Last updated : December 16, 2024
Mixing prescription medication can cause dangerous and sometimes lethal results to occur. One of the most fatal drug combinations that an individual can take is combining pain pills with Benzodiazopines. Reports have shown that among the overdose deaths that have involved opioids, the most common prescription medications that were taken along with pain pills were benzos. A 2010 study showed that more than 12 million people had reported taking prescription pain pills non-medically. This means that they were able to obtain the medication without a prescription. The misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers were the cause of more than 400,000 emergency room visits in the year 2009. In just five years time, that number has nearly doubled. And the CDC in Atlanta has reported that drug related deaths due to prescription drug overdose has never been higher.
The Importance of Certified Drug Testing
With drug use being so common in the United States, it is imperative that businesses take action and require regular routine drug tests to be performed within their company. This type of action would not only ensure that their employees are arriving to work each day with a stable frame of mind, but it would also help protect the company itself if a customer or other employees were to become in danger. USA Mobile Drug Testing takes an assertive approach to ensure regulatory compliance while also providing the flexibility that is needed for non-regulated companies and organizations that require on-site testing.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, also known as Benzos are a class of psychoactive drugs that are commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia and a wide range of other mental conditions. They are among some of the most widely prescribed medication is the United States. They are also one of the most abused prescription drugs in the nation. Benzos are sedatives that can also work as a hypnotic drug. They can be used to relieve anxiety, as an anticonvulsant and as a muscle relaxer. They work by enhancing the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA within the brain that is responsible for reducing the neurons that cause stress and anxiety.
While short-term use of benzos is usually safe among most patients, the long term use of this drug can be very controversial due to the potential dependence, tolerance level and other negative effects. There are many different types of benzos available by prescription that all have different potencies and speeds in which they are metabolized by the body.
List of Commonly Prescribed Benzodiazepines
- Xanax
- Lectopam
- Lendormin
- Librium
- Klonopin
- Tranxene
- Clozan
- Sepazon
- Valium
- ProSom
- Etilaam
- Rohypnol
- Dalmane
- Somnovit
- Ativan
- Dormicum
- Alodorm
- Seresta
- Restoril
Studies have shown that the prolonged use of this drug can cause an increased risk of dementia with seniors over the age of 65. Long term use of benzos can also result in the physical dependence of the drug which will often lead to prescription drug abuse. Side effects of benzodiazepine usage include drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, vision problems, trembling, impaired coordination, headaches and feelings of depression.
What Can USAMDT Offer Your Business?
USA Mobile Drug Testing is the only company in the nation that is able to guarantee that its testing staff has been fully trained and certified to carry out a variety of drug testing procedures. These staff members are able to perform urine, hair and saliva drug test specimen collection, administer alcohol screenings and confirmation tests, recognize the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse and collect DNA samples when needed. All USAMDT representatives that visit your place of business for drug screening purposes has completed the necessary comprehensive certification program that exceeds all training requirements set forth by the DOT, as well as state and federal regulations.
USAMDT is available to provide their services to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as part of their drug free workplace program. This special program offers more than just routine drug testing for your employees. With this customized program, you get to team up with an expert who can help you tailor a drug free workplace program that will meet the specific needs of your own particular company.
As a business owner, it is very likely that you already know how drug abuse can have a negative effect on your everyday operations. USAMDT can help you to decrease your risks by coming up with a customized program to help prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol within your organization.