerance and dependence: taking more benzos builds tolerance. The brain becomes adjusted to the amount being taken, therefore it requires more to feel the same effects. As tolerance builds, so does dependence. Dependence occurs when the body needs the substance – in this case benzos – to function. As both of these increase, so does the risk of an overdose.
Long-Term Repercussions of Benzodiazepine Overdose
Just because a benzo overdose is not necessarily life-threatening in the moment doesn’t mean that the person will live scott-free. When oxygen does not reach vital organs, they can stop functioning. We only have one heart and brain, and when they become damaged, they can cause life-long complications including neurological conditions such as dementia. Aspirating can occur from inhaling vomit, leading to lung infections that can cause long-term damage.
Rhabdomyolysis is a dangerous condition that causes skeletal muscles to leak intracellular fluid into plasma. This fluid is toxic to the body and can cause serious complications. Benzodiazepine overdose can cause this condition, resulting in long-term damage.
Can I Prevent a Benzo Overdose?
The best way to prevent a benzo overdose is to avoid taking them illicitly. If you are prescribed benzos, take them as the doctor advises. Do not mix benzos with any other substance such as alcohol, as this increases the risk of a potential overdose. If you are concerned about overdosing or the side effects of benzodiazepines, talk with your doctor about getting a different medication. There are other options to treat anxiety and insomnia that do not come with the added risks that benzos have.
Treatment Options for Benzodiazepine Addiction in Pinellas County
Experiencing a benzodiazepine overdose is scary and can leave you rattled with what to do next. You don’t have to live in fear or under the grip of benzos, help is available today. Rehab for benzo addiction is the first step to breaking free and taking your life back. Through in-depth therapies, coping skill development, and creative expression, you will begin the path to recovery from benzodiazepine use disorder. Rediscovering your passions and zest for life will open the doors to your success and your future.
If you or someone you love has experienced a benzo overdose or is managing a benzo use disorder, don’t wait until it’s too late. Tranquil Shores is here to offer you a safe and welcoming environment right here on the beautiful Gulf Coast beach. Our dedicated and compassionate team treats you with respect and dignity while helping you heal physically and mentally. You don’t have to worry about keeping up with work, you are able to keep your electronic devices while enrolled in our treatment program. Call us today at 727-391-7001 for the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
FAQs About Benzodiazepine Overdose
Are there any drugs that can reverse a benzo overdose?
There are no over-the-counter medications that reverse a benzo overdose. Flumazenil is a prescription benzo antagonist and is used in overdose situations, but it must be administered by a medical professional.
