WHAT IS THE TRADE NAME OF BENZODIAZEPINES?

AM I ADDICTED?

 Have you been taking your pills for 3 months or more?

 Have any of the symptoms for which the pills were prescribed stayed the same or become worse?

 Are you always tired/drowsy/unsteady?

 Do you need more and more pills to feel good?

 Are you having withdrawal symptoms while using pills?

 Are you trying to get more pills than your doctor prescribed?

 Do you feel the need to have your pills with you all the time?

TRANQUILLIZERS

WHAT ARE TRANQUILLIZERS?

In this pamphlet we are discussing a group of tranquillizers, known as Benzodiazepines. Drugs in this group change how we are feeling at the time. They are used to reduce anxiety and allow one to sleep. These drugs work in the brain, and the more we rely on them to help us cope, the less we use our natural coping skills, and more difficult it becomes to do so.

WHAT IS THE TRANKS SUPPORT GROUP?

A support group, which meets regularly at the Centre to offer advice and encouragement with problems involved in withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. The group members have all been assessed at the Drug Counselling Centre, and are all trying to stop using Benzodiazepines.

WHAT ARE THEY PRESCRIBED FOR?

We often go to doctors with a variety of problems like anxiety, sleeplessness, bereavement and stress.
Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed when we are upset about these problems. It is important to remember that these drugs do not remove the problem, and the person may need psychological counselling as well as or in place of the pills.

WHAT SHOULD I ASK IF MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBES BENZODIAZEPINES?

How safe and effective is it to use these pills?

It is safe to drink alcohol or use other medication while using these pills?

NB - Remember that Benzodiazepines are addictive!

HOW DOES ONE BECOME ADDICTED?

Benzodiazepines should be prescribed for a short period of time (usually less than 4 weeks), for the treatment of a specific problem.

They always appear to relieve the problem in the beginning, so people believe the pills are a solution to their problems, and are tempted to continue taking them indefinitely. Doctors are sometimes also at fault, repeating prescriptions month after month, year after year without warning the patient of the fact that these pills are addictive.

Continued use leads to the body becoming chemically dependent on the Benzodiazepines. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms - e.g. sleeplessness, headaches, depression, anxiety, panic attacks - then make it difficult for the patient to stop taking them.

ARE YOU TRYING TO STOP USING BENZODIAZEPINES?

If yes, you should be doing it with the help of a doctor, and in the majority of cases it should be over a period of time. It can be dangerous to stop using these pills suddenly.

People trying to stop experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms e.g. dizziness, dry mouth, and memory loss. The discomfort is far less if the withdrawal is done slowly and under medical supervision.

WHAT CAN THE DRUG COUNSELLING CENTRE OFFER YOU?

 We can offer support to clients with this type of drug problem

 We can supply general information on Benzodiazapines

 An assessment interview with one of our therapist, to ascertain the extent of the problem and to discuss treatment options

 An interview with our psychiatrist to work out a slow withdrawal programme if appropriate

 Liaison with your own family doctor or psychiatrist Individual psychotherapy if required

 Tranks support group