The consumption of tranquilizers in women is widespread and higher than in men. The latest report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) confirmed that Spain was the country where the most tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, are consumed. Between 2019 and 2020, the increase was more than six points. This factor is explained by taking into account the pandemic situation that was experienced. Data provided by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) revealed that in 2021, 93 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants were consumed.
Quitting benzodiazepines without professional help is complicated. At CCAdicciones we have a specific treatment to be able to live without depending on any medication.
Benzodiazepine consumption in women
As a general rule, men show a higher percentage of substance consumption. However, in the case of tranquilizers, this trend is not followed and the opposite occurs: consumption is higher in women. The latest available data from the 2017 National Health Survey shows that the profile that consumes the most tranquilizers is people over 65: 25%, which is more than 2.3 million people, had consumed them. Among the elderly, women are the main consumers, 34.1% compared to 15.4%. Therefore, older women show excessive consumption of tranquilizing drugs.
The consumption of tranquilizers is more associated with women, and consumption data confirms this. Why is there higher consumption in their case? Because they are more prone to suffering from anxiety, depression, or insomnia. As a result, the prescription of pills to try to deal with these problems is higher in women. Furthermore, there is also an explanation related to a gender bias that links women to more vulnerable conditions. Domestic violence, caregiving overload, responsibilities, balancing professional and personal life, and motherhood… Driven by their conditions, they begin to consume tranquilizers and end up developing an addiction because they need to consume benzodiazepines to face their daily lives.
Stigmatization of women in addictions
Addiction is a disease full of prejudices on the part of society. However, in the case of addicted women, the stigmatization is even greater. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, approximately 85% of people in treatment for drug addiction are men. This data is not caused because women do not need detoxification treatment. Rather, it evidences that it is even harder for women to ask for help and that they have more difficulties starting a drug addiction treatment. The fear and shame of feeling judged causes them to enter a spiral of silent consumption from which it is difficult to escape.
Benzodiazepine addiction
Effects of tranquilizers
Benzodiazepines are a medication that can be consumed with a medical prescription. They are pills used to treat insomnia or anxiety because they act on the central nervous system. They cause a tranquilizing effect because they slow it down. They are also used as muscle relaxants or anticonvulsants.
Although they are useful at specific times because they help solve certain problems, misuse will have disastrous consequences for the consumer’s health. Extending the consumption period indicated by the medical professional, increasing the dose by one’s own decision, or directly self-medicating will contribute to causing addiction. The addicted person will have a dependence on these drugs, which will generate dependence and tolerance; they will need a higher dose each time to feel the same effects. If they stop consuming abruptly, they will experience withdrawal syndrome. Some of the side effects that excessive consumption of tranquilizers can cause are:
- Memory gaps
- Generalized fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Worsening of depression
- Inducing a depressive mood
- Incoordination of movements
- Physical and muscular weakness
- Impairment of attention and concentration capacity
Withdrawal syndrome
Benzodiazepines should always be taken under medical prescription and for short periods of time, as they have a strong addictive power. If a person consumes benzodiazepines for a long time and suddenly stops their consumption, they will most likely experience what is known as withdrawal syndrome. Some of the reactions are: difficulty falling asleep, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, anxiety, nervousness… To alleviate the effects of withdrawal syndrome as much as possible, the most effective way is to have the supervision of addiction experts.
Symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction
The consumption of benzodiazepines, as with all addictions, is difficult to detect and recognize at first. In the case of abusing tranquilizers, the identification of the addiction is even more difficult. It is a completely legal substance, a medicine, and mostly they are pills prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, it may lead one to think that the situation is under control, but there is what is known as prescription drug abuse.
How to detect an addiction to benzodiazepines? How to know if someone is addicted to these pills? Detecting an addiction in time is key because starting treatment as soon as possible will facilitate the recovery process. The more time passes, the greater the addiction will be. There are some symptoms that warn of an addiction to benzodiazepines. For example, not following the medical professional’s recommendations, self-medicating, having the need to always carry many pills, suffering from mood swings… These are some of the most common signs to recognize an addiction to benzodiazepines.
Addiction treatment at CCAdicciones
In the face of tranquilizer consumption in women, it will be necessary to find a solution. It is never too late to start a detoxification treatment and for the person to learn to live better. At CCAdicciones we have expert professionals in the disease of addiction who will offer the best treatment for each addiction, circumstance, and personal situation. Furthermore, you will have the security of having the maximum possible guarantees to stop consuming safely and control the effects of withdrawal syndrome.
There is always a way out
The purpose of CCAdicciones is to return control of their life to the patient. To ensure they stop depending on a substance or to prevent them from having addictive behavior. We provide our patients with a medical team and services to facilitate the total abandonment of benzodiazepines. For the consumption of tranquilizers in women, there is always a way out, and the 86% recovery rate of our center proves it.
