Drug withdrawal reactions in general tend to consist of a mirror image of the drugs’ initial effects. These reactions are caused by the abrupt exposure of adaptations that have occurred in the nervous system in response to the chronic presence of the drug. Rapid removal of the drug opens the floodgates, resulting in rebound overactivity of all the systems which have been damped down by the benzodiazepine and are now no longer opposed. The intensive outpatient program offers similar therapy and support but allows individuals to reside at home while attending therapy sessions.
Therapy
The behavioral effects of benzodiazepine use can vary from person to person, depending on factors like dosage, frequency of use, and individual susceptibility. It is important to note that these symptom lists are not meant to diagnose or take the place of medical advice. Emerging research also suggests acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could also have benefits during benzodiazepine withdrawal. This approach helps you learn to tolerate discomfort and distress, instead of avoiding it, and choose to live according to your values.
Drug Addiction
Neither drug had any effect on the severity of withdrawal symptoms, but the rate of taper was 25% of the benzodiazepine dose each week – a rather fast withdrawal! While the acute withdrawal phase usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks, those with a severe addiction or coexisting mental health issues like anxiety or depression may experience prolonged benzo withdrawal symptoms. It typically includes early withdrawal Sobriety symptoms starting within 24 hours to a few days, acute withdrawal symptoms lasting several days to weeks, and potentially protracted withdrawal symptoms lasting months or even years. Not everyone who cuts down or stops taking benzodiazepines will experience withdrawal symptoms. Some people experience no withdrawal on discontinuation, even with cold-turkey cessation—although there is no way to know who these people will be ahead of time, so it is not recommended.
Understanding Benzodiazepine Dependence
Many people in fact have managed to come off on their own without any outside help. No one should attempt to get off benzo drugs without the supervision of a healthcare professional. Severe symptoms and reactions can occur, and working with a professional can help a person avoid or manage these symptoms. Research indicates that physical dependence may begin in just a few weeks, even while taking the drugs in low therapeutic doses.
By increasing GABA’s action, benzodiazepines induce drowsiness along with reducing tension and easing muscle spasms. Thus they are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, convulsions, and muscular tension. Beneficial therapeutically these effects may be at first—prolonged consumption can result in developing tolerance and dependency with potential subsequent withdrawal from benzodiazepine use. Being aware of what to expect can significantly aid in managing this challenging phase. With appropriate support and strategies, moving through the withdrawal timeline can pave the way for a successful and lasting recovery. Most benzos symptoms begin within 24 hours of withdrawal and can last up to a year.
What factors influence the benzodiazepine withdrawal timeline?
A 45-year-old woman with a history of anxiety and insomnia transferred to our clinic requesting alprazolam (Xanax), which she had been taking for the past year. It was prescribed by another physician who benzodiazepine withdrawal had since retired, and she insisted that it was the only thing that helped her symptoms. Over the past several months, she had been taking more alprazolam during the day and at bedtime, because it had not been working as well as when initially prescribed. Withfacilities locatedin Florida, Ohio, Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, and Washington, The Recovery Village offers different programs to help treat benzodiazepine addiction and get you on the path to a drug-free life. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is when the body begins to rid itself of the drug, which can lead to a state of shock.
- Some clinics adopt a policy of refusing all requests for BZDs from patients not known at their practice.
- Benzo withdrawal is what happens when someone suddenly stops taking benzodiazepines (commonly known as benzos).
Fentanyl Detox
People get addicted to Adderall because it drastically alters brain chemistry, leading to feelings of heightened focus and energy, which can be highly compelling. Even though Adderall is prescribed for conditions like ADHD, misuse often results from pressures to… Exposure to outdoor daylight early in the day can help re-establish circadian rhythms, managing sleep disturbances during withdrawal. Additionally, employing natural methods, such as drinking caffeine-free tea before bed or practicing meditation, can aid in improving sleep quality during withdrawal. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States. This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times.
- The post-acute phase will begin around this time, but these symptoms are much less intense and will continue to decrease in intensity over the following weeks or months.
- This works to reduce the activity of a range of other neurotransmitters, in particular glutamate.
- Join support groups in your local community to learn new coping strategies and get support from people who understand your situation.
- Being prepared and understanding what to expect can make a significant difference in managing this challenging phase.
This makes it really important to follow your doctor’s advice closely and be careful if you’re taking benzos for a long time. The risk of misuse and the problems that come with it show why you need to be cautious with long-term benzo therapy. When a person stops using benzos even for a short period of time, they’re sure to feel some significant changes if they have a dependency. Within four to six hours of stopping the drug, a person can become agitated and anxious. Most will be unable to think of anything else except getting another fix of the drug. These withdrawal symptoms are known for the manner in which they wax and wane and vary in severity from day to day or week by week instead of steadily decreasing in a straightforward monotonic manner.
( Make sure you have adequate psychological support
Improper benzodiazepine use is dangerous not only for its short-term side effects and the potential for physical dependence and eventual withdrawal symptoms. It can also greatly increase a person’s long-term risk of developing mental health disorders, memory problems, sleep problems, and cognitive decline. Depression may be caused or aggravated by chronic benzodiazepine use, but is also a feature of the withdrawal syndrome. Depressive symptoms may appear for the first time after withdrawal, sometimes after a delay of a few weeks, and it can be severe and protracted for some months. It is not clear whether people who have had depression before, or have a family history of depression, are more prone to this complication, and its causes are not understood.
Immediate management of request for benzos
This class of medication can also cause dizziness and drowsiness, affecting an individual’s ability to perform tasks requiring focus and alertness. Social circles and peer pressure can play a significant role in benzodiazepine addiction. Individuals might start using these substances due to influences within their social networks, increasing the likelihood of developing an addiction. In the first week of tapering off, your doctor may reduce your dose as much as 30% to get you to a safe amount.
( Consult your doctor and pharmacist
Expert supervision during this tapering strategy in medical detox is crucial for patient safety and effective symptom relief. A medical detox acts as a protective barrier for individuals going through benzodiazepine withdrawal, providing support when the symptoms become overwhelming. Through professional oversight, gradually reducing doses can lessen the intensity of early rebound effects and control acute withdrawal symptoms while minimizing potential risks. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by various factors, including the duration of benzodiazepine use, individual metabolic differences, and the specific drug used. Long-term benzodiazepine users may experience more intense withdrawal symptoms due to the development of tolerance, dependence, and in some cases, addiction.
However, there is no need to drink extra amounts of fluid during withdrawal with the idea of “flushing out impurities/toxins”. The body is very good at doing this, even at minimal fluid consumption, and surplus water is simply excreted. There are many measures that will alleviate these symptoms, such as muscle stretching exercises as taught in most gyms, moderate exercise, hot baths, massage and general relaxation exercises. Such measures may give only temporary relief at first, but if practised regularly can speed the recovery of normal muscle tone – which will eventually occur spontaneously. Benzos are highly addictive because the body and brain quickly develop tolerance, requiring higher amounts to have the same effect. Long-term use of benzodiazepine trains the body to rely on external relaxation methods.