Benzodiazepines are medications commonly use to battle anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, amongst many others. Prescribed Benzos medications can be safe to use if done under a doctor's supervision.
Unfortunately, they can be addictive and abused, which may lead to adverse health complications and cause withdrawal symptoms once an individual wants to stop using these meds. Depending on the length of use and many other factors, you or your loved one may need the help of a benzo addiction treatment program in order get through the initial detox phase, and be able to stop using the drug completely.
What exactly does the Benzo withdrawal look like, and what can you expect?
Unfortunately, they can be addictive and abused, which may lead to adverse health complications and cause withdrawal symptoms once an individual wants to stop using these meds. Depending on the length of use and many other factors, you or your loved one may need the help of a benzo addiction treatment program in order get through the initial detox phase, and be able to stop using the drug completely.
What exactly does the Benzo withdrawal look like, and what can you expect?
What Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is a direct result of drug abuse and addiction. It includes a number of physical and psychological symptoms that occur after individual limits and stops using the drug.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms may vary from mild to severe or even life-threatening, which is why going off these medications should not be treated lightly. It should take place in consultation with a medical professional or in a medical facility if the substance abuse was to a high degree.
Even those who were on these medications without abusing them will likely experience some Benzo withdrawal symptoms. Their severity will differ and will depend on the average dose that was usually administered and how suddenly the medications were cut down.
Those who stop using Benzo meds abruptly are at higher risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. It's also possible to overdose on Benzodiazepine, which is why misusing these drugs can be so detrimental.
If you notice that you get dependent on Benzo, you should immediately contact your doctor and talk about the safest way to get off the medications or implement other approaches that will make it possible to continue your therapy without significant risks of developing Benzodiazepine addiction.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms may vary from mild to severe or even life-threatening, which is why going off these medications should not be treated lightly. It should take place in consultation with a medical professional or in a medical facility if the substance abuse was to a high degree.
Even those who were on these medications without abusing them will likely experience some Benzo withdrawal symptoms. Their severity will differ and will depend on the average dose that was usually administered and how suddenly the medications were cut down.
Those who stop using Benzo meds abruptly are at higher risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. It's also possible to overdose on Benzodiazepine, which is why misusing these drugs can be so detrimental.
If you notice that you get dependent on Benzo, you should immediately contact your doctor and talk about the safest way to get off the medications or implement other approaches that will make it possible to continue your therapy without significant risks of developing Benzodiazepine addiction.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly, but in most cases, they are difficult to endure both physically and emotionally. With this in mind, it's always recommended to prepare yourself for all the withdrawal phases. This should include consulting with your doctor or medical professional, preparing your surroundings and loved ones, as well as working on your mindset and expectations.
What is not recommended is suddenly going off medications without any plan or preparation. This sudden change can be incredibly difficult for an organism and can even lead to death.
Benzo withdrawal process has a few phases, during which various symptoms may come and go, and their severity can differ.
The most common Benzo withdrawal symptoms, called "rebound” symptoms, usually occur in the first phase of Benzo withdrawal, which happens around one to four days after one stops using the meds. They can last for around ten days and can include:
anxiety and insomnia
panic attacks
headache
excessive sweating
muscle pain
increased heart rate
hand tremors
changes in perception
nausea
Some less common Benzo withdrawal symptoms can include:
seizures
psychosis
hallucinations
suicidal ideation
As Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed to battle anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, it's quite normal to experience the return or worsening of these symptoms immediately after resigning from taking drugs. The rebound effect lasts for about three days.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline
How long does a Benzo withdrawal last? What is the timeline for this process?
Usually, you can start to feel the first symptoms of Benzo withdrawal after only 6 to 8 hours in the case of shorter-acting Benzos and 24 to 48 hours when you've been on a longer-acting Benzo medication.
Shorter-acting Benzos, where we will find popular medications like Xanax, Halcion, or Dormonoct, usually are responsible for more severe withdrawal symptoms. In contrast, long-acting Benzos, like Klonopin, Valium, and Librium, come with milder withdrawal side effects.
The overall duration of Benzo withdrawal depends on how severe the addiction was, how long a person was on the medications, and in what doses they were administering them. In cases when the Benzo abuse was not extreme, withdrawal can last only a week or ten days.
Withdrawal severity will be more serious and will last for as long as three months in situations when an individual has been engaging in prolonged Benzos abuse.
What is the average Benzo withdrawal timeline?
Usually, you can start to feel the first symptoms of Benzo withdrawal after only 6 to 8 hours in the case of shorter-acting Benzos and 24 to 48 hours when you've been on a longer-acting Benzo medication.
Shorter-acting Benzos, where we will find popular medications like Xanax, Halcion, or Dormonoct, usually are responsible for more severe withdrawal symptoms. In contrast, long-acting Benzos, like Klonopin, Valium, and Librium, come with milder withdrawal side effects.
The overall duration of Benzo withdrawal depends on how severe the addiction was, how long a person was on the medications, and in what doses they were administering them. In cases when the Benzo abuse was not extreme, withdrawal can last only a week or ten days.
Withdrawal severity will be more serious and will last for as long as three months in situations when an individual has been engaging in prolonged Benzos abuse.
What is the average Benzo withdrawal timeline?
First 6 to 8 hours
This is the initial withdrawal period, during which it is quite common to experience anxiety, problems with sleep, and panic attacks.
This is the initial withdrawal period, during which it is quite common to experience anxiety, problems with sleep, and panic attacks.
First 1 to 4 days
During this time, you may experience the rebound effect, which means increased anxiety and insomnia. It's also when most physical symptoms can occur. This is also the period when people who were taking longer-acting Benzodiazepines will start to feel the first effects of withdrawal.
During this time, you may experience the rebound effect, which means increased anxiety and insomnia. It's also when most physical symptoms can occur. This is also the period when people who were taking longer-acting Benzodiazepines will start to feel the first effects of withdrawal.
Days 10 to 14
Short-acting Benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms would have reached their peak by now and are starting to fade out. During this time, the withdrawal symptoms caused by longer-acting Benzos will peak, lasting for about three to four weeks.
Short-acting Benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms would have reached their peak by now and are starting to fade out. During this time, the withdrawal symptoms caused by longer-acting Benzos will peak, lasting for about three to four weeks.
Days 15+
fter two weeks of going off Benzos, an individual who was heavily dependent on them can experience something that is called post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). This is when a person experienced random recurrences of sharp withdrawal symptoms, even months after not using them.
fter two weeks of going off Benzos, an individual who was heavily dependent on them can experience something that is called post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). This is when a person experienced random recurrences of sharp withdrawal symptoms, even months after not using them.
Aftercare and discharge planning.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)
PAWS can be incredibly challenging to endure, as it is unpredictable and taxing on the body and mind. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can last for 6 or more months and come with a variety of symptoms that can make staying sober very difficult.
On the list of these symptoms, we can find:
On the list of these symptoms, we can find:
chronic insomnia
chronic anxiety
cognitive deficits
low libido
low libido
How to avoid PAWS when going off Benzos? The best way to do so is by going off Benzodiazepine under medical supervision.
Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Dangerous?
As we mentioned earlier, Benzodiazepine dependence is a serious condition, and its withdrawal may be potentially fatal. Serious complications involved with going off Benzos can occur when an individual goes "cold turkey" and without any sort of preparation, especially if they were heavily relying on or abusing Benzodiazepines before. Other risk factors include having pre-existing health issues.
Benzodiazepine users may experience psychosis and seizures. Such symptoms require medical intervention, as seizures can lead to death.
Benzodiazepine users may experience psychosis and seizures. Such symptoms require medical intervention, as seizures can lead to death.
Benzodiazepine Detoxification
What is Benzo detox? It's the process of removing Benzodiazepine drugs from one's system and alleviating some side effects of withdrawal. This is done with the help of medications and should never be attempted without medical supervision, as the side effects of medical detoxification from Benzodiazepines can be dangerous.
For many people, it's much easier to go through this type of detox when quitting Benzos, as the withdrawal symptoms are milder, and the whole process is easier to endure. It also reduces the risks of relapsing, which is crucial in those first months and years of going off drugs
For many people, it's much easier to go through this type of detox when quitting Benzos, as the withdrawal symptoms are milder, and the whole process is easier to endure. It also reduces the risks of relapsing, which is crucial in those first months and years of going off drugs
Benzo Detox Medications
Going through Benzo detox oftentimes means taking Benzo medications but in smaller and decreasing doses. This is called tapering, and it is considered to be one of the safest ways to get off these meds, reducing withdrawal symptoms and improving the quality of life of individuals going through this process.
One of the popular medications that is used primarily in addressing Benzodiazepine overdoses is Flumazenil. Trazodone is prescribed to patients that struggle with anxiety symptoms and depression.
If you've been on shorter-acting Benzos, like Xanax or Ativan, your doctor may prescribe you a longer-acting Benzodiazepine, like Klonopin, to ease the transition. Patients that struggle with heart palpitations, perfuse sweating, and other severe withdrawal symptoms may benefit from taking antihypertensive meds like propranolol.
During the tapering process, you should be carefully monitored by a medical team. Even with all the precautions in place, there is still a risk of experiencing life-threatening conditions like seizure disorders and psychotic reactions, which means that medical intervention might be required.
One of the popular medications that is used primarily in addressing Benzodiazepine overdoses is Flumazenil. Trazodone is prescribed to patients that struggle with anxiety symptoms and depression.
If you've been on shorter-acting Benzos, like Xanax or Ativan, your doctor may prescribe you a longer-acting Benzodiazepine, like Klonopin, to ease the transition. Patients that struggle with heart palpitations, perfuse sweating, and other severe withdrawal symptoms may benefit from taking antihypertensive meds like propranolol.
During the tapering process, you should be carefully monitored by a medical team. Even with all the precautions in place, there is still a risk of experiencing life-threatening conditions like seizure disorders and psychotic reactions, which means that medical intervention might be required.
How To Deal with Benzo Withdrawal?
What are the best techniques and approaches to handle Benzo withdrawal, both physically and psychologically?
First and foremost, it's imperative to seek professional help. A doctor and mental health worker will offer you invaluable support, ensuring your withdrawal and recovery are as safe and comfortable as they can be.
It's also helpful to understand and accept the fact that this process will not be easy. You may experience some difficult withdrawal symptoms, and you may feel the strong urge to start using again, and it's something quite normal at this stage of recovery.
When it happens it's good to reach out to your friends, family, and therapist to talk about your feelings and struggles.
Feeling cravings may be debilitating, but it's important to remember that you're not the only person going through this experience, and many people live with them every day. You may benefit from group therapy and support groups.
It's also helpful to identify your triggers and avoid them if possible. People, places, and certain situations may increase the risk of relapse for you, so avoiding them is the best practice you can employ during this time.
First and foremost, it's imperative to seek professional help. A doctor and mental health worker will offer you invaluable support, ensuring your withdrawal and recovery are as safe and comfortable as they can be.
It's also helpful to understand and accept the fact that this process will not be easy. You may experience some difficult withdrawal symptoms, and you may feel the strong urge to start using again, and it's something quite normal at this stage of recovery.
When it happens it's good to reach out to your friends, family, and therapist to talk about your feelings and struggles.
Feeling cravings may be debilitating, but it's important to remember that you're not the only person going through this experience, and many people live with them every day. You may benefit from group therapy and support groups.
It's also helpful to identify your triggers and avoid them if possible. People, places, and certain situations may increase the risk of relapse for you, so avoiding them is the best practice you can employ during this time.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Treatment and Rehab Programs
As presented in this article, Benzo withdrawal comes with significant risks and can be difficult to face, especially if you're doing it alone. But the important thing to know is that you don't have to go through this without support.
At Miracles Asia Residential Rehab in Thailand, you'll get all the help that you need and deserve. Our team of addiction specialists will be able to create a personalized therapy plan tailored to your specific needs and requirements.
You'll be taken care of by our medical staff, ensuring the withdrawal phase and recovery that follows are as safe and easy to endure as possible.
With private 5 Star chef and personalized meals, access to the sports and health center, and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Phuket, you will have a chance to heal, learn and manage your addiction in your life outside of our facility in the most harmonious environment.
Contact us to get more information and gain access to valuable resources.
At Miracles Asia Residential Rehab in Thailand, you'll get all the help that you need and deserve. Our team of addiction specialists will be able to create a personalized therapy plan tailored to your specific needs and requirements.
You'll be taken care of by our medical staff, ensuring the withdrawal phase and recovery that follows are as safe and easy to endure as possible.
With private 5 Star chef and personalized meals, access to the sports and health center, and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Phuket, you will have a chance to heal, learn and manage your addiction in your life outside of our facility in the most harmonious environment.
Contact us to get more information and gain access to valuable resources.
