Remember, detoxification is not the end but the beginning of a pathway to a healthier life, supported by ongoing care and recovery programs. Benzodiazepines (or “benzos”) stand among the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and insomnia. Unfortunately, they also double as being among the most difficult to stop using.

Benzo Withdrawal Timeline

These excitatorytransmitters play important roles in memory, muscle movement, alertness,emotional regulation, heart rate and blood pressure and hormonal secretions. When taking benzodiazepines you quiet your whole brain’s activity level.This reduces anxiety and insomnia, but also causes changes to many of thebody’s essential systems. This is why taking chronic high doses of benzos cancause such a variety of health problems and why people experience such a widearray of withdrawal symptoms after stopping. Benzo withdrawal at a benzo addiction benzodiazepine withdrawal rehab in Hanover, PA allows you to taper off the drug while receiving proper medical care. It is also a safer and more effective way to end drug abuse instead of quitting “cold turkey” and risking a relapse or an overdose.

• Other common risk factors for benzo addiction include genetics, environment, peer pressure, experimenting with drugs at an early age, and a history of trauma.
• Think of the nervous system as a complex electrical grid that’s grown accustomed to a specific power supply.
• Researchers say benzo addiction is becoming its own major epidemic being overlooked as the nation continues fighting its ongoing opioid crisis.
• Long-term treatment after benzodiazepine withdrawal will depend on your reasons for taking them in the first place and your reasons for quitting.
• There exists a multitude of approaches to mitigate withdrawal symptoms during the course of withdrawing from benzodiazepines.
• As a result of this, it tends to quiet down or calm the impulses sent within the brain between these transmitters.
• You’re likely searching for answers about the challenging symptoms, how long they’ll last, and how to effectively manage them.

What to Expect During a Professional Drug Detox Program

If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms during tapering, tell your doctor so they Alcohol Use Disorder can adjust your care plan as needed. The detox itself will happen with high levels of medical support and round-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety and comfort. This type of professional supervised medical detox can significantly reduce the risk of you having severe withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures) and relapse. It’s also helpful to have psychological support to manage cravings and PAWS. Withdrawal from this type of prescription drug can be severe and even life-threatening, so a medically supervised drug detox is essential to prevent dangerous complications.

CBT for addressing fear and anxiety in recovery

For example, some people may experience depression and suicidal thoughts. Medical support can help with symptom management and reduce the risk of relapse. Many individuals benefit from further treatment, such as residential rehab or therapy, to address the root causes of addiction and prevent relapse. Basically, this is a tough process, and if you’re havingtrouble coping with your withdrawal symptoms, it’s entirely reasonable to seekout extra helpful support and advice.

• Because it creates this type of euphoria and calming and feel-good result, benzos are highly addictive.
• Identifying these risk factors aids in pinpointing susceptible individuals and taking early action to prevent the development of heroin dependency.
• Depending on which benzodiazepine you are currently taking, your doctor may want to switch you to a different one before your taper begins.
• Discover the essential steps to sober living, from acceptance to building a support network.
• Those addicted to longer-acting benzodiazepines usually notice these initial withdrawal signs during this time.

The risk of these types of withdrawal symptoms is so high when coming off benzos that people shouldn’t try to detox outside of a medical facility. Regular check-ins with healthcare providers ensure that any post-acute withdrawal symptoms are managed effectively. These sessions can also reinforce the skills learned during therapy, aiding in a smoother transition back into everyday life. Abuse includes taking the drug for pleasure, smoking, snorting, or injecting it into a vein to quickly experience the effects.

• Diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine, is the most common choice for dose tapering.
• Severe anxiety, panic attacks, nausea, tremors, and high blood pressure are common.
• Tremors and shaking are generally caused by problems in neurological function such as those that stem from benzo abuse and withdrawal.
• Embarking on the difficult journey of benzodiazepine withdrawal requires fortitude.

The Difference Between Opiate Detox and Opioid Detox

• In such cases, medical professionals might recommend temporary alternative medications, symptom management pharmaceuticals or comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
• Benzos work by slowing down the central nervous system, which in turn, can slow down digestive processes to suppress appetite and make people less hungry.
• Detoxification from benzodiazepines carries significant risks, primarily due to the potential for life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
• With a range of treatment options available, individuals struggling with heroin addiction can find the help they need to reclaim their lives.
• Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses over the course of a few weeks or months.

For this reason, it is vital to seek treatment for the root cause behind their benzo usage. Benzos ease symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, but they do not treat the underlying causes of either. Therefore, if someone stops using them while their source of stress is still present or without having sought additional treatment, they may fall down the same path as before.