Tolerance & dependence

 

Tolerance

People who are physically dependent on benzodiazepines usually develop tolerance to the drug. That is, they need to take more and more to get the same effect. This can happen very quickly with benzodiazepines. The effectiveness of benzodiazepines used as sleeping pills can wear off after three nights.

Dependence

Dependence on benzodiazepines can be psychological or physical, or both. Dependence can occur after using them for a few weeks or months. The feelings of dependence often bear no relation to the actual size or physical effect of the daily dose taken. Dependency can still develop for people on long-term, low doses.

People who are psychologically dependent feel as though they can't cope without benzodiazepines. They crave the drug and find it very difficult to stop using it.