Benzo Detox Hospitals South Florida

Benzos (Benzodiazepines) are depressants (like alcohol) that are used to treat anxiety, stress, seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. Benzos function as sedatives or anticonvulsants that induce a relaxed, sleepy, hypnotic, and tranquilized state. The dangers of using benzos recreationally is that the body becomes quickly acclimated to their effects, leading to an increasing tolerance and dependence on them.

Types of Benzos

Benzos can be categorized by their half-life, which is the length of time it takes for 50% of the drug to leave the body.

Short-acting benzodiazepines: (Have shorter half-lives) Xanax, Ativan and Tranxene.

Intermediate benzodiazepines: Klonopin

Long-acting benzodiazepines: (Have longer half-lives) Valium (Diazepam) and Librium (Chlordiazepoxide).

How do benzodiazepines affect the body?

Similar to alcohol, Benzos activate GABA receptors within the brain which open channels letting negative ions into the neurons. This results in more negative (inhibitory) neurons which decreases neurotransmission between them. Only positive (excitatory) neurons increase the neural firing of electrical signals between them.

Overtime (like alcohol), the brain develops a tolerance to Benzos and reduces its natural GABA activity. So if the inhibitory drug (Benzos) is abruptly discontinued, now that the brain's natural activation of GABA has been reduced there will likewise be a reduction in the negative ions entering the neuron. This eventually leads to an abundance of excitatory (positive) neurons which results in a hyperexcitable state causing anxiety, agitation, seizures, and delirium tremens.