Benzodiazepine abuse develops from the long term use and eventual misuse of this class of drug. The addiction may entail psychological as well as physical dependence. This addiction is characterized by the experience of withdrawal symptoms when there is a decrease in the plasma levels of the benzodiazepines because of abrupt withdrawal or even a gradual reduction in dosage.
Physical dependence on benzodiazepines occurs when the person that is using or abusing the drugs becomes tolerant to them. Tolerance refers to the condition in which the body becomes used to the effects of the drug. The patient will thus be forced to take unusually high doses of the drug in order to feel any effect.
