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Use of Benzodiazapines
Why doctor always warns about the use of Benzodiazapines? Doctors use two term "addictive" and "dependency". Can you explain these two terms? And what is meant by short acting and long acting ? Which one is more addictive and dependency prone ?
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Hello,
Doctors warn about benzodiazepines because of their potential for dependence and addiction, especially with long-term use.
Dependence means that the body gets used to the drug, and stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. This can happen even if the medication is taken exactly as prescribed.
Addiction, on the other hand, is a behavioral pattern where a person compulsively seeks the drug for its effects, even if it causes harm. Not everyone who becomes dependent becomes addicted, but addiction involves both physical and psychological aspects.
Next Steps
Look for a psychiatrist who specializes in sexual disorders or addiction psychiatry.
Explore a clinical psychologist or sex therapist for structured therapy.
Consider evaluation at a tertiary mental health center or private multispecialty mental health clinic if available.
Health Tips
Avoid combining benzodiazepines with alcohol or other sedatives-it can be dangerous.
Using them only for short durations (2–4 weeks) reduces the risk of dependence.
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Addiction is a behavioural/physical urge to take something, but when it become a severe form it become dependency (which also needs Psychiatric attention), medicine have some half life in body (simple words, how quickly your body can digest the medicine along with drug response), short and long acting are more of a technical terms to denote that phenomenon
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consultation
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Heyy
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Addictive & dependence are 2 different terms used for same problem. Benzodiazepines prescribed at adequate dose for brief time can not lead to dependance. But if person starts using higher doses for other than prescribed reason (getting high) for many months to years can lead to dependance. Mostly longer acting drugs are safer but shorter acting drugs can lead to both physical (leading to withdrawal symptoms) as well as psychological dependance.
Drugs those are prescribed by your psychiatrist are safer than local medical officers in your area aren't (like Alprazolam, highly addictive).
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Benzodiazepines are the medications that are prescribed for acute anxiety states and sleep disturbances. They are also prescribed in seizure disorder cases in which case they are prescribed for longer periods. But for psychiatric disorders, ideally, they are not supposed to be prescribed for more than 2 months to prevent developing dependence. The term "Dependence" is a medical term that denotes both psychological and physical alterations in the body that occur due to the prolonged use of the habit forming or the so called "addictive" drugs, and when prevented from using such drugs to which you have become "dependent", you might experience cravings and later withdrawals. Coming to the short acting vs long acting, generally short acting are prescribed when there are indications like acute anxiety or sleep initiation and long acting for few sleep disorders and sleep maintenance issues which occur in the middle of the sleep cycle. Benzodiazepines with shorter half-life tend to have more severe withdrawals and greater tendency to get dependence.
Next Steps
Be cautious and be on regular follow-ups with your psychiatrist while using Benzodiazepines
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Dr. Shailaja Bandla
Psychiatrist
19 yrs exp
Vijayawada
Hi.. Doctors warn about benzodiazepines because they can cause dependence if used regularly for long periods. Dependence means your body gets used to the drug, and you may need more to feel the same effect or feel unwell without it. Addiction is when a person craves the drug, uses it despite harm, and loses control over its use. Short-acting benzodiazepines (like alprazolam) work quickly but wear off fast, increasing the risk of withdrawal symptoms and misuse. Long-acting ones (like diazepam) stay in the body longer and may cause daytime drowsiness but have a lower risk of withdrawal.
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consult online for further questions
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.