Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are drugs classified as tranquilizers. Otherwise known as central nervous system depressants, tranquilizers have sedative properties and are often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, panic disorders, and mental illnesses. In addition to relaxation, benzo abuse can also lead to feelings of euphoria and pleasure, which is why they’re so addictive. If you’ve found yourself misusing these drugs, our benzodiazepine addiction treatment at Clearbrook Treatment Centers Massachusetts is here to help you start your journey to sobriety.
Why Are Benzodiazepines Addictive?
Benzodiazepines are addictive due to their potent effects on the brain’s neurotransmitter system. The most common benzos are Xanax (Alprazolam), Valium (Diazepam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), and Ativan (Lorazepam), which work by elevating the levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA is responsible for inhibiting the activity of neurons, resulting in calming and sedative effects. When these levels are increased, communication between the brain cells decreases, reducing nerve activity and creating the feeling of relaxation. This immediate sense of relief combined with the pleasurable feelings associated with benzo abuse are some of the biggest risk factors for psychological dependence.
In addition, benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence if used frequently. Tolerance develops as a result of repeated drug usage because the brain becomes accustomed to the drug’s presence and is less sensitive to its effects. People may up their dosage to retain the desired effects, which strengthens their reliance. After a longer use period, abruptly stopping or lowering the dosage can cause withdrawal symptoms. In order to prevent or treat these unpleasant effects, users may continue using the substance, reinforcing the addictive cycle.
Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction
There are many people who believe that benzos aren’t as dangerous as they actually are. Many believe that medications are safe no matter how they’re taken because they’re prescribed by physicians, but this isn’t always true. Although they’re commonly prescribed, when it comes to drugs like benzos, they still have the potential for abuse and addiction. Like other habit-forming drugs, they can result in the need to take higher doses or take them more often, which is usually a direct road to addiction.
If you suspect that a loved one is struggling with benzo addiction, below are some common signs of benzo abuse to look out for:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Poor memory
- Fluctuations in weight
- Withdrawing from others
- Odd behavior
- Glassy eyes
- Slurred speech
Another sign is called “doctor shopping,” which is when someone visits multiple doctors for the same ailments within a short window of time to get prescribed the drugs again or to have the prescription refilled back-to-back. The goal of our benzo rehab center is to help individuals recover from their addictions in a safe environment and teach and guide them into living a sober life again.
Benzodiazepine Abuse Treatment
At our Massachusetts treatment center, we strive to help each patient through every step of their journey. From the moment they walk through our doors to the end of their treatment programs, we are by their side to support and guide them. Our team of experts is trained in the signs and symptoms of benzos addiction, which is why we offer a medically monitored detox to lead patients safely through withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms of benzos include:
- Excessive sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches and pains
- Tremors and shakes
- Panic attacks
- Headaches
- Stomach pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Medical detox is an important first step in the recovery process. Drug withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable enough to discourage people from sticking with their plans to quit. Also, this is often the reason why people continue to use drugs in the first place and develop an addiction. They just want to stop the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can even threaten the life of the user, a similar phenomenon seen in cases of alcohol abuse.
At our facility, we understand how difficult it can be to stick with treatment when you feel like you’re being attacked by withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Our medical team is here to help in this phase of treatment to ensure that patients at our inpatient drug rehab in Massachusetts can transition to the next phase of their treatment.
How Our Benzo Rehab Program Can Help
Our team of professionals is here to help patients break away from the hold that benzos have on their life. If you’re interested in our services for yourself or a loved one, then you may be wondering how our benzodiazepine addiction treatment works.
Upon admission, clients take a clinical assessment with our team so we can decide which treatment programs and drug therapy methods will work best for them. Then, patients usually undergo medical detox so they can be treated for their withdrawal symptoms. Once detox is complete, patients may then move on to our benzo addiction treatment program, which includes services like:
- Individual & Group Therapy
- Life Skills Training
- Yoga
- Art Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Addiction Counseling
- & More
At our Northeast addictions treatment center, we offer individualized treatment that suits the needs of each patient. We even help each of our patients develop a unique relapse prevention plan for themselves that will effectively prepare them for when they leave rehab and return to everyday life.
If you feel that you or a loved one has developed a dependency on benzos and needs treatment, contact us to learn more about our Massachusetts drug rehab programs and how to get started on your journey to sobriety today.
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