What you Should Know About Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
For people who suffer from an anxiety disorder benzodiazepines can be miracle drugs that allow them to function again. Unfortunately, like many drugs they are highly addictive and difficult to stop taking.
If you take benzodiazepines for an extended time or take them recreationally, you risk going into withdrawal when you stop taking them. Before you stop taking them on your own, you should know a few important things about benzodiazepine withdrawal.
In Some Cases Benzodiazepine Withdrawal is Dangerous
Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly without treatment can be dangerous, even deadly. Although many of the withdrawal symptoms are manageable, sometimes more severe symptoms present themselves. This usually happens if you:
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause psychosis.
- Use them recreationally
- Have taken more than the prescribed amount
- Use them for years
- Use high dosages
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, these symptoms are:
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Psychosis
These symptoms are the reason why you should seek treatment before stopping your benzodiazepine use suddenly. To find a treatment center call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?).
There are different Types of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
According to the National Library of Medicine, there are different types of benzodiazepine withdrawal. These types are:
- Rebound Withdrawal – you experience more anxiety than you did previously; this type is often short lasting only 1 to 4 days.
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome or Protracted Withdrawal – you experience all of the withdrawal symptoms, this type lasts 10 to 14 days typically.
- Inter-dose Withdrawal – you begin to experience withdrawal when you are in between doses.
- The Final Pattern – this is not actually a type of withdrawal although the National Library of Medicine lists it as one. In this type of withdrawal, your anxiety returns to the level it was before treatment.
You can be afflicted with any of these types of withdrawal if you do not seek treatment for benzodiazepine addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms can go on for Years
Some people, particularly those who use high doses of benzodiazepines experience any one of the types of withdrawal for months or years after stopping. Although not permanent, these symptoms do require treatment.
Tapering is the Best Method to Manage Withdrawal
According to a variety of studies done on benzodiazepine treatment by the National Institutes of Health and the psychiatric community, tapering is usually the best method to manage withdrawal symptoms. Tapering or weaning is gradually reducing the dose you are taking.
Tapering is best done by medical professionals in a treatment center or rehab facility where you can be monitored for symptoms of withdrawal. At a treatment center, there is less chance of relapse or continued addiction.
There is Treatment Available for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Treatment centers can offer a variety of benzodiazepine withdrawal treatments. This includes replacement medications as well as behavioral and cognitive therapies.
You do not have to risk your life going through benzodiazepine withdrawal alone. A professional addiction treatment facility can help you. In order to find the treatment center that is right for you call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?).
