When it comes to various illnesses, qualified physicians will often prescribe medications that will fit a patient’s needs. There are some medications that can help relieve physical pain, while other medications will be intended for a person’s mental health.
This is why it’s best to understand the difference between various substances.
Mallard Lake Detox Center is one of Houston’s leading drug and alcohol luxury rehabilitation facilities, and we’re always looking for ways to educate our readers when it comes to addiction. In this article, we’ll help you understand the difference between benzos and opiates.
What We Know About Benzos
Benzodiazepines are more commonly referred to as “benzos,” and this is a type of depressant that targets a person’s central nervous system. This drug can reduce our brain activity and it can also signal pain from the body to the brain.
This drug is often called a “downer,” and it’s often prescribed to people suffering from panic attacks or anxiety-related symptoms.
The following are some of the most common side effects of benzos:
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Respiratory Depression
- Weight Gain
- Memory Impairment
- Tolerance and Addiction
Like most drugs, benzos could be highly addictive when used and abused. This is why this drug should never be used without a prescription.
What We Know About Opiates
Unlike benzos, opiates are types of painkillers that can treat mild to chronic pain. This drug can bring a sense of calmness to a person, and this is the thing that makes individuals hooked.
Opiates are naturally derived from the poppy plant, just like morphine, codeine, and heroin. These drugs are also falling under the umbrella term of “opioids,” which are classified as natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic versions.
When a person develops a tolerance for opiates, this is when a full-blown addiction can occur.
The most common side effects of opiates are the following:
- Euphoria
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Cardiac Arrest
- Dry Mouth
- Chest Pain
- Respiratory Depression
- Abdominal Pain
- Tolerance and Addiction
Perhaps the most severe side effect is overdose since a person can overdose from opiates when they take too much of this drug.
Differentiating Benzos and Opiates
While these two drugs might seem similar as they’re both highly addictive, they do vary in side effects and they have different uses (when used correctly).
Some of the most common differences between benzos and opiates are the following:
- Benzos are primarily used when it comes to treating anxiety symptoms and seizures while opiates are used to treat pain.
- Both drugs produce “highs” differently; opiates will attach to opioid receptors while benzos will activate an inhibitory neurotransmitter that’s called “GABA.”
We acknowledge that it’s never easy getting addicted to these types of drugs, and this is why our team at Mallard Lake Detox Center is always looking for ways to help those who want to reclaim their lives back and regain sobriety.
Here at Mallard Lake Detox Center, we offer countless programs like Medical Detox, Medically-Assisted Detox, and Drug Addiction Treatment among others. Know that you’ll be in safe hands at our luxury rehabilitation facility in Houston.
So what’s stopping you from living your best sober life today? Call us for more information.