A Review of Benzodiazepines from Weakest to Strongest
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a drug class used to treat anxiety disorders like panic disorder and other conditions. For example, they can sometimes be prescribed to treat insomnia or alcohol withdrawal. While benzodiazepines are prescription drugs with real medical uses, they are controlled substances that pose a risk of physical dependence and addiction.
With this in mind, you might wonder–what is the strongest benzo?
How do benzos work, and what are their long-term effects? If you think you might have a benzodiazepine addiction, what can you do?
Purpose Healing Center treats benzo addiction from a whole-person perspective. We address the underlying causes of benzo addiction in our inpatient and outpatient programs and have medical detox services for those who need help getting off of benzos safely.
Weakest to Strongest Benzodiazepine Drugs
Factors like the dose you take will make a difference as to how weak or strong any benzodiazepine drug is. Generally speaking, here are some of the weakest benzodiazepine drugs to some of the strongest (most potent) benzodiazepines commonly prescribed in the United States.
- Restoril (Temazepam).
- Doral (Quazepam).
- Tranxene (Clorazepate).
- Valium (Diazepam).
- Ativan (Lorazepam).
- Xanax (Alprazolam).
- Halcion (Triazolam).
- Klonopin (Clonazepam).
You may be more familiar with some of these medications than others. If you take a higher potency benzodiazepine drug, take benzos in larger amounts, or take benzos for a longer period of time, you are more likely to develop a tolerance or addiction.
Long vs Short Acting Benzodiazepines
Sometimes, benzodiazepine drugs are categorized by their half-life. Long-acting benzodiazepines have a longer half-life, meaning that they stay in your body for longer.
Short-acting psychoactive drugs, benzos included, have a shorter half-life, so they exit the body more quickly. Intermediate or medium-acting benzodiazepines are somewhere in the middle.
Short-acting benzodiazepines tend to have a higher potential for abuse than long-acting benzos because the effects both onset and end rapidly, which means that you may have to take more to continue feeling the effects (or to avoid withdrawal).
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Prolonged benzodiazepine use will inevitably lead to physical dependence. Though physical dependence is not synonymous with substance use disorder or addiction, this means that anyone who uses benzodiazepines long-term is at risk of benzo withdrawal when they stop.
Benzo withdrawal can be very serious in the case of even the weakest benzos. Common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms a physically dependent person might face include:
- Worsened anxiety, rebound anxiety, or panic attacks.
- Feeling “spacy” or trouble thinking and concentrating.
- Gastrointestinal distress (e.g., nausea, vomiting).
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Irritability.
- Seizures.
- Dizziness.
- Night sweats.
- Dissociation.
- Restlessness.
- Headaches.
Nightmares and other symptoms may also occur. As time goes on, withdrawal symptoms will end. It will not last forever, and you will feel better. The medical detox programs at Purpose Healing Center can help you get through the acute withdrawal stage.
Looking Out for Benzodiazepine Overdose
Overdose is a possible risk of benzodiazepine use, so it is important to know the signs. While the fact that benzos slow your body systems is why they relieve tension, slowing them down too much can be dangerous. Benzo overdose warning signs to look out for include:
- Confusion.
- Extreme drowsiness.
- Difficulty breathing and respiratory depression.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Unresponsiveness.
- Decreased reflexes.
- Death.
- Coma.
People taking benzodiazepines in higher doses are at an increased risk of drug overdose.
How do Benzodiazepines Work?
Benzos are considered central nervous system depressants. They enhance a natural brain chemical called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which slows brain activity and has a calming effect.
Risks of Combining Benzos With Other Drugs (Polysubstance Use)
Sometimes, people use benzos alongside other drugs, like opioids or alcohol. Since opioids and alcohol are also central nervous system depressants, mixing them with benzos can be very dangerous. A significant portion of benzo-related overdose deaths involve one or more other drugs, with opioids like fentanyl among the most frequently detected.
Effects of Benzos on the Body and Brain
Adverse health effects of benzos are not limited to benzodiazepine dependence and overdose. Other short and long-term adverse effects of benzos on the body and brain include but aren’t limited to the following.
- Cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss), which can continue even after discontinuation.
- Increased risk of dementia.
- Gastrointestinal distress.
- Feelings of detachment.
- Changes in appetite.
- Slurred speech.
- Drug interactions.
- Suicidal ideations.
- Irritability.
- Drowsiness.
- Dry mouth.
Treatment for benzo abuse can help you avoid new or worsened consequences that may occur in those who misuse benzodiazepines.
The Importance of Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment
Purpose Healing Center provides inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and detox programs for people who are overcoming benzodiazepine abuse. Here are some of the ways our programs can help you quit using benzos and maintain sobriety long-term.
- Evidence-based treatment methods: Our inpatient and outpatient programs use evidence-based therapies known to address addiction effectively. Therapies used for drug addiction teach important recovery and relapse prevention skills, and being in a program–whether inpatient or outpatient–helps you stay focused on healing.
- Help for co-occurring disorders: We treat co-occurring disorders that often pair with addiction. For example, depression, trauma disorders, and anxiety disorders can pair with addiction, and it is important to address them when they do.
- Withdrawal management: We provide supervision, monitoring, and treatment for withdrawals for those in our detox program.
- Aftercare planning: Purpose Healing Center will help you make an aftercare plan before your care at our center ends, which will set you up for success and support your long-term recovery.
During your intake assessment at Purpose Healing Center, we will ask about your current drug use and personal history. Then, we will work with you to choose the right treatment program at one of our centers.
Alternative Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Sometimes, those facing benzodiazepine abuse have an underlying condition, like mental health disorders or sleep disorders. In that case, it is critical to treat underlying concerns rather than substance abuse alone. Looking at the underlying causes of addiction means that we’re able to address them as part of your care.
There are alternative treatments for anxiety disorders, and if this is something you or your loved one seeking benzo addiction treatment at our center needs, we can help. Non-habit-forming medications, lifestyle changes, and therapy are often used to treat anxiety.
Call Purpose Healing Center for Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Phoenix and Scottsdale
If you misuse benzodiazepines, it is important to seek help. Purpose Healing Center works with most to all types of drug abuse–including the misuse of prescription medications like benzodiazepines–and co-occurring mental health concerns.
To learn more about our Arizona-based benzo addiction treatment programs, please call Purpose Healing Center today. With locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, we are here to help you or your loved one heal.
FAQs About Benzodiazepines Drugs
What are the top 5 benzodiazepines?
Five of the most common benzodiazepine drugs include Xanax (Alprazolam), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Valium (Diazepam), Lorazepam (Ativan), and Triazolam (Halicon). The type of benzo someone is prescribed may depend on what it is used for. In addition to anxiety, withdrawal, and insomnia, some benzos are prescribed to treat seizures, muscle spasms, and other concerns.
What is the most lethal benzodiazepine?
Flubromazolam (“liquid Xanax”) is largely known as one of the most dangerous benzodiazepines. Unlike most benzodiazepines, Flubromazolam does not have any acceptable medical uses within the United States.
Is Xanax or Klonopin more powerful?
Xanax and Klonopin are both potent benzodiazepines, but Klonopin has a longer half-life.
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