Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are classified as psychoactive drugs that slow down brain activity. They are commonly prescribed to treat various conditions like anxiety disorder, insomnia, and convulsions. Benzos may also be administered as general anesthesia, muscle relaxant, a sedative before surgery, and to alleviate panic attacks and depression.
While they have a range of medical uses, they are not to be used long-term. Prolonged use of benzos can lead to physical and psychological dependence on the drug, creating moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Types of Benzodiazepines
Different benzos may be prescribed for various conditions. They differ in how long the drug takes to act and how long they stay in your body.
| Shorter Acting Benzos (3-8 hours) | Longer Acting Benzos (11-20 hours) |
| Xanax | Valium |
| Tranxene | Librium |
| Halcion | Dalmane |
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Most people who use benzodiazepines for six months will likely experience some withdrawal symptoms. Benzo withdrawal symptoms range from manageable to severe. The problem is that these symptoms are not consistent and fluctuate drastically. You might experience no symptoms one day and severe symptoms the other. The unpredictable and bumpy nature of benzos withdrawal mandates the need for a professional benzo detox center.
Signs of benzodiazepine withdrawal are:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Muscle and joint pain
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Chest tightness
- Heart palpitations
Benzo withdrawal is divided into three stages:
| Onset | Duration | Symptoms | |
| Immediate Withdrawal | Right after discontinuing use | 2-3 days | Anxiety, insomnia |
| Acute Withdrawal | Within a few days | 5-28 days | Agitation, irritability, headaches, migraines, nausea, psychosis, suicidal thoughts |
| Protracted Withdrawal | Persist after a few weeks | 12 months + | Anxiety, depression, mood swings, lower libido |
Can Benzo Withdrawal Kill You?
Quitting benzos ‘cold turkey’ can prove to be fatal. The FDA advises you to construct a plan tailor-made to the person whose dependency you want to taper off. In extreme cases, benzo withdrawal can create seizures and convulsions. Since these withdrawal symptoms are so unpredictable and potentially life-threatening, it is strongly advised that you avail professional benzodiazepines detox.
Many people prefer to try benzo detox at home for the following reasons:
- Low cost
- Stigma surrounding addiction
- Relocation
While the seemingly low-cost experience and the comfort of staying at your own house might make benzo detox at home a viable option, is it really? Not at the expense of your life. Every individual reacts differently to benzo withdrawal, putting you at risk of severe symptoms. This is why every recovering addict must be under medical supervision when trying to quit. You can consider ‘outpatient benzo detox near me’ to avail professional and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) while being close to your home.
Get Professional Benzodiazepines Detox
Addiction recovery is not easy, especially when accompanied by overpowering withdrawal symptoms. Benzo withdrawal is worse during the early stage, during which it is vital to avail ‘benzodiazepine detox near me.’
With professional medical assistance, you can eliminate the risk of any untoward or life-threatening incident and tread the path of a drug-free life. Benzodiazepines detox will recover the body from the initial and acute effects of this drug and ensure you simultaneously receive therapy and emotional support to treat the psychological symptoms and suicidal tendencies that aggravate during benzo withdrawal.
To locate a benzo detox near you, try our free search directory. Our detox directory is a comprehensive list of vetted detox centers nearest to each zip code.
