Benzo Withdrawal Timeline & Recovery Guide

A popular way to begin a benzodiazepine detox is through tapering, which involvesgradually weaning off of benzo usage. It is recommended to conduct this method alongside a doctor so that safe amounts are removed each week. This way, your body has a chance to rid itself of benzos slowly, and the withdrawal symptoms will not be as intense. Valium is a benzodiazepine drug prescribed for anxiety disorders and sleep issues, but can also lead to dependence & Valium addiction.

Common Uses

Benzo addiction may cause behavioral health issues and life-threatening symptoms. Substance abuse treatment is within reach for yourself or a loved one who may be using benzos. Additionally, support from family, friends, or a therapist can be helpful during this time. Support groups can also provide a safe and non-judgmental space to share experiences and learn from others going through similar challenges. Hence, patients become progressively tight and irritable with the lack of regular dosages and psychologically dependent on this simple means of stress release.

Tapering vs. abrupt cessation

Their withdrawal creates a “stimulus rebound,” increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and mental overactivity. Combining benzodiazepines with other depressants or prescription drug misuse raises the risk of addiction, relapse, and life-threatening side effects during detox. Disrupting this balance benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms through sudden withdrawal can lead to serious effects like tachycardia, nerve hypersensitivity, and even catatonia in severe cases.

Dependence development and risks

More severe reactions or withdrawals may also be more likely when taking strong drugs either for long periods or alongside other types of medications. The main cause of the symptoms of benzo withdrawal is the sudden reduction of dopamine in the brain. Dependence appears to occur in a similar way to how it does with other addictive drugs.

Behavioral therapy is a key component of benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment. Patients often benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), group sessions, and stress reduction practices. Therapy addresses underlying issues such as panic, insomnia, or depression that may have led to medication misuse. Benzodiazepine withdrawal carries serious health risks, particularly for those with co-occurring substance abuse or alcohol dependence. Withdrawal can aggravate conditions like depression, suicidal ideation, or agoraphobia. In some cases, life-threatening seizures may occur, especially if the individual has a history of high-dose use or other central nervous system depressants.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

In terms of anxiety, BZDs are used as a bridge when starting another medication or as abortive therapy for panic attacks. Given concerns for use dependence and withdrawal, SSRIs and antidepressants have been made mainstay therapy for these conditions. However, given their delayed onset of action, BZDs continue to be widely prescribed for these illnesses 12. Patients must first be shown that their symptoms are part of the well-established phenomena of tolerance and benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

• As a result, addiction to this drug can occur within a handful of uses and only worsen from there.
• The broad group of drugs that comprise benzodiazepines can target different functions, act at different speeds, and affect the body for varying lengths of time.
• This strategy, however, is not recommended for benzodiazepines because of a central nervous system process called kindling.

If you or a loved one is currently struggling with prescription benzo abuse, it’s never a marijuana addiction bad time to ask for help. To learn about all your options for recovery services, contact FHE Health today. Researchers also found that up to 25 percent of long-term benzo users go through protracted withdrawal, with symptoms that last a year or more. Anecdotally, the benzo flu has been described as the worst flu some benzo users ever experienced.