Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

For example, say you’re tapering off a dose of 20 milligrams (mg) of diazepam (Valium). A very quick taper would involve reducing the dose by 5 mg (25%) each week. People tapering off the same original dosage of medication can have drastically different tapering experiences.

1. Ideally, the person who used the benzodiazepine would disclose important facts, such as the amount recently taken.
2. Acute withdrawal begins after the initial withdrawal symptoms, generally within a few days.
3. According to the classification, these drugs have a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence.
4. When you are physically dependent on a drug, it means your body can’t operate normally without it.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is when the body begins to rid itself of the drug, which can lead to a state of shock. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can result if a person suddenly stops using benzos or drastically reduces use. If withdrawal symptoms become severe, doctors may prescribe other medications. They will make this decision on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type and severity of the symptoms affecting the individual.

This is not only more effective for your recovery process but also safer. Benzo withdrawal can be a stressful process, but it is often necessary for people trying to get themselves off benzodiazepine drugs. In most cases of benzo withdrawal, suddenly stopping the medication is not recommended, as it can be dangerous. Supportive counseling and other targeted therapies or medications may help a person manage the symptoms and improve their quality of life. Practices such as drug tapering or using other drugs to help ease withdrawal may make early withdrawal symptoms milder and more manageable.

Typical duration of detox phases:

Benzos are also prescribed to assist with withdrawal symptom management for those detoxing from alcohol and other drugs. It can be helpful to choose a detox center that will help you transition seamlessly into a residential treatment center when the time is right. Drug detox alone is not considered a treatment for drug dependence and addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends a comprehensive treatment program, including the use of medications during detox to minimize relapse. Usually, the detox program is housed separately from the rehab center, and you will spend the first week or two in the detox facility to stabilize during benzodiazepine withdrawal. There, you will receive medical interventions and management for withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors usually only prescribe these drugs for short-term use because of this risk. It works by blocking the effects of benzos and relieving withdrawal symptoms by attaching to the same pleasure centers in the brain. Benzos are safe and effective when used correctly, but carry a risk of addiction. https://sober-home.org/ If a person develops a dependence on benzos, they might experience withdrawal. The best way to quit benzodiazepines is to avoid withdrawal by asking your doctor to taper down your dose. Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses over the course of a few weeks or months.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

You will know if you need detox by seeking professional medical assistance from a qualified medical provider. Our admissions team would be happy to help advise you as to the best next steps for managing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Treatment generally includes tapering off the drug, often with additional medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and safeguard overall health. Understanding eminem addicted the symptoms, timeline, and treatment options for benzo detox is crucial for effective management and preparation for those undergoing or supporting someone through this complex process. Instead, you should seek out a professional detox center or treatment facility. Inpatient detox typically occurs in a hospital or residential treatment center with a higher level of care.

What Are Benzo’s or Benzodiazepines?

You will be seen daily by a doctor or nurse practitioner and our counseling staff will conduct brief individual sessions. Once you are physically able, our staff will also guide you in completing some recovery work and assignments. When you are admitted to one of our two detox programs, our staff will complete an evaluation to determine your physical and psychiatric needs. If we find that you have complex treatment needs that extend beyond the capabilities of our detox center, we will provide a referral to an acute care facility. Otherwise, we will collaborate with your doctor, family members, and other support individuals to develop a detox and aftercare plan that addresses your needs. Although flumazenil is more often used as an overdose remedy, this fast-acting drug can assist in detox as well.

After a month or so, your brain gets used to sending off more neurotransmitters just so some can get past the benzodiazepine blockade. When benzodiazepines attach to your neurons, they invite a bunch of chloride ions inside. These ions change the neuron’s electrical charge, so it has to work much harder to activate and send signals. Among respondents whose symptoms lasted months or years, over half said caffeine or alcohol worsened their PAWS symptoms.

Symptoms will be milder than acute withdrawal and they can disappear for weeks at a time. We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox.

Severe symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be prevented by gradually tapering the dosage of a person’s benzodiazepine drug over the course of several weeks. Seeking out a detox program for benzodiazepine withdrawal is highly recommended for anyone who’s taken benzodiazepines (benzos) for a very long time. There are three possible phases for benzo withdrawals, each with an estimated timeline. A person should always withdraw from benzos under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They should never quit benzos suddenly without first consulting a professional and developing a plan with them.