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Dependency
The benzodiazepines are quite safe if taken every now and again, however, if taken daily for any longer than a few weeks, these drugs can cause physical dependency. The longer a person takes benzodiazepines, the greater the risk of becoming dependent on the drugs.
For many people, dependency and the subsequent withdrawal symptoms have not been recognised. The person starts to feel worse and worse while still taking the pills, and mistakenly assumes that his or her problems are increasing and that therefore she or he needs to continue taking the pills.
Alternatively, people taking benzodiazepines long term may not notice a significant problem while still taking the pills, but will experience withdrawal symptoms when they cut down or skip a dose.
Not all people become dependent on benzodiazepines, and some long term users of these drugs stop taking them without ill effects.
The risk of dependency is significant, however, because of the possible severity and duration of the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.
How can you tell if you are dependent?
You may be dependent on benzodiazepines if:
- You have taken a tranquilliser or sleeping pill for four months or longer
- You feel you rely on your pills to cope
- You have ever cut down or stopped taking your pills and have felt ill or anxious or experienced unusual symptoms
- You feel your pills are not having the same effect as when you first started taking them
- You take an extra pill during a stressful time
- You tried cutting down or stopped taking your sleeping pills and could not sleep a wink
- You have increased your dose
- You have increased your alcohol intake
- The benzodiazepines are interfering with your life in some way, for example, sick days off work, family or relationship problems, difficulty coping, difficulty remembering things.
- You always make sure you never run out of benzodiazepines
- You carry your benzodiazepines with you “just in case”
If you answer Yes to two or more of these questions, it is most likely that you have become dependent on the benzodiazepines. |
