Benzodiazepines are part of a drug class called tranquilizers that are usually prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety and sleeping disorders. They work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that act as messengers between brain cells. Benzos reduce activity among neurotransmitters and brain cells, producing calm and relaxed side effects. Some common types of benzos include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Because these drugs have a high potential for abuse, we offer a benzo detox at Clearbrook Massachusetts as the first step in treating a patient’s addictions.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Detoxing from benzos can be difficult without medical assistance. It’s normal for individuals with benzodiazepine addictions to experience psychological and physical symptoms known as withdrawals. Benzo withdrawal symptoms come and go and can last anywhere between one to seven days after the person’s last use.
The severity of benzo withdrawal symptoms can depend on factors like:
- The current dose the person has been taking
- Duration of the person’s addiction
- Whether they’ve taken multiple substances
- Whether they take other kinds of benzodiazepines or sedatives
- Whether they’re detoxing from more than one substance
The longer a person has abused benzos, the more frequent and severe their withdrawal symptoms may be during detox.
Some common symptoms of benzo withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Muscle spasms
- Sweating
- Tremors and shaking
- Hyperventilation and disrupted breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Aches and pains
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
- The sensation of skin-crawling or goosebumps
- Depression
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Blurred vision
- Difficulties concentrating
In extreme cases, patients may also experience grand mal seizures. Our Massachusetts rehab center understands the importance of providing 24-hour care and medical assistance during detox. We offer a medical detox for benzo and a variety of other substances to ensure that patient health and safety are prioritized and to reduce the chances of health complications.
Benzo Withdrawal Timeline
When people who have used benzodiazepines for a long time decide to stop taking them, they may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms that appear gradually. The initial phase frequently starts within the first few days of quitting, and it is marked by minor symptoms that may get more severe over time. As it establishes the tone for the succeeding phases of withdrawal, this initial stage is critical.
People may experience worsening withdrawal symptoms over the first week, which can be extremely upsetting. During this phase, physical and psychological consequences may intensify, which could result in more pain and emotional difficulties. Most people have a plateau phase after the initial phase, which normally lasts for the first two weeks. Withdrawal symptoms may be consistent or fluctuate during this stage, making adjustment difficult for those going through it.
The length of each stage might vary from person to person, and the schedule for benzodiazepine withdrawal is not set in stone. While the procedure may take several weeks for some people, it may take months or even longer for others who may experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms. Expert medical advice and support must be sought due to the possible severity of withdrawal to ensure a safe and successful transition during this challenging time.
How to Safely Detox From Benzos
The most effective way to detox benzos is to undergo a medical detox at a rehab facility. We are one of the best benzo detox centers in Massachusetts that adapt treatment to fit patients’ needs. While we follow strict benzo detox protocols, we also adjust our level of care and supervision to keep patients safe and healthy. An important aspect of our benzodiazepine detox is that we administer medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and increase patients’ chances of completing detox. However, medication is always administered as needed, as some patients may experience more severe withdrawals than others.
Our inpatient benzodiazepine detox is usually followed by substance-specific treatment. We often admit patients with severe drug addictions to our Massachusetts inpatient drug rehab. This is a form of inpatient treatment that requires patients to live onsite while they’re in the program. Inpatient is particularly beneficial for patients who are transitioning to treatment from detox because it separates them from outside distractions. We prefer to help patients slowly transition back into their daily routines to keep them on track and increase their chances of recovery.
Benzos are addictive drugs that can cause severe physical and psychological dependence. At Clearbrook Treatment Centers Massachusetts, we offer a variety of medically assisted detox programs that provide effective treatment that’s sensitive to patients’ unique needs. We recommend our detox services to individuals who are battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol as a safe first step in the recovery process.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and needs help, contact us now to learn more about the levels of care at our drug rehab in Massachusetts.
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