Many people take benzodiazepines to manage their anxiety. However, sometimes, this medication can become an addiction that people need to overcome.
One of the first steps towards overcoming an addiction is to detox from it. This is when a person stops taking it. This can cause several side effects, many of which are uncomfortable. But these side effects can be managed.
At Luxe Recovery, we want to help you with every step of the recovery process, including managing any withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when overcoming benzodiazepine addiction.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. They work by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits neuronal activity, thus producing a calming effect on the brain.
These medications are commonly prescribed due to their rapid onset of effects and effectiveness in managing acute anxiety and panic attacks. Examples of benzodiazepines on the market include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin).
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration classifies benzodiazepines as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means that there is a recognized medical use for it, but it can come with a high risk of misuse.
Prolonged use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms when a person stops taking them, making them potentially addictive.
Overdosing on benzos can result in respiratory depression, coma, and even death, especially when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Due to these risks, healthcare providers often recommend using benzodiazepines as a short-term treatment or in lower doses. Long-term use requires careful monitoring and gradual tapering to minimize withdrawal symptoms and prevent dependence.
Treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, and non-benzodiazepine medications may also be considered for managing anxiety and related disorders.
Duration for Using Benzodiazepines
Due to the increased potential for misuse and the risk of dependency associated with benzodiazepines, healthcare professionals generally exercise caution in their prescription practices. They often limit prescriptions to as-needed usage rather than daily administration, may opt for lower dosages, or select benzodiazepines with a milder potency.
What Are the Effects of Benzodiazepines?
Aside from calming a person down, benzodiazepines also have several other effects. These side effects mean that benzodiazepines can be used as:
Sedatives
Benzodiazepines have sedative properties. Benzos can induce sleepiness and help with insomnia, making them useful as a short-term treatment for sleep disorders.
Muscle Relaxants
Benzodiazepine use can alleviate muscle spasms and tension by acting on GABA receptors in the spinal cord, which can lead to muscle relaxation.
Anticonvulsant
Benzodiazepines may also be prescribed to control seizures or tremors because they can reduce abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can be particularly helpful in cases of epilepsy.
What Are Common Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms?
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be challenging and uncomfortable, especially for individuals who have been using benzos for an extended period or in high doses. A good rule of thumb is that withdrawing from a drug will have the opposite effect of taking the drug.
The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms may vary widely depending on factors like specific medication taken, dosage, duration of use, and individual differences. Common symptoms of withdrawal may include:
Anxiety and Depression
Individuals withdrawing from benzos may experience increased anxiety and panic attacks. Heightened feelings of fear and unease are hallmark withdrawal symptoms, often mirroring the condition the benzodiazepine was prescribed to treat in the first place.
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a low mood may emerge or worsen during the withdrawal process.
Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances
An individual may experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, vivid dreams, and disrupted sleep patterns when they stop taking the drug. These are common during benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Irritability and Agitation
The withdrawal process may include mood swings, irritability, restlessness, and agitation. These symptoms are reflective of the destabilization of the central nervous system.
Physical Symptoms
Discontinuation of benzodiazepine may cause people to experience headaches, muscle tension, tremors, sweating, gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), and palpitations. These are physical manifestations of withdrawal from benzo use.
Sensory Disturbances and Cognitive Impairments
Individuals withdrawing from benzos may experience increased sensitivity to light, sound, and touch, along with sensations like tingling or numbness.
Cognitive impairments such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, and cognitive fog are common symptoms of withdrawal.
The symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal can vary from one person to another. One person can experience only mild symptoms, some can experience more serious ones, and others may not have any withdrawal symptoms at all.
Severe Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
The side effects listed above are common symptoms people who experience withdrawal go through. However, they are by no means the only symptoms that a person can experience.
More severe withdrawal symptoms are associated with abrupt cessation, short-acting benzodiazepine agents, and high doses. Some of these symptoms include
Seizures
One of the most serious withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepine detox is the potential for seizures, which can range from mild to life-threatening.
This risk is higher in individuals who already have a history of seizures or epilepsy, which can be many individuals who take benzodiazepines given that they can be prescribed as an anticonvulsant, as mentioned previously.
Delirium
Some individuals may experience delirium when they discontinue taking benzodiazepine. This symptom is characterized by confusion, disorientation, hallucinations (visual or auditory), and agitation. Delirium can be dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
Psychosis
In rare cases, benzodiazepine withdrawal can lead to psychological symptoms such as paranoia, delusions, and extreme agitation.
Cardiovascular Instability
Another of the intense withdrawal symptoms of benzo withdrawal is that there can be fluctuations in blood pressure, heart rate, and other cardiovascular parameters, leading to palpitations, chest pain, or fainting.
Respiratory Distress
Severe cases of benzodiazepine withdrawal may result in respiratory depression. People experiencing benzo withdrawal may have difficulty breathing particularly if benzodiazepines were combined with other respiratory depressants such as alcohol or opioids.
Suicidal Ideation
Because depression can be a side effect of benzo withdrawal, a person may have suicidal ideation or even attempts if the depression becomes severe enough.
It’s important to note that while these withdrawal symptoms can seem concerning, they are rare. Despite their relative rarity, the possibility that the severe symptoms of withdrawal may occur underscores the need for medical supervision during the withdrawal process.
What is the Withdrawal Timeline for Benzos?
Some factors can determine how long it takes for someone to go through benzodiazepine withdrawal. These factors include the length of use, the dosage, and individual physiology.
Because of this, the timeline for withdrawal can vary. However, a general benzodiazepine withdrawal timeline can be outlined as follows:
1 to 4 Days
During the early withdrawal phase, an individual may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension, and irritability. These symptoms can be uncomfortable but can be uncomfortable, but they can be managed with monitoring and support.
5 to 14 Days
5 to 14 days after the last use of a benzodiazepine is when peak withdrawal symptoms may occur. At this point, symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, increased insomnia, mood swings, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle spasms, and cognitive difficulties can intensify.
Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, delirium, or psychosis, are rare but more common in cases where a person abruptly stops taking benzos.
Weeks to Months
During the subacute phase of withdrawal, symptoms may improve gradually but can persist. This can be especially true if someone is withdrawing from long-term benzodiazepine use.
Symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and physical discomfort can linger during this phase.
Months to Years
Months to years after the last use, a person may experience a protracted withdrawal phase called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
This can bring intermittent episodes of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties. PAWS generally affects those with a history of long-term benzo use.
How To Manage Common Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal
Managing the symptoms of benzo withdrawal may require a comprehensive approach. Some of the elements of this comprehensive approach can include following a medically prescribed tapering schedule to help wean a person off the drug and minimize potential withdrawal symptoms.
People who do this should inform their treatment providers of any other medications they’re taking, any medical conditions they have, or any other substance use disorder they may be struggling with.
Another way to manage symptoms would be to treat them as they appear. Gastrointestinal distress can be managed with dietary adjustments such as consuming more fibre and probiotics. Herbal supplements can help with managing insomnia and anxiety.
Having a strong support group can also help in managing acute withdrawal symptoms. The people within this support group should understand what an individual is going through and at least be aware of the withdrawal process.
In some cases, the management of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be aided with pharmacological assistance. For example, if a person experiences depressive symptoms, then they may be prescribed antidepressants.
People with insomnia can be prescribed a sleep aid if herbal supplements or over-the-counter medication prove ineffective.
We’ll Be Here For You For All Phases of Treatment
The detox phase of treatment can be one of the hardest parts of addiction treatment. The symptoms that can come when you stop taking the drug can be so distressing that you may want to take the drug again to make it stop.
But, as uncomfortable as they can be, you won’t be able to rebound from drug use if you don’t go through it. And you can go through it. At our treatment center, our staff will be there to help you get through the detox process and on to the next phase of your personalized recovery journey.
Contact us now, and we can get started. We take most forms of insurance.
