Benzodiazepine dependence

Common card · No. 278628

Benzodiazepine dependence (BZD dependence) defines a situation in which one has developed one or more of either tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, drug seeking behaviors, such as continued use despite harmful effects, and maladaptive pattern of substance use, according to the DSM-IV. In the case of benzodiazepine dependence, the continued use seems to be typically associated with the avoidance of unpleasant withdrawal reaction rather than with the pleasurable effects of the drug. Benzodiazepine dependence develops with long-term use, even at low therapeutic doses, often without the described drug seeking behavior and tolerance. Addiction consists of people misusing or craving the drug, not to relieve withdrawal symptoms, but to experience its euphoric or intoxicating effects. It is necessary to distinguish between addiction to and abuse of benzodiazepines, and physical dependence on them. The increased GABA inhibition on the neural systems caused by benzodiazepines is counteracted by the body...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Nsaum75, CC BY-SA 3.0