Benzodiazepines Detox

Benzodiazepines are a class of medication prescribed for patients trying to overcome anxiety, avoid panic disorders, or even treat insomnia. The National Institute on Drug Abuse concludes that while benzodiazepines have proved to be extremely effective in helping patients with certain disorders, they are also highly addictive.

Benzos also cause some of the most severe withdrawal symptoms, proving that recovery from this type of addiction is no easy task. Patients often undergo a long and strenuous process to get the substance out of their systems and stop depending on the drug. That is why patients suffering from benzodiazepine addiction must seek treatment in a detox facility rather than attempt to go through the rehabilitation process alone.

In most cases, the benzo withdrawal can last for months. In fact, based on the severity of the symptoms, the rehabilitation process may stretch throughout an entire year or more. Still, the intensity of the withdrawal process depends on a variety of factors:

• The type of benzo to which an individual is addicted. For instance, Xanax is a short-acting drug and causes less intense symptoms that Valium, a much stronger counterpart. Withdrawal from Xanax can last around seven days while those recovering from Valium can experience discomfort for 90 days. Other benzos might cause even harsher effects.
• How long the person has been consuming benzos.
• Any pre-existing physical or mental condition.

Symptoms vary from individual to individual, depending on the factors mentioned above. However, most patients will experience a high degree of pain during their detoxing process. Common detox side effects include:

• Depression (moderate or severe);
• Hypersensitivity;
• Anxiety;
• Memory lapses;
• Heart racing;
• Muscle cramps and twitching;
• Night sweats.

The particularities of benzo detox lie in the manner in which the symptoms appear. The severity of them can vary from one day to the next, despite the patient being under treatment. Benzo withdrawal, in a way, does not get better with time, but the side effect will show sporadically throughout the rehabilitation period.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause certain life-threatening episodes such as seizures, especially if the patient isn’t under medical supervision. Severe withdrawal effects can appear even if the patient has gradually taken smaller dosages, and, in some cases, individuals may experience sub-acute effects for months after rehabilitation.

A Benzo detox involves two main phases:

1. The Acute phase: The substance is flushed out through a variety of methods;
2. The Post-Acute Phase: Doctors treat other long-term side effects. This phase is different for each patient.

A detox center can help a patient through their rehabilitation process. Patients can either choose inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab.

People suffering from mild benzo addiction will choose an outpatient center. That way, they can get the help they need but also continue with their day-to-day activities. However, those with a more severe condition need to enroll in an inpatient center and focus solely on overcoming their addiction. These patients need the constant monitoring and ongoing support of highly specialized professionals to overcome their withdrawal symptoms.

There is no way of ascertaining whether detox clinics help patients recover faster than other methods. However, considering all the possible side effects of benzo withdrawal, it is the safest, and patients have a lower chance of relapsing.

While most patients will gradually lower their dosage up until they are no longer dependent on benzos, an alternative method is to replace them with other drugs that can diminish the severity of the withdrawal symptoms:

1. Buspirone: This med is usually prescribed for patients with anxiety or a history of substance abuse. It does not become addictive and can improve an individual’s mental state. However, its effects are only visible 2-3 weeks after the first dose.
2. Flumazenil: That is the most common drug used to treat benzo overdoses and reduce withdrawal symptoms. It can also be used for rapid detox, but only under medical supervision.

Do not use the cold turkey detox approach when trying to overcome a benzo addiction. The severity of benzo withdrawal poses a great risk to a patient’s life, and the best course of action would be to seek the aid of a detox center. We see every man who lives in our facility as a unique person who is worthy of dignity. It’s this personal touch to addiction treatment that really makes our program shine. Begin your detoxification from benzodiazepines soon. You deserve to live a life of freedom from addiction! (855) 491-7694.

Benzodiazepines are a type of sedatives usually prescribed for alleviating the symptoms of anxiety, panic disorders, muscle pain, and even alcohol withdrawal. Some of the most common benzos include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Although legal, the number of persons addicted to benzodiazepines has tripled from 1998 to 2008. The problem is that building a tolerance to the drug can be extremely easy, and it usually happens without the patient even realizing.

Benzodiazepines withdrawal can be a complicated and painful process. While everyone will experience it differently, one thing is certain: reaching out for help can vastly improve their lives and speed up the recovery process.

How Strong Will Withdrawal Be When I Quit Taking Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines withdrawal can be an uncomfortable and dangerous process. A lot of different factors can interfere with rehabilitation, such as the length of the addiction, the dosage amount, pre-existing health problems, and co-occurring conditions.

Withdrawal can last anywhere from 24 hours to a few days or even a few months. Symptoms usually peak around week two, after which they begin to subside slowly. If left unmanaged, withdrawal can become difficult to control.

What Are the Symptoms of Withdrawal?

Benzodiazepines are typically prescribed to help reduce anxiety, prevent panic disorders or improve sleep. But when people become addicted to them, the withdrawal process can produce similar effects to what they were trying to treat in the first place. Here are the most common benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms.

• Irritability and Emotional Outbursts

The main role of benzodiazepines is to produce a calming effect and slow down the functions of the body. As a result, when someone stops using benzodiazepines they remove the chemicals that used to calm them down. Now, they have to deal with a series of emotions they cannot control, such as obsessive and irrational thoughts, hyperactive behavior or even rage or hysteria.

• Concentration and Memory Problems

Like previously mentioned, benzodiazepines will slow down body functions, and that includes the production of transmitters with a stimulating effect as well. We are talking about transmitters that are crucial for everyday tasks and that are related to coordination, memory, or basic reaction times. Without these transmitters, people can feel like even the smallest tasks, such as speaking, writing, or walking are difficult to perform.

• Body Pain

Aches, pains, soreness, and muscle stiffness are some of the most difficult symptoms to endure. The body physically suffers, and people commonly report intense pain in the neck area, shoulders, arms, or legs. Patients can also experience muscle spasms, twitching, and tremors.

• Sleep Disturbances

Patients that take benzodiazepines usually report sleeping a lot more than usual. However, it’s been shown that most of the time, they are not able to enter the REM cycle, necessary for the brain to function correctly. When people give up benzodiazepines, they also reintroduce the REM cycle in their sleep pattern. As a result, they may wake up several times per night and experience more intense dreams and nightmares.

• Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety and panic attacks are also quite common for those who interrupt benzodiazepines. If a patient took the drug to help with anxiety issues, abstinence would make them even more vulnerable than they were before. Some of the symptoms include shakiness, cold sweats, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or paranoia.

What Withdrawal Symptoms Last the Longest or Show up Later?

Withdrawal symptoms can range in intensity and duration from person to person and depend on many factors. There have been cases when benzodiazepine users experience prolonged withdrawal that lasted several months or even more. These symptoms manifested themselves in the form of sleeping issues, chronic anxiety, and depression.

Can I Detox Faster from Benzodiazepines If I Go to a Detox Facility?

While there is no evidence that undergoing treatment in a detox facility will reduce treatment time, receiving care in a proper place can be the stepping stone towards an easier recovery. Seeking support is important especially in the early stages, and can help prevent a relapse.

What Detox Meds Are Available to Help Manage the Symptoms?

Most addiction treatments focus on behavioral therapy, group and individual counseling, and other types of therapies to help the patients manage their symptoms. However, for severe benzodiazepines withdrawal, some doctors can prescribe phenobarbital, anticonvulsants, sedating antidepressants, or antihypertensive medication. Patients can only take these meds under the strict supervision of professionals.

If you experience any withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines, the first and most important thing anyone should do is consult with a doctor about it or reach out to a recovery center to find out what the next steps should be. It’s best not to take any chances and make sure you are in good, professional hands.