Many people rely on benzodiazepines for years to help them deal with anxiety, insomnia, seizures, or other conditions for which this class of sedative drugs has been prescribed. It is not uncommon for these users to become physically dependent. The line between dependence and addiction is a fine one. In either case, if the dosage is reduced or the drug is withheld or unavailable, there will be withdrawal symptoms. Benzo withdrawal should be undertaken only with medical supervision, followed by rehab.
If you are looking for benzo abuse treatment in New Harmony, Utah, Painted Desert Recovery is a women-only facility that offers both evidence-based traditional therapies and innovative therapeutic approaches that are experience-based. Reach out to Painted Desert to learn about the signs of benzo withdrawal, how long benzo addiction treatment takes, and what you can do to get started on your recovery from benzo addiction. Call us at 844.540.0357 or use our online form to connect with one of our staff.
What Is Benzo Addiction?
For many, using prescription benzodiazepines is a way to cope with daily life. They believe that stopping will make functioning impossible. Others seek the downer effects of benzos to self-medicate or detach from the stresses of life. Addiction to benzos can develop quickly or over years of continued use.
As a psychoactive drug, benzodiazepines interact within the brain. They connect to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. This system suppresses the actions of other neurotransmitters, such as those that create fight-or-flight responses. It also mutes the body’s reaction to external stimuli. Thus, someone using benzos will feel less anxiety or panic and greater physical and mental relaxation. With higher or more frequent doses, they can be zoned out, lethargic, or unable to focus.
When someone is addicted, they depend on the benzo to activate the brain to sedate or depress their neurological responses. Without the drug, they may experience ongoing anxiety, agitation, or mania.
What Are Some Common Benzos That People Abuse?
Benzos have been somewhat normalized in our culture, harking back to the introduction of Librium and Valium in the 1950s. Many people you know probably had a prescription for one of these tranquilizers at some point in their lives. These drugs have a significant medical role but can also be dangerous. Anyone can become addicted to benzos—how long it takes to develop it depends on many factors.
The generic and prescription names for most of the commonly used benzodiazepines are:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam (Klonipin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Temazepam (Restoril)
If you or someone you love has been using one of the drugs listed above for a long time, seems anxious when the prescription is about to run out, or shows signs of withdrawal if they miss a day, consider looking into benzo addiction rehab.
What Are the Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal?
Benzo withdrawal symptoms are physical, behavioral, and psychological and range from moderate to severe. No matter the intensity of the withdrawal symptom, they can be safely managed in a supervised detox center where you will be taken care of and provided a safe setting for recovery.
1. Benzo Cravings
Intense cravings are the most common withdrawal symptom for any addictive substance detox process. Sometimes, these cravings can lead to relapsing.
2. Behavioral Symptoms
Benzo withdrawal symptoms that affect behavior include:
- Sensory sensitivity
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nightmares and sleep dysfunction
Sensory sensitivity can lead to someone not liking bright lighting, loud noises, strong smells, and even other people touching them.
3. Physical Symptoms
Physical benzo withdrawal symptoms include:
- Stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting
- Headaches
- Tinnitus
- Tingling hands and feet
- Face and neck pain
- Sore tongue and eyes
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Twitching muscles
- Seizures
Tinnitus involves a ringing in the ears that’s not an actual sound that anyone nearby can hear.
4. Emotional Symptoms
When going through benzo withdrawal, people can sometimes feel:
- Detachment from surroundings or reality
- That their skin is burning
Many emotional symptoms tie in with psychological symptoms.
5. Psychological Symptoms
Many mental health issues can arise during benzo withdrawal, like:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Agoraphobia
Some of these symptoms can be separate co-occurring disorders that a medical team must treat along with benzo addiction.
Consider Painted Desert Recovery’s Benzo Addiction Treatment Program
Find out how you can leave benzo dependence and addiction behind you on the road to recovery. Our women’s rehab center in New Harmony, Utah, is a destination for women seeking the best of traditional addiction therapies combined with innovative, holistic approaches.
Reach out to us to discuss treatment for benzo addiction, symptoms of benzo withdrawal, and how to best manage them. Use this online form or call us at 844.540.0357 to speak directly to one of our staff.
