A popular trend among teenagers who are experimenting with mood-altering substances is to use benzodiazepines. These depressants are a category of drugs that slow normal brain function. They produce a drowsy or calming effect that is beneficial to those suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines are commonly known by their brand names, such as Ativan, Valium, Librium, and Xanax. These drugs are prescribed to treat anxiety, stress and panic attacks.
More sedating benzodiazepines like Halcion and ProSom are prescribed for the short-term treatment of sleep disorders. In higher doses, some benzodiazepines can even be used as general anesthetics. Here is everything you need to know about benzodiazepines, their potential for abuse and the home drug tests that can save your child’s life.
Side-Effects
At high doses or when they are abused, benzodiazepines can cause unconsciousness and death. As a parent, if you suspect someone of using this substance, you can get definitive answers by using simple, private home drug tests.
Using benzodiazepines in combination with alcohol, prescription pain medications and over over-the-counter cold and allergy medications can slow breathing, slow both the heart and respiration, and possibly lead to death. Because of the life-threatening risks associated with use of benzodiazepines when unsupervised by a physician, it is imperative to prevent this type of substance abuse.
One of the most effective preventative measures is to use home drug tests to keep your teen accountable. As with many other situations that arise in the course of parenting a teenager, this is a circumstance where your teenagers may initially resent the intrusion, but will thank you later in life for safeguarding them from the health hazards associated with the abuse of benzodiazepines.
Health Hazards
Anaemia, impairment of liver function, chronic intoxication (headache, impaired vision, slurred speech) and depression are the common health hazards associated with abuse of benzodiazepines. Babies of chronic users may have difficulty in breathing and feeding, disturbed sleep patterns, sweating, irritability and fever.
Very significant levels of physiological dependence marked by both tolerance and withdrawal, can develop to the sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics. The timing and severity of the withdrawal syndrome will differ depending on the specific substance and its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Treatment
If your child has developed an addiction to benzodiazepines, a two-stage approach is generally used in treatment. First, detoxification of the drug followed by long-term rehabilitation. To prevent this painful process, it is vital to carefully monitor your teen on a regular basis to let them know that you love and care about their health. By investing in your children with the purchase of easy-to-use personal and private home drug tests, you are taking a proactive approach to keeping your child safe.
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