Benzodiazepines no joke

August 28, 5:09 PMDetroit Substance Abuse ExaminerMichael Velardo

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              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), 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 kill an addict with a tolerance to the drug/s unless the level were very high, as in Michael's case.

Many, many people in the US have an addiction to benzodiazepines, and these drugs are a nightmare to get off of. There have also been many deaths attributed to these drugs, and the number will continue to grow if people insist on combining these drugs with other medications. Even OTC medications can enhance, and inhibit a drug's action. In fact, withdrawing from benzodiazepines abruptly is dangerous in and of itself because seizures can occur.  Withdrawing from these drugs requires a weaning process, preferrably in a detox center.

For Michael Jackson, and many others who have succumbed to the lethal effects of combining medications, well, they paid the ultimate price. You don't have to go there. 

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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Benzodiazepine withdrawal