Patients who have prescriptions for benzos, as well as the ones who don’t use the drugs for similar reasons, can abuse benzo. Some patients would choose to self-medicate their sleep problems or anxiety by altering their prescription or illegally obtaining them. In turn, it leads to recreational abuse, and eventually, addiction. Some people use benzos to self-treat the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal.
However, benzos are used alongside other substances, such as opioids and alcohol. People who use benzos for recreational purposes claim that it increases the pleasurable effects of other drugs.
How do you know if a loved one is abusing the use of benzos? Even when used right, benzos can create certain mental, physical, and emotional side effects. You can imagine what it can do to a person who abuses it—the effects are more intense.
Since benzos have immediate effects, a person who abuses it may show confusion, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, intense calm, irritability, impaired memory, and lethargy. Signs of casual abuse may be less visible, but over time, it will become more evident. Therefore, if you suspect a loved one is abusing benzos, be mindful of their behavior.