Benzodiazepine Detox
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Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs, prescribed by doctors to patients for a range of medical issues. You may be prescribed benzodiazepines for generalized anxiety disorder, sleeping disorders, and more.
Some forms of benzodiazepine include diazepam/ Valium, alprazolam/ Xanax, and etizolam. The drugs work by impacting your central nervous system. They affect the GABA receptors in your brain, which is why you feel so relaxed after taking them.
Unfortunately, benzodiazepines, like many other prescription medications, can be addictive. The first stage of addiction treatment involves detoxification – but what exactly is a benzo detox? And what does it entail? And more important, how can you find the right detox plan for you?
At Help4Addiction, our addiction experts are here to help. Continue reading to learn more about benzodiazepine addiction, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and what to expect from a benzodiazepine detox. We’ll also be giving you the information you need to begin your recovery journey.
What is Benzodiazepine Addiction?
When you take prescription drugs, including benzos, for a long period, you can begin to develop a tolerance – meaning you’ll need to take a higher dose to feel the same effect. This can lead to you developing physical dependence.
Addiction generally refers to the psychological aspect of addiction, whereas dependence usually refers to the physical dependence on a substance.
Benzodiazepine dependence can affect all areas of your life – not only your physical health and mental health, but your hobbies, career, finances, and relationships.
If you think you have a benzodiazepine addiction, the first course of action should be a drug detox. Continue reading to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal and detoxification.
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What is Benzodiazepine Abuse?
When you take prescription drugs, including benzos, for a long period, you can begin to develop a tolerance – meaning you’ll need to take a higher dose to feel the same effect. This can lead to you developing physical dependence.
Addiction generally refers to the psychological aspect of addiction, whereas dependence usually refers to the physical dependence on a substance.
Benzodiazepine dependence can affect all areas of your life – not only your physical health and mental health, but your hobbies, career, finances, and relationships.
If you think you have a benzodiazepine addiction, the first course of action should be a drug detox. Continue reading to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal and detoxification.
What is Benzodiazepine Abuse?
Prescription drugs can be abused, just other drugs and alcohol. Benzodiazepine abuse can include taking especially high doses or more than prescribed, taking somebody else’s prescription, and mixing with other drugs or alcohol.
Essentially, benzo abuse is when you take your prescription in any way other than prescribed by a doctor.
Benzodiazepine abuse appears to be high among cocaine users and heroin users – they appear to be more likely to abuse benzos, along with those who are taking other opioids.
There are many risks to consider when abusing benzodiazepines. For example, abusing drugs can increase the risk of you developing a drug addiction, which can be difficult to overcome. Likewise, it increases the risk of having an overdose. Read on to learn more.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Taking a dose of benzodiazepine medication that is too high can increase the risk of an overdose, as can mixing your prescription with alcohol or other drugs.
Taking ‘street benzos’ can also increase the risk of having a drug overdose. These are illicitly sourced drugs that have not been prescribed by a doctor and can be fatal.
Some signs to look out for that indicate a benzodiazepine overdose include:
- Unusual or extreme drowsiness
- Poor coordination
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Trouble breathing/ respiratory depression
A benzodiazepine overdose can also lead to a coma, and ultimately, death. This is why it’s so important to seek medical treatment if you recognise these signs in yourself or somebody else.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Explained
Benzodiazepine withdrawal (benzo withdrawal) occurs when you stop taking the drug or drastically lower your dose and you have a physical dependence on it.
Often, symptoms are more severe if you have been taking a benzodiazepine for a long time, or you are used to a high dose.
Symptoms can be uncomfortable – not only can you experience benzo cravings, but you may also experience a range of psychological and physical symptoms. Read on to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological – many people experience a combination of the two.
Some common benzo withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Anxiety symptoms and panic attacks
- Depression symptoms
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss and appetite loss
- Sensitivity to light
- Lack of concentration
- Various other symptoms
However, there is also a risk of experiencing severe symptoms of withdrawal – especially if you stop taking them suddenly (the cold turkey method) and you’re used to a high dose.
Some severe withdrawal symptoms include seizures, psychosis, high blood pressure, tremors, and hallucinations.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline
Now you have an understanding of the withdrawal symptoms, let’s discuss the withdrawal timeline.
First of all, the amount of time it takes for the withdrawal symptoms to present can vary from person to person, often depending on the dosage that you’re used to.
They can begin as soon as a few hours after your last dose if you are used to taking benzodiazepines regularly, and are used to a high dose.
The length of the withdrawal process can also vary depending on several factors – for example, the severity of your addiction, your medical history, and your addiction history.
As you begin your drug detox, you’ll start to experience rebound symptoms. This can include anxiety and insomnia and are considered short-lived as they appear within one to four days after your last dose.
Then, you’ll experience full-blown benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. This usually lasts for between 10 and 14 days. This stage may include the worst withdrawal symptoms.
You may also experience the post-acute withdrawal phase – ongoing psychological symptoms that can persist until you receive psychological treatment. If you wish to learn how long rehab takes, check out this informative page.
What is a Prescription Drug Detox?
Detoxification in regard to drug addiction treatment refers to the act of cleansing your body of the drug you’re addicted to. When you’re detoxing from prescription medication such as benzodiazepines, you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you are dependent on the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, and we never recommend that you quit cold turkey if you have a severe dependence on prescription drugs.
Instead, we often recommend a medically-supervised detox. During a medical detox, you will have medical supervision, and you may be given detox medication to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
When exploring your rehab options, you may have come across the terms ‘inpatient’ and ‘outpatient’.
Inpatient rehab is typically recommended for those with a severe addiction. However, if you have a mild dependence, you may prefer to detox from prescription drugs from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you opt for an inpatient detox or an outpatient detox, it’s vital that you have a solid support network – whether it consists of friends, family, or medical professionals.
Detoxing from prescription medication can be tough – but we are here to help at Help4Addiction. Read on to find out how.
Book A Benzodiazepine Detox Today
Now you are familiar with the purpose of detoxification, and what detoxification entails, you’re in a position to begin your detox from ‘benzos’.
At Help4Addiction, we understand that it can be scary beginning your recovery journey, which is why we hope to take the load off by making the arrangements on your behalf.
Whether you’re looking for a private benzodiazepine detox or you wish to detox from prescription medication as an NHS patient, we can help.
If you wish to explore further addiction treatment as part of a larger treatment plan, our team at Help4Addiction can arrange this for you.
We can connect you with the best rehab treatment facility in your local area for you to undergo not only a ‘benzo’ detox but also addiction therapy and secondary treatment too.
Therapy is an integral part of addiction rehab, and can build your strength when recovering from benzodiazepine addiction.
Whether you opt for CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), counselling, group therapy, or any other form of therapy, you’ll likely learn coping strategies and gain a further understanding of your addiction.
Our experts at Help4Addiction can also find the right treatment plan for you if you have a dual diagnosis. This is when you have one or more mental health disorders as well as addiction, co-occurring.
Secondary treatment refers to ongoing support and increases the chances of a successful recovery. This can include telephone support, online support, ongoing counselling, as well as support groups.
Contact us today to get the ball rolling and kickstart your recovery journey through a benzodiazepine rehab.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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