Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety and sleep disorders. But they are powerful and must be used carefully to avoid addiction.

They may also increase tolerance to opiates and cause dependence. When mixed with alcohol or illicit substances, these medications can be highly dangerous because they slow breathing and reduce alertness. In overdose situations, people often experience seizures, coma, and death.

Benzodiazepines have a high potential for abuse and dependence. They may produce severe physical and psychological dependence if used regularly. Physical signs include muscle stiffness, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, insomnia, and excessive sweating. Psychological signs include irritability, aggression, agitation, panic attacks, paranoia, depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis.

Long-term use (more than 6 months) of benzodiazepines can cause problems with memory. These include confusion, disorientation, amnesia, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Some people may also develop physical symptoms such as muscle stiffness, seizures, tachycardia, and increased heart rate. Other side effects include anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and dry mouth.

To this day, i take half the smallest dose of benzos and I sleep well. While benzos are clearly a substance of abuse, I am no longer alone in taking them in treatment as prescribed over a long duration of time. In fact, if you were to ask an alcoholic about their experience with alcoholics anonymous, they would tell you that they too had taken benzos in recovery. Like other substances I have sampled, I found that my tolerance did not build and that I needed more and more to feel the same effects. My doctor knew this could be the problem and was willing to take the risk with me.