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 Detection and Control of Benzodiazepine Drug Abuse

   By Nate Rodnay

Benzodiazepines are a type of anti-anxiety drugs. While anxiety is a normal response to stress, some people have unusually high levels of anxiety that can interfere with everyday life. Benzodiazepines can help bring these feelings under control.

Benzodiazepines are a type of anti-anxiety drugs. While anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations, some people have unusually high levels of anxiety that can interfere with everyday life. For these people, benzodiazepines can help bring their feelings under control.

Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system, produce sedation and muscle relaxation, and lower anxiety levels. Benzodiazepines are commonly abused. Benzodiazepines abuse is partially related to the toxic effects that they produce and to their widespread availability. Death and serious illness rarely result from benzodiazepine abuse alone. However, they are frequently taken with either alcohol or other medications. The combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol can be dangerous.

Causes and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Abuse

At normal or regular doses, benzodiazepines relieve anxiety and insomnia. A benzodiazepine overdose causes side effects like drowsiness or dizziness. High doses of benzodiazepines can produce side effects that are more serious. Signs and symptoms of acute toxicity or overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, weakness, slurred speech, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

Signs of chronic drug abuse can be very nonspecific and include changes in appearance and behavior that affect relationships and work performance. Warning signs in children include abrupt changes in mood or deterioration of school performance. Chronic abuse of benzodiazepines can lead to symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, headaches, and weakness.

Monitoring and Testing of Benzodiazepine Abuse

  • Benzodiazepine drug abuse can be detected with a saliva drug test.

  • Urine drug screens are used to find the addiction levels for benzodiazepines. Lab tests can detect many of the commonly abused drugs, including benzodiazepines (but may not be able to discover them all). The urine drug screens do not, however, reveal a specific level or amount of the drug taken. However, it is difficult to find the level of addiction for benzodiazepines, as this level varies from individual.

  • In the case of benzodiazepine overdose, in the emergency department a patient will be placed on a monitor evaluating heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. An IV line will be started. Oxygen is given if the patient is short of breath or has a reduced level of consciousness.

    About the Author:

    DrugAlcoholTest.com is an online store offering drug test and drug screening products in several formats including home drug tests, blood, urine and oral drug test kits. DrugAlchoholTest.com offers FDA-approved urine drug testing kits as well as DOT-approved alcohol testing products. Some of the popular products are the marijuana drug test, breathalyzer, and saliva drug test products. DrugAlcoholTest.com is a professional management company that is responsible and socially aware, with a mission to make ours a healthier and better society. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com


  •   Article added 10/23/07, last revised 10/23/07.

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