Benzodiazepines, also called Benzos, belong to the prescription sedative class of drugs and are highly addictive. Detox and withdrawals from benzos can be extremely dangerous or even fatal if not monitored by medical professionals and in a controlled environment.
At Pacific Breeze Recovery our trained addiction staff and medical professionals offer a safe and effective detox program for those suffering from a benzo addiction. Our tranquil inpatient addiction rehab center provides you or your loved one with the attention necessary when a user wants to quit and ensures the highest quality of care.
What is a Benzodiazepine?
Benzodiazepines or benzos are a class of medications that work in the central nervous system. They work by targeting and binding to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter in the brain. This interaction slows down the central nervous system resulting in a calming and sedating effect, which brings the effects of relaxation, and sedation and helps relieve anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, panic disorder, and alcohol withdrawal. Benzos generally are not recommended to be used for long-term use, as they lead to physical dependence, where abruptly stopping the medication can cause intense withdrawal symptoms and become very dangerous. When someone is trying to quit it is extremely important to be tapered off properly with medical professionals and addiction specialists monitoring the person closely.
Common benzos that are abused are:
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Klonopin
When addicted to benzos the withdrawal symptoms can feel impossible, as they impact both your mind and body. The severity of these symptoms depends on the dosage amounts and the duration of the drug used by the person. At Pacific Breeze Recovery our Addictionologists and specialized staff are readily available to help you through the detox phase where your safety and comfort are our top priority.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms?
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression Confusion
- Insomnia
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory loss
- Convulsions
- Seizures
What is the Timeline of Benzo Withdrawal?
Symptoms can begin 1 hour after consumption of the drug; however, the first 3-4 days are when you can feel the full effects of withdrawals. This happens due to the body and brain fighting to get rid of the benzodiazepines. Our Addictionologists use taper methods, which involve gradually weaning off benzo usage during the detox phase. This allows your body to get rid of the benzos slowly and helps remove the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. We use the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) approach when needed to help manage those with severe withdrawal symptoms to ensure comfort during detox. This method allows the recovery process to be much more effective and provides a safe environment.
The next 5-7 days the symptoms begin to be less intense. A person may feel severe fatigue and have cravings, but the worst of the symptoms are typically over.
Now that the first week is over and the physical withdrawal symptoms have subsided, in the next week or so a person may start to feel psychological symptoms. These can involve irritability, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
The following 3-4 weeks your withdrawal symptoms become manageable and by the time you get to this point the drug should be completely out of your body.
Our team of professionals at Pacific Breeze Recovery understands the difficulties one may face when addicted to benzodiazepines.
Our addictionologists specialize in treating those addicted to benzos and design individualized treatment plans with medications, along with our trained licensed therapists who have the knowledge of evidence-based theories when dealing with mental behaviors in a safe and controlled environment.
At Pacific Breeze Recovery our inpatient treatment facility offers programs to help treat Benzodiazepine addiction and get you back on track to a drug-free life. Our team of medical professionals and addiction specialists are here for you or your loved one to help acquire all the skills necessary to continue living in sobriety.
Take your life back and call us today!
