Benzodiazepine addiction is real. This physician shares his story.

Say the words, “drug addiction,” and most of us think of heroin, alcohol, cocaine, or opiates. However, lurking in the shadows is a less talked about epidemic: addiction to benzodiazepines, commonly known as “benzos.” I should know because after taking a nighttime dose of lorazepam (Ativan) for about ten years; I finally weaned myself off this and all other prescription sleep medications. About twelve years ago, my father died and then my dog. But that was nothing in comparison to the fight to save my marriage from alcohol addiction: not mine, but my wife’s. It occurred around the same time. She ultimately lost that battle and her life, but only after years of struggles, stints in rehab, and admissions for GI bleeding and liver failure. I was left divorced and a single dad. The stress of the constant combat with active alcoholism led me to leave the partnership of the cardiology practice that I had started, and go off of night call. I calmed the sleepless nights with medications. Soon I could not sleep without taking a pill. I tried other medications like Lunesta, which I stopped because everything the next day tasted like tin. And then there was Ambien, which I tried after I re-married, but stopped because while “asleep” my wife said I threw my iPad at her. Lastly, there was Belasomra, which didn’t work. Years went past, and doctors kept on prescribing the lorazepam for me. Finally last year, my sleep doctor (I have obstructive...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Meds Medications Source Type: blogs