What You Need to Know About Benzodiazepine Detox

Withdrawing from any drug is a challenging process requiring medical support and personal determination. Detoxing from benzodiazepines, also called benzos, is uniquely challenging because users have often been prescribed them for legitimate mental health problems like PTSD or anxiety. But withdrawal symptoms affect people who are using benzos as a prescription drug just as severely as those who are abusing them recreationally. Benzodiazepine detox requires special attention to ensure the physical, emotional, and mental health of the patient.

At Nova Vitae Treatment Center, we take every step to ensure your dignity and comfort throughout the withdrawal process. Our Los Angeles detox facility is equipped with everything you need to get over addiction to benzodiazepines in an environment that feels just like home. We offer medical detox and social model detox.

Why You Need to Detox From Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines interact with the serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors in the brain. Their chemicals take the place of the body’s natural neurotransmitters, so the body starts producing less. When users stop taking benzos, the body abruptly finds itself without enough of these crucial neurotransmitters, and must relearn how to produce them in natural quantities. The resulting withdrawal can be extremely difficult and dangerous.

Up to 20% of patients going through benzodiazepine withdrawal will suffer grand mal seizures, which include a temporary loss of consciousness and uncontrollable muscle spasms over the entire body. This necessitates a medical detox, where patients are under constant medical supervision to manage their symptoms and ensure they don’t hurt themselves.

Though the risks of benzodiazepine withdrawal are high, the medical team at Nova Vitae will do their best to manage your symptoms, reduce your recovery time, and keep you as comfortable as possible.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline

While benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms will change depending on the patient’s duration and volume of abuse, plus their medical history, it usually follows a specific timeline:

  • Symptoms begin within 6-12 hours for short-acting benzos and 4-5 days for long-acting benzos. These include anxiety, cravings, and insomnia.
  • Symptoms peak after 1-5 days for short-acting benzos and up to several weeks for long-acting benzos. With symptoms including profuse sweating, anxiety, nausea, panic, and headaches, this process can be very difficult. Patients also begin to experience mood swings and irritability, and are at risk of hallucinations, seizures, and psychosis. Constant medical supervision is crucial during this stage.
  • Most withdrawal symptoms will plateau and then subside within 5-15 days for short-acting benzos and 3-4 weeks for long-acting benzos.
  • Some patients are at risk of rebound or post-acute withdrawal syndrome, especially when benzodiazepines have been prescribed to treat PTSD or anxiety.

Benzodiazepine Detox at Nova Vitae

Our comprehensive detox facility offers everything you need to recover from benzodiazepine addiction in safety and comfort. With 24/7 monitoring by our team of professional nurses, a doctor on staff, and a comfortable for both social model detox and medical detox, you can pass through the withdrawal phrase and into recovery as soon as possible.

Tapering

Tapering off usage of benzodiazepines is typically the first step of withdrawal because it is the best way to keep withdrawal symptoms manageable. Under this method, you will gradually reduce the dose over 2-10 weeks or switch to a lighter drug to reduce the risk of complications and seizures.

Medical Monitoring

Benzo detox can be dangerous and patients should be monitored at all times. If in medical detox, medications such as Flumazenil or Buspirone may be used to manage symptoms.

Counseling and Therapy

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be emotionally difficult. Many patients suffer from rebound anxiety, depression, insomnia, and trauma flashbacks. We offer full support from licensed therapists and counselors as well as ongoing medical support.

Recovering from benzodiazepine abuse is a long journey. Most patients must overcome strong psychological and emotional responses to the drug, as well as PTSD and rebound anxiety. To recover successfully, you need moral support from family and friends, behavioral therapy, and expert supervision from a medical team to manage symptoms.

Nova Vitae is here for you or your loved one. We have everything you need to recover in comfort and safety. Contact us today for a free and comprehensive consultation so we can help you get back to living a healthy life free of addiction.