Benzo Overdose

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are commonly prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and seizures.

While they can be effective when used as directed, they also carry serious risks, including misuse, addiction, and potentially fatal overdose. In recent years, benzodiazepine overdoses have been on the rise, causing the deaths of 12,499 Americans in 2021 alone. 

It is important to know how to recognize benzo overdose and what can be done to treat it. Join Avenues Recovery, experts in addiction treatment, to explore benzodiazepine overdose risks, warning signs, emergency steps, and how to get professional help.

What Are Benzos?

Benzos (benzodiazepines) are a class of medications that slow activity in the brain and nervous system. They are used to treat anxiety, insomnia (inability to fall asleep), epilepsy, mental health conditions, and muscle spasms. In addition, they are often given to patients to help them manage pre-surgery anxiety and pre-anesthesia sedation.

Due to their potential for misuse and the risks of benzo poisoning, benzos are tightly regulated and only available with a prescription. Benzos have been widely prescribed since their inception in the 1960s since they have fewer side effects and are less likely to cause as much harm as barbiturates, which had previously been the drug of choice for many years.

Can You Overdose on Benzos?

Yes, it is possible to overdose on benzos. A benzo overdose occurs when an individual takes an excessive amount of the drug, leading to dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequences. Benzodiazepine overdose can happen accidentally, often due to a misunderstanding of the prescribed dosage, or deliberately, due to recreational abuse or a suicide attempt.

Benzos work by enhancing the effects of the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter in the brain, which produces a calming effect. However, taking too much can cause severe CNS (central nervous system) depression, slowing breathing and heart rate, and decreasing blood pressure. This can result in unconsciousness, coma, and in the worst cases, death.

Combining benzos with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, significantly increases the risk of overdose. Mixing these substances can have a synergistic effect, intensifying their individual impacts and putting the user in grave danger.

What Are Benzo Overdose Symptoms?

What Are Benzodiazepine Overdose Risk Factors?

A benzodiazepine overdose is most likely to occur when benzos are mixed with alcohol and other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants. Benzos can enhance their effects and increase the risk of respiratory depression (inability to breathe) and other severe complications.

Other factors that contribute to a benzo overdose are:

• Dose: Taking a higher-than-prescribed dose or multiple doses close together can lead to a benzodiazepine intoxication.
• Individual Factors: People may react differently to benzodiazepines based on age, weight, metabolism, and overall health. Some individuals may be more sensitive to the drug's effects, making them more susceptible to overdose.
• Previous Benzodiazepine Overdose: If someone has previously experienced a benzo overdose, they may be more likely to experience another overdose.
• Misuse and Abuse: Using benzodiazepines recreationally, taking larger doses than prescribed, crushing them, and snorting them, or using them for non-medical reasons significantly increases the risk of overdose.
• Illicit Use: Buying benzos illegally after a prescription runs out puts a person at added risk of benzodiazepine intoxication as it is usually a sign that they are building a dependence on the drug.
• Dependence and Withdrawal: Benzodiazepine dependence can lead to misuse and overdose, especially during withdrawal when higher doses are taken to ease withdrawal symptoms.
• Age: Elderly individuals may be more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines due to age-related changes in drug metabolism and clearance from one’s body.
• Mental Health Conditions: People with certain mental health disorders, such as depression or suicidal ideation, may be at higher risk of intentional benzodiazepine overdose.

Is There An Antidote for Benzodiazepine Overdose?

Yes, a medication called flumazenil acts as a benzo overdose antidote. However, while flumazenil counteracts the benzos themselves, it does not improve poor breathing caused by a benzodiazepine overdose.

The benefits of using flumazenil as a benzo overdose antidote are limited. Being a short-lived drug, it may need to be administered every 20 minutes. Additionally, flumazenil causes seizures in some patients.

What is Benzodiazepine Overdose Treatment?

Here's an overview of the typical treatment approach for a Benzo overdose:

• Immediate Medical Assistance: Call emergency services without delay if a Benzo overdose is suspected. Time is critical in such situations, and trained medical professionals are equipped to handle emergencies effectively.
• Stabilization: Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical team will prioritize stabilizing the patient. This may involve ensuring proper breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Advanced life support measures may be required for severely affected individuals.
• Elimination of Toxins: In some cases, medical professionals may attempt to remove excess benzos from the body. Techniques like stomach pumping or administration of activated charcoal may be used to limit further drug absorption.
• Administration of Antidotes: Flumazenil, a benzo overdose antidote, may be administered in certain situations to reverse the effects of the overdose. However, its use requires caution, as it can induce withdrawal symptoms and provoke seizures in individuals dependent on benzos.
• Supportive Care: Throughout treatment, the medical team will closely monitor the patient's vital signs and provide supportive care. This may include administering intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, or mechanical ventilation (breathing) if necessary.
• Addressing Co-occurring Issues: For cases involving polysubstance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, comprehensive treatment plans will be developed to address the root causes of the overdose and prevent future occurrences.
• Rehabilitation and Aftercare: Following stabilization, individuals who have experienced a Benzo overdose may be referred to substance abuse treatment programs or counseling services to address addiction and ensure a successful recovery.

Preventing a Benzo Overdose 

The best way to avoid a benzo overdose is to quit using them altogether. However, overcoming dependence can be challenging. Here are some common elements of benzo addiction treatment:

Medical Detoxification: Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and anxiety. Medical drug detox treatment is often the first step in treatment, and it involves tapering the individual off the drug gradually, under medical supervision, to minimize withdrawal symptoms and ensure safety.

Medication Management: In some cases, medications may be used to manage withdrawal symptoms or address co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety or depression. However, medication use in benzo addiction treatment should be closely monitored to prevent substituting one addiction for another.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment: For those in need of intensive support, inpatient programs provide 24/7 medical care, monitoring, and structured treatment. Patients stay at a facility where they participate in individual and group therapy, behavioral interventions, life skills training, and peer support programs.

Outpatient Programs: Outpatient treatment offers flexibility for those who need structured therapy but can maintain daily responsibilities. These programs provide counseling, behavioral therapy, and support while allowing individuals to return home, work, or a sober living environment after their sessions.

Education: Providing education about addiction, the effects of benzos on the body and brain, and coping strategies can empower individuals to take control of their recovery journey.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention: Successful treatment strongly focuses on aftercare and relapse prevention. This may involve ongoing therapy, support group participation, and developing coping strategies to manage triggers and high-risk situations.

Benzo Overdose Treatment at Avenues Recovery

While a benzo overdose can be life-threatening, prompt medical intervention can help reverse some of the harmful effects. However, it’s important to remember that overdoses often involve other complications, such as respiratory distress, that require comprehensive treatment.

If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine misuse or dependence, don’t wait for an emergency to seek help. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today and take the first step toward a healthier, sober future.