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Cedar Oaks Wellness Center has helped countless clients who have developed addictions to prescription drugs, including benzodiazepines. Though many people are initially prescribed the drug to treat their seizures, relieve anxiety, and help them sleep through the night, long-term use of benzodiazepines increases the risk of people developing a tolerance and dependence on the drug, and before you know it, you have an addiction. Abusing this drug can cause serious negative symptoms and can even be life-threatening.
Frequently referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers, their purpose is to slow down activity in the central nervous system to produce calming effects.
Doctors typically prescribe benzodiazepines to treat the following medical conditions:
Though more than 2,000 benzodiazepines have been produced over the years, around 15 are currently approved in the United States by the FDA. The most common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (under the brand name Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and temazepam (Restoril).