Binding site on the GABA receptor
Benzodiazepines are used to treat a variety of physical and psychological conditions. Unfortunately, these drugs are highly addictive, and withdrawals are very intense, often worse than those experienced from opiate addiction. Teens experimenting with the benzos are particularly at risk for serious complications because they usually mix these drugs with other chemicals, including alcohol.
Antianxiety medications have helped countless people deal with issues in their lives they would otherwsie have a problem with had they not been prescribed the medication. However, the body builds a tolerance to these drugs, and you need more, and more to produce similar effects.
Common drugs of abuse in this category are Valium© (diazepam); Librium© (chlordiazepoxide); Ativan© (lorazepam); Klonopin® (clonazepam); (Xanax© (alprazolam); and Rohypnol© (flunitrazepam, also called the date rape drug). Many opiate addicts will use benzodiazepines because they enhance the effects of narcotics. A Vicodin, or heroin addict could actually reduce the amount of narcotics needed if benzodiazepines were used with them. Unfortunately, the combination can be lethal, and often are.
Benzodiazepines work on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter that neurons use to signal each other, and/or transfer information. Research suggests that overactive nerves in the brain may be responsible for anxiety, and other psychological problems. GABA is said to reduce nerve activity in the brain, and spinal cord. Benzodiazepines increase GABA and act like a sedative on the nerves. "The human nervous system has two different types of benzodiazepine receptors: one that causes the anti-anxiety effect, and one that elicits the sedative effect," according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. They are also used for general anesthesia, as muscle relaxants, for panic attacks, and depression.
One of the greatest problems with benzodiazepines is using them in conjunction with alcohol, or other drugs. When done, there is a synergistic effect that enhances the medication and/or alcohol's effects. Since this drug is a CNS depressant, drinking alcohol, or combining it with similar drugs can cause all kinds of problems, including death.
Michael Jackson's death, as reported by the LA county coronor, stated that Jackson had benzodiazepines in his system, as well as propofol, a powerful narcotic used in anesthesia. The combination of these drugs pushed Michael over the edge. Now his death is being ruled a homicide due to the levels of drugs found in his body. However, Michael had an addiction, and what might kill the average person, wouldn't necessarily kill an addict with a tolerance to the drugs unless the levels were very high, or some other medical condition was present that might contribute to complications.
Many, many people in the US have an addiction to benzodiazepines, and these drugs are a nightmare to withdraw from. There have also been many deaths attributed to these drugs, and the number will continue to grow if people insist on combining benzos with other medications. Even OTC medications can enhance a drug's action. In fact, withdrawing from benzodiazepines abruptly is dangerous in, and of itself because seizures, and death can occur. Withdrawing from these drugs requires a weaning process, preferrably under medical supervision.
If you or a loved one needs help with any type of drug problem, contact these sites depending on where you live. SEMCA (Wayne County residents), CARE (Macomb County residents), PACE (Oakland County residents), Drug Free Detroit (City of Detroit residents).
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Comments
Excuse Michael Velardo, while I find your article enlightening, you missed a very important point. Michael Jackson did not mix the medications. HIS DOCTOR AND PROFESSIONAL DID. I believe that from your knowledge and position being what sounds like a "Substance Abuse Counselor" that had Michael Jackson come to you for drugs you would denied him and tried to encourage him to seek help. This is the difference between what Michael Jackson Doctor did not do. He did not warn him nor did he deny him De. Murray simply supplied and administered Michael the drugs. Michael Jackson was a PATIENT NOT A CLIENT and no Doctor should have ever given in to him, they should have encouraged him to seek help and even if necessary get the authorities involved. The Doctors could have anonymously contacted Michael Jacksons family for intervention. Yes his people tried to intervene but that was years ago at neverland. NO DOCTOR SHOULD SUPPLY A DRUG ADDICT WITH DRUGS. This is no ones fault but the DOCTORS.
Paula, while I agree with your position regarding Jackson's doctor, and his duty to get Michael help, I disagree with your belief that Michael was not at fault here in some respect. One does not refer to drugs as their "milk" and not have some kind of deep unhealthy attachment to the substance other than as medication to help insomnia. I'm truly disgusted by Dr. Murray's behavior for what he did do, as well as what he didn't do, but Michael shares some of the blame for hounding those close to him for more, and more drugs that he continued to use over the years. Michael was not without making "choices" in his life, despite his addiction.
Habla con tus hijos! Aqui empieza el diologo.
You people have NO concept of what you are up against with benzo withdrawal if you defend it. I am over 10 months off this CRAP and STILL in withdrawal/recovery. Doing crack and heroin is FAR easier to get off of. This is the biggest covered secret in the world. How ANY doctor can give this UTTER evil garbage out to anyone is beyond satanic. Yes, many people do get off not too bad but guess what? MANY go through potentially YEARS of withdrawal TOTALLY misdiagnosed by ignorant/lazy doctors and COVERED UP by the criminal drug companies all too happy to make drug addicts out of patients.. How would you like a one year or 18 month withdrawal which is VERY common with this garbage.. If a doctor EVER offers you or a family member or friend a benzo, tell him/her to F off.. As far as the companies, may they rot in hell so hard.. better yet, spend an eternity in benzo w/d.. You have been warned. Benzos are FAR worse than CRACK! BAN ALL BENZOS!!!
alprazopam and the other family of benzos are treated rather unfairly in the above article. That is rather some crazy saying abused drugs I have been on benzos since I was 20, I am now 36 and I dont agree when people such as doctors say they are abused drugs. Many people need this medication to stay sane in their daily lives. You can easily withdraw from this medication as I did one time a while back and it was no problem for me because my body needs the medication for one. Two If I did not have this medication on hand every once in a while I would be in the mental ward. Benzos are great for people who are highly anxious or over active. I could not hold a job without them. I have tried natural substances such as magnesium and natural herb it just isnt the same. Xanax wont kill a person. Its very hard to overdoes on Xanax. Its rather quite impossible. yes of course if you mix the meds with other meds the other med would be the corporate over any benzos. The government, the MIB whom ever needs to let people take what helps them, not give people an alternative and let people suffer just because a Doctor doesnt agree with the Benzo. We pay the doctors to help us. What the doctor does is one thing but were all grown ups here. We are in control of taking any medication NO one can force anyone to swallow a pill. Think about it. if You were a doctor and got paid 200,000 a month would you take a chance (Micheal Jackson) took too much medications. Doctor got paid. Doctor did his job.
Whateffects does ithave on the huamn body?
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