Withdrawing from Benzodiazepines: Symptoms, Safety, and Treatment

Our Tennessee-based team helps individuals and families find hope through evidence-based care and genuine compassion. Call us today to begin your journey in our benzodiazepine IOP program and take the first step toward lasting recovery. Our benzodiazepine intensive outpatient program gives clients the structure, flexibility, and compassionate care they need to reclaim their lives. Whether you’re seeking a benzo IOP in Nashville or exploring outpatient benzo treatment options nearby, our team is ready to support your path toward lasting sobriety.

Disulfiram (Antabuse) & Alcoholism Treatment: Uses, Side Effects & Effectiveness

You’ll also build a strong support network through support groups. Health care providers may also prescribe beta-blockers off-label to treat short-term anxiety symptoms, even though the medication is not approved for that specific purpose. Protracted withdrawal symptoms may begin within days or weeks of acute withdrawal symptoms subsiding. If you find that you are unable to manage your anxiety with a combination of therapy and self-care practices, you may need medication to help reduce your symptoms and improve functioning. When you talk to your doctor, make sure to disclose any history of substance use disorder or drug misuse. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system.

Do patients need phenobarbital dosing adjustments if they have liver dysfunction?

Other challenges with stimulant treatment, such as sleep disturbance and slowed growth, can generally be safely managed by a health care provider. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include agitation, muscle twitches, what is Oxford House hallucinations (seeing or hearing things others do not see or hear), high temperature, and unusual blood pressure changes. It is important for health care providers to consider all possible interactions and use extra care in prescribing and monitoring medication combinations that have an above-average risk. Another common question of people in recovery is whether withdrawal symptoms come in “waves” where the noticeable withdrawal symptoms go away and then come back. Yes, is it possible for withdrawal to appear to end—particularly after a two-week detox process 5 and then to return as PAWS symptoms. Acute withdrawal is experienced across the board by patients who are addicted to alcohol, barbiturates, or benzos.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat stimulant use disorders.
It is necessary to take the tablets several times a day and many people experience a “mini-withdrawal”, sometimes a craving, between each dose.
At Freeman Recovery Center, you’ll find a supportive environment to meet your needs.
There is limited research on the health effects and addiction potential of delta-8-THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids.
Some people who use amphetamines develop a stimulant use disorder.

Benzodiazepines

These prolonged complications are now being classified under the unified term benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND), reflecting growing recognition of their distinct clinical presentation.
In most cases, your doctor will reduce your dosage by 5% to 25% in the first week.
Health care providers may prescribe stimulant medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy .
NIMH supports research at universities, medical centers, and other institutions via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

They should never quit benzos suddenly without first consulting a professional and developing a plan with them. Given the variability in patient reactions to tapering, the Guideline recommends a slow, patient-centered tapering process that is adjusted based on the patient’s response. There may be a small number of patients whose quality of life improves with the stable use of benzodiazepines. The decision to continue long-term benzodiazepine treatment needs to be clearly documented.

If the withdrawal is slow enough, “escape pills” should not be necessary. Rather than (or in addition to) expensive therapists, you need someone reliable, who will support you frequently and regularly, long-term, both during withdrawal and for some months afterwards. Voluntary tranquilliser support groups (self-help groups) can be extremely helpful. They are usually run by people who have been through withdrawal and therefore understand the time and patience required, and can provide information about benzodiazepines. It can be encouraging to find that you are not alone, that there are plenty of others with similar problems to yours.

A therapist or other mental health professional can offer support with navigating these effects and helping improve your overall quality of life during the withdrawal period. If you benzodiazepine withdrawal take an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, like alprazolam, or a long-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, it may take longer for withdrawal symptoms to appear. How quickly benzo withdrawal starts and ends depends on what benzo you were taking, the dose you used, and how long you took it for. Withdrawal symptoms can start within a couple of days and last several weeks. In some instances, people may experience lingering symptoms for a year or more. Experiencing benzo withdrawal is a sign that your body is dependent on benzos.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat MDMA-related substance use disorders.
Mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises can effectively manage anxiety and cravings by promoting relaxation and focus, which are essential during recovery.
In some cases, health care providers may prescribe antidepressants to treat other health conditions, such as anxiety, pain , and insomnia .

Dependence appears to occur in a similar way to how it does with other addictive drugs. Dopamine is a type of messenger that is partly responsible for how humans feel pleasure. Along with these symptoms, the person may experience severe cravings for the drug or other drugs to sedate them.

How do people use gases?

Beta-blockers block the effects of these chemical messengers, reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety and partially helping with psychological symptoms as well. For this reason, Xanax is often taken to treat sudden-onset symptoms or short-term anxiety. Other commonly prescribed drugs of this class include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), temazepam (Restoril), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and midazolam (Versed). How do you know when benzo withdrawal symptoms require immediate medical attention? During home withdrawal monitoring, you must recognize signs that exceed safe self-management.

Rebound symptoms

Equivalent potencies of benzodiazepines are shown in Table 1 (Chapter I), but these are only approximate and differ between individuals. Local rehabs in White River are equipped with experienced professionals who understand the https://www.temosa.it/2025/11/27/alcohol-and-fat-metabolism-does-drinking-make-you/ complexities of benzodiazepine withdrawal. They provide comprehensive treatment plans that include detoxification, therapy, and aftercare support.

If you find yourself struggling to stop or need more to feel the same effects, consider exploring treatment for benzo addiction, like an intensive outpatient program in Tennessee. You might notice benzodiazepine addiction signs such as memory problems, drowsiness, anxiety between doses, or doctor shopping to get more pills. Over time, benzodiazepine dependency can interfere with your relationships, responsibilities, and overall well-being. Treatment options, including benzodiazepine counseling, can support your recovery.