How Serious Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal (And Will I Need Treatment)?
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is often extremely serious and will usually require treatment in order for an individual to safely whether their symptoms. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) now for help finding a safe, reliable detox center where you can begin withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs.
The Dangers of Benzodiazepine Dependence and Withdrawal
The dependency caused by the consistent use or abuse of benzodiazepines can be extremely serious. Without understanding your withdrawal symptoms and the necessary treatment for them, you could become very ill and even experience life-threatening effects. The medical journal Addiction published a study that lists benzodiazepine’s withdrawal symptoms as:
Sleep disturbance is a common symptom of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Sleep disturbance
- Irritability
- Increased tension
- Panic attacks
- Hand tremors
- Sweating
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Palpitations
- Headache
- Muscle pain
In addition, individuals can experience severe psychological effects, including anxiety and depression. Benzodiazepine addicts also often experience these issues along with and before their abuse of the drug begins, as many people begin taking these specific drugs in order to treat anxiety disorders. As such, the possibility of these issues returning during detox––often more severe than they originally were––can be extremely dangerous.
Seizures can be a severe effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal as well, sometimes even for those who have never experienced this effect before. Full-blown psychosis can also be a temporary result of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Is Withdrawal from These Drugs Deadly?
It absolutely can be. A person could experience severe depressive or anxious symptoms that may cause them to act out or hurt themselves. In addition, the psychosis that does sometimes result from benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause a person to become a danger to themselves and others. Seizures can also be extremely dangerous, especially for those who have never experienced them before and have no idea how to treat them. It is possible for someone to become very hurt as a result of the behavioral and even the physical symptoms caused by their withdrawal.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Patients addicted to barbiturates and benzodiazepines should not attempt to stop taking them on their own. Withdrawal symptoms from these drugs can be problematic, and––in the case of certain CNS depressants––potentially life-threatening.” Therefore, professional treatment is necessary for a safe recovery.
How Can Treatment Help Someone in Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
Detox is the safest way to begin treatment after becoming dependent on benzodiazepines. Then, if you have been abusing these drugs, rehab will be necessary for you to recover fully and be able to put a stop to your substance abuse. According to the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, professional detox for benzodiazepines begins with medication and often utilizes behavioral therapy as well.
Most patients require a slow tapering of their medication or another type of benzodiazepine in order to minimize their severe withdrawal symptoms and to detox safely from this particular drug. Without medication, withdrawal can be too intense and extremely dangerous. As the individual’s medication is slowly tapered, their vitals will be monitored and they will receive as much consistent care as necessary. Those with severe withdrawal symptoms may need to receive treatment in an inpatient center.
Behavioral therapies are often utilized to treat the patient’s psychological withdrawal symptoms as well to help them recognize their triggers that may lead to cravings for the drug. Often, this type of treatment program helps patients transition from detox into rehab more smoothly. In addition, therapy can treat symptoms associated with anxiety and depression at the same time as withdrawal and addiction. According to the NIDA, this is the safest way for someone suffering from comorbid disorders to be treated.
Professional care for benzodiazepine withdrawal will make the entire process much safer, help patients transition more smoothly into rehab, and minimize the symptoms associated with this disorder, which makes the entire process much less traumatic. Whether you will need inpatient or outpatient detox will often depend on different aspects of your condition (including the severity of your symptoms), but benzodiazepine withdrawal is absolutely serious and dangerous enough to require professional care.
How Can I Find a Detox Program for My Withdrawal Syndrome?
Every individual patient needs the treatment program that best fits their needs. Call 888-602-1971(Who Answers?) today and let us help you find the best option for your recovery from benzodiazepine withdrawal and the first step in your journey to put an end your substance abuse for good.
