Withdrawal symptoms
Physiological dependence causes withdrawal symptoms when drug treatment is rapidly reduced or suddenly discontinued (Ashton, 2005). The most common short-term withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines are anxiety related symptoms and elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Insomnia and hypersensitivity are also common. Serious short term withdrawal symptoms are seizures and delirium tremens. These mostly occur if the drug is abruptly discontinued (Longo & Johnson, 2000). There is some evidence that benzodiazepine use increases risky decision making because of the drugs disinhibitory effects on the nervous system (Lane et al., 2005).
Long term withdrawal symptoms are more pronounced and more prolonged than short term withdrawal. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Physiological symptoms include gastrointestinal, neurological, and muscle and skeletal problems. These are thought to occur after a long period of abstinence from the drug. These symptoms can occur even if there has been a slow decrease in dosage. The reason for this occurrence is thought to be the nervous system adapting to and changing the benzodiazepine chemical structure (Longo & Johnson, 2000).
Common Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Symptoms
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