After using benzos for a
while, people may become physically and even mentally dependent on them. They
may begin to feel like they need to use the drugs in order to feel “normal”. This is mainly due to the fact that the body goes into withdrawal just hours
after a person uses short-acting benzos (i.e. Xanax or Halcion). Some people who develop
benzo addiction problems may feel afraid to stop using the drugs because
they’re not sure what to expect when going through benzo withdrawal.
These are the same brain chemicals that when reduced, can cause depression, aggression, and other mood disorders. Some going through benzo withdrawal may also contemplate suicide as a way to avoid physical and psychological pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal symptoms. It’s not a fun process, and the thought of going through benzo withdrawal is often what keeps people from stopping using the drug. However, not everyone who takes or has abused these drugs experiences all of these symptoms and for that entire length of time. Again, it is often dependant upon how long they used, what other mental disorders might be present, other drugs used in conjunction, and if they choose to utilize treatment and therapy.
Experience a Safe Recovery
But, although they are
used to help people end substance addiction, they have been known to cause
addiction themselves. Even though benzos are seen as helpful substances, they
can actually be very problematic. Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director benzodiazepine withdrawal at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction. Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family.
People often experience a resurgence of the symptoms that the benzos were initially prescribed to treat – increased anxiety or insomnia, for instance. Gradual reduction in dosage and sometimes substitution with other medications can help minimize rebound symptoms. Blurred vision and headaches are common withdrawal symptoms for most types of drug addiction, including benzo addiction. These symptoms occur on behalf of abrupt changes to brain chemistry, and may last for up to several days or weeks, or until you fully overcome benzo dependence.
How long does withdrawal last?
Research shows that from 10% to 25% of those who use benzos long-term benzo face withdrawal symptoms lasting for 12 months or more. This is clinically described as PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). Symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, concentration difficulties, reduced libido, depression, and mood swings.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms typically present themselves within a day of your last dose, though sometimes the onset can occur in less than 12 hours. Once they begin, they can last for months or even years depending on how long the sufferer has been abusing benzos and the strength of the benzos being abused. Benzo withdrawal is a process that occurs when someone who is physically dependent on benzodiazepine drugs stops using them. This guide to withdrawal from benzos explains what to expect from the detox process and shows you how to engage with evidence-based treatment for benzo addiction. Studies show that symptoms of decreased appetite and weight loss are highly common in those who take benzos in large amounts prior to quitting.
What’s “Benzo Belly”? Meet the Little-Known Withdrawal Symptom
People with benzodiazepine tolerance may take supratherapeutic doses because the recommended range no longer provides relief for their symptoms. The higher dose may help ease your symptoms, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ but it can also increase your risk of overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms. It’s incredibly important to follow your doctor’s guidance when you stop taking benzodiazepines.
Patients should be observed every three to four hours to assess for complications such as worsening anxiety and dissociation, which may require medication. Patients with cognitive impairments as a result of alcohol dependence should be provided with ongoing vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplements. Provide symptomatic treatment (see Table 3) and supportive care as required. People who use large amounts of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, can develop psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, disordered thoughts and hallucinations. These symptoms can be managed using anti-psychotic medications and will usually resolve within a week of ceasing stimulant use.
How to get support for thoughts of suicide
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. Others might experience a few weeks or months of uncomfortable, but bearable, symptoms. Unfortunately, there is another group of individuals that may experience severe symptoms, often for months or years on end. For these people, the intensity of withdrawal can be overwhelming and in some cases lead to death – either as a direct result of the withdrawal syndrome itself or as a result of suicide. One known case of death was that of David Stojcevski, an inmate at the Macomb County Jail 17 days into a 30 day sentence for an unpaid traffic ticket.
- This will prevent you from altering the taper, but it might mean frequent trips to the pharmacy.
- The term “benzo” refers to a class of drugs containing benzodiazepine, a Schedule IV substance that is intended to be prescribed as a sedative to treat muscle spasms, anxiety, seizures, and insomnia.
- They will make this decision on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type and severity of the symptoms affecting the individual.
- As the body gets used to the drug, the individual will need larger doses to feel the same effects.
- There are two major substances known throughout the medical community that are considered to be absolutely vital to detox in a professional setting for and that is alcohol and benzodiazepines.