Key takeaways
- Opioids and benzodiazepines can be effective treatments for certain conditions, but they carry serious risks and should be used exactly as prescribed.
- Taking opioids and benzodiazepines together can increase the risk of drowsiness, slowed breathing, falls, overdose, and other serious side effects.
- Consider asking your healthcare provider questions about why a medication is being recommended, how long you'll need it, and if alternatives may be available.
- Keep your healthcare provider informed about any new medications, supplements, or changes in your health.
Opioids and benzodiazepines are prescription medications that can help manage pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other health conditions, but they require careful use. Understanding how these medications work, discussing risks and alternatives with your healthcare provider, and regularly reviewing your treatment plan can help reduce the risk of side effects, dependence, and overdose.
Opioids and benzodiazepines are powerful prescription medications. If you take one or both, it’s important to learn how to safely use them.
Learn more about what they are, what they treat, and why you should talk with your medical provider about your treatment plan if you take them.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a type of drug, usually a prescription medication, used for pain relief. Sometimes they’re called narcotics.
Medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol are prescription opioids.
They are prescribed to people with certain pain conditions, like chronic back pain, chronic headaches, those with pain from an accident or injury, and those recovering from surgery, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.1
What are benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative. They are prescribed by doctors and medical providers for those with anxiety, insomnia, or muscle stiffness, the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains.2
Some of the common benzodiazepines include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam.
What to do if your provider recommends an opioid and/or a benzodiazepine
Typically, if your medical provider is recommending you take either an opioid or benzodiazepine (or both), they believe it will help you. But with any prescription or treatment, it’s important to ask questions about why they recommend it and if there are other options available.
If they recommend either a benzodiazepine or opioid (or both), consider asking your provider the following questions to help you understand your treatment:
- Why do you think this prescription medication is best for me?
- How long do you think I’ll be taking this medication?
- What are some signs that indicate I should begin decreasing or ending my dosage?
- If I’m using it long-term, can we establish a strategy for tapering off?
- Are there alternative therapies for managing my discomfort or pain?
Many times, there are alternative medications or treatments that can help your symptoms. For pain, some alternatives to opioids could be any of these treatments:
- Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol®
- Ibuprofen, including Motrin® or Advil®
- Naproxen, commonly known as Aleve®
- Physical therapy sessions
- Therapeutic stretching, exercise, or heat and ice application
- Behavioral therapy or stress management techniques for long-term pain
- Additional non-opioid therapeutic alternatives
If your provider recommends a benzodiazepine, some alternate treatments to ask about may be:
- Therapy
- Over-the-counter sleep aids (for insomnia)
- Beta blockers (for anxiety)
- Antidepressants (for anxiety and panic disorders)
- Other anxiety medications
- Antihistamines
- Exercise
- Sleep hygiene
- Additional non-benzodiazepine therapeutic alternatives
Having in-depth conversations with your provider can help you understand the risks and benefits of your treatment. Together, you can determine what’s best for your needs.
Taking benzodiazepines and opioids together
Some people have more than one condition that might warrant a prescription opioid and benzodiazepine. Taking both medications can increase your risk of overdose, especially in older adults.2 These types of medications can cause:
- Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness
- Confusion or memory problems
- Dizziness
- Falls and fractures
- Slowed breathing
- Dependence or withdrawal with long-term use
Taking an opioid together with a benzodiazepine can also increase the risk of slowed breathing, overdose, and serious injury. Never start, stop, or combine these medications without talking to your healthcare provider.
What to do if something in your treatment changes
Sometimes things will change during treatments. If you’re seeing another healthcare provider who prescribes you another medication, or you start a new treatment, or you try out a new supplement, talk to your provider.
Opioids and benzodiazepines can have serious interactions with other medications and supplements, so it’s important to always let your provider know if anything changes.
Long-term opioid or benzodiazepine use
Taking either opioids or benzodiazepines or both long-term can be appropriate for some people. For others, these medications are a good treatment for a short period of time.
Ultimately, you want your treatment to be effective without increasing your risk of opioid use disorder (OUD). According to the Centers for Disease Control, “OUD is a problematic pattern of opioid use that can cause significant impairment or distress.”2 Some people with this disorder will have trouble with work, school, or home responsibilities.
If you’ve been taking these medication(s) for an extended period of time, consider talking to your healthcare provider about your treatment plan and whether you still need the medication. They may recommend a reduced dose or a gradual tapering plan to stop taking the medications.
Sometimes, those who take opioids or benzodiazepines are given naloxone. This medication can reverse an opioid overdose in an emergency. Consider asking your provider if this is something you should have on hand.
How to dispose of old medications safely
If you stop taking any type of medication—especially controlled substances like opioids or benzodiazepines—it’s important to dispose of unused doses safely. Don’t flush anything down the toilet. Instead, take them to a drug drop-off location near you.
To find a location, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website and search using your zip code.
Your health and safety is a team effort
When you need treatment that may require opioids and/or benzodiazepines, you and your provider should work as a team. Remember to ask questions about your treatment plan and keep your provider updated about any side effects or changes in your routine.
Select Health members can find a provider online or by calling Member Advocates at 800-515-2220 (TTY:711).
If you need a new health insurance plan to access to high-quality healthcare, browse our website for plan options. Select Health offers individual and family plans, employer plans, government plans and more.
Opioids, often used to reduce or treat pain, work by blocking pain signals in the brain. They also release a large amount of dopamine throughout the body. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains this release makes you want to repeat the experience by taking more of the medication.3
Adderall and other prescription stimulants are not opioids. They are both controlled substances that can cause dependence or addiction.4
Yes, opioids are depressants. They can cause drowsiness, mental confusion, and suppress breathing.3
No, benzodiazepines are not an opiate, but they do have many of the same effects on the body. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, they are also a depressant, so they can cause sedation, impairment, and suppress breathing.5
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience, but Select Health does not endorse the third-party sites, information, or services.
The content included here is for your information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, this information does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038 weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.
Sources
1. What Are Opioids, American Society of Anesthesiologists,
2. Preventing Opioid Use Disorder, Centers for Disease Control, 2024
3. Prescription Opioids DrugFacts, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021
4. Drug Scheduling, Drug Enforcement Administration
5. Benzodiazepines and Opioids, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022
Related Articles
