Attitudes of Culture
Benzodiazepines and College Students
Benzodiazepines are addictive pharmaceutical drugs that are abused in the United States. Over 38,329 Americans have lost their lives because of benzodiazepines (Juergens, 2019). College benzodiazepine abuse is also apart of this problem, 5 million college students have overdosed on prescription drugs, and 31% is due to benzodiazepine abuse (Juergens, 2019). We all know how stressful college is, and we also know that college for some is freedom and parties. Benzodiazepine abuse can go under the radar when it comes to college students. Benzodiazepines are easily accessible from doctors due to being prescribed to ease anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures. They are abused because of their euphoric effects, and these effects can be (Juergens, 2019). College students combine what they are taking, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, alcohol, and other drugs, to create a more intense high (Juergens, 2019). Since college is a stressful time for most individuals, students can turn to benzodiazepines to help soothe their minds, reduce panic attacks, ease inner tension, recover from trauma, relax muscles, and eliminate test nervousness (Juergens, 2019). College students are not aware of how bad abusing benzodiazepines can get for them. Especially when it comes to the side effects along with the withdrawal process.
The Beliefs of the General Public towards Benzodiazepines
These pills have been popular for decades, and they keep getting popular. According to Vestal (2018), benzodiazepines are considered safe and non-addictive by the general public and many doctors. Doctors prescribe Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin to millions of Americans for decades to calm their nerves and get a good night's sleep (Vestal, 2018). Since the 1990s, the number of individuals taking benzodiazepines has skyrocketed for the average length of time someone is supposed to be taking them (Vestal, 2018).
When individuals are prescribed benzodiazepines, they must tell their physicians if they are on any supplements or herbal medicines (Rethink Mental Illness, 2021). Benzodiazepines can react to other medicines and cause more side effects; medications include antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, antihistamines, and beta-blockers (Rethink Mental Illness, 2021). Individuals can physician hop to get more benzodiazepines to fill their addiction to benzodiazepines.
In the video below, this young adult has prescribed a benzodiazepine for her flying anxiety. She mentions how benzodiazepines destroyed her life. This young adult was prescribed for one month, but she was taking more and realizing she would feel better and get high from it. Once she ran out of her prescription should turn to those on the streets to access them. She overdosed three times in the matter of a month. Her mom was surprised at how fast the addiction took over her life. Doctors may tell individuals that there is a risk for addiction, but they never detail how quickly addiction can take over someone's life. This is why the FDA is making benzodiazepines have a more vital warning label.
Myths and Misconceptions
Over the years, myths and misconceptions about benzodiazepine have risen.
Myth 1: Benzodiazepines are safe
- Physicians prescribe benzodiazepines because they believe they are to be an alternative to more potent tranquilizers. To safely take benzodiazepines is when the dose is ramped up initially and ramped down when the individual stops taking them (Buckeye, 2020). If this isn't followed, it can cause severe side effects. Benzodiazepines are dangerous when mixed with opioids and alcohol, something college students do regularly (Buckeye, 2020).
Myth 2: Benzodiazepines can be safely used to come down from a stimulant high
- Individuals started a trend when they will use a stimulant to get high and then take a benzo to come down from the high. The misconception from individuals is that benzos are actually safe to use for this particular purpose. Still, the use of benzodiazepines to counteract a high can lead to dangerous drug intake patterns (Buckeye, 2020).
Myth 3: Benzodiazepines are not addictive
- Long-term use of benzodiazepines results in chemical changes in the brain that can cause physical dependence on the medication (Buckeye, 2020). Stopping 'cold-turkey' on benzodiazepines isn't easy. This can cause serious side effects; medical intervention is needed when someone wants to stop taking benzodiazepines (Buckeye, 2020).
Buckeye. (2020). Benzodiazepines: Creating killing combinations. https://buckeyerecoverynetwork.com/benzodiazepines/
Juergens, J. (2019, July 9). College benzodiazepines abuse. Rehab Spot. https://www.rehabspot.com/benzodiazepines/who-addiction-affects/college/
Marks, T. (2019, October 23). Benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal - how to avoid this. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKpz91hYkvU
Pfizer. (2019, October 3). A warning for parents about the abuse of benzodiazepines by teens and young adults. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emF9EdjJfW0
Rethink Mental Illness. (2021). Benzodiazepines. https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/medications/benzodiazepines/
Vestal, C. (2018, July 18). These pills could be the next U.S. drug epidemic, Public health officials say. PEW. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/07/18/these-pills-could-be-next-us-drug-epidemic-public-health-officials-say
Williams, P., J. (2014, September 22). College of tomorrow: The changing demographics of the student body. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/news/college-of-tomorrow/articles/2014/09/22/college-of-tomorrow-the-changing-demographics-of-the-student-body
Cortney,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very organized, and thoroughly discussed the perspectives of both the general public and college students towards the use of Benzodiazepines. Since I do not know much about this substance, your blog was very informative and taught me a lot of new things. For one, I really liked learning how the substance is viewed as safe and non-addictive by both the larger population as well as doctors. On the flip side, I think that your description of the perspectives of college students just shows how consequences of the substance are not even thought about. Another thing I really enjoyed about your blog was how you incorporated three different myths about Benzodiazepines. You not only highlighted these false conceptions but also made sure to use supporting evidence to dispute them. One of the myths that surprised me the most was that some believe that the substance can be safely used to come down from a high. It's interesting to see how some may believe taking one drug to relieve the symptoms of another would be safe and reasonable. Just like you stated, it is very unsafe to use two drugs at once, let alone either one on its own. Overall, I really was excited to learn about the substance, and you did a great job at making sure descriptions were clear, and fully supported with evidence.