Are benzos disrupting your ability to lead your company effectively? Despite past attempts to quit, the withdrawal symptoms you endured led to a return to use.
In 2022, approximately 3,700 Floridians died from a benzodiazepine-related overdose. This includes alprazolam, clonazepam, and temazepam, among others. The best way to avoid an overdose is to find recovery from the substance. However, the first step is withdrawal, which comes with uncomfortable symptoms. At Tranquil Shores, we want to make this process easier for you, as it will allow you to remain safe. Today, we are talking about what you can expect during benzo withdrawals.
What Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
When someone is taking less benzodiazepines than they usually take, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. It occurs when someone decides to stop taking benzos altogether, has gone a long time without them, or has taken a reduced dose. These symptoms are uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Causes
When someone has a benzodiazepine use disorder, their body has become used to the presence of the substance. During withdrawal, the brain strives to balance the chemicals it naturally makes without the substance it has become used to. While it is doing this, people will experience symptoms, which is how the body requests more benzos. The symptoms eventually disappear, and the brain will return to its standard functioning.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Dangers
Benzo withdrawal is usually not dangerous. The symptoms people experience are mostly uncomfortable. If someone develops or has worsening mental health concerns while withdrawing, there could be complications. Some people may have an increase in anxiety symptoms that make it challenging to sleep or think. If someone has worsening depression during withdrawal, they may develop thoughts of harming others, self-harm, or suicide. Medical attention is necessary to treat worsening mental health disorders. Seizures may also occur during benzo withdrawal, especially if someone suddenly stops taking the substance.
Attending a detox program will give you the proper treatment needed if they develop. In addition, they will keep you safe if any complications occur while you are experiencing withdrawal.
Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
There are a variety of symptoms someone might experience during withdrawal. You will not experience all of them. How severe they are will depend on how long you have consumed the substance. Someone who has only been partaking in benzos for a few weeks will have less severe symptoms than someone who has for several years. One of the most common symptoms people may experience is intense cravings, which may lead to a return to use. There are other symptoms someone might experience.
Psychological Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Psychological withdrawal symptoms are among the most common that you may experience. This may include the development of depression or anxiety, but it can also include other symptoms as well. Below are some of them:
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Delusions
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings
- Low motivation
- Feeling like bugs are crawling on the skin
- Poor memory
- Poor concentration
- Agitation
- Restlessness
The severity and combination of psychological symptoms you have will depend on your history with benzodiazepine. Things like how much you consume are factors. No matter your experience, it is essential to remember that the symptoms are temporary, and healing is possible on the other side.
Physical Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical symptoms also occur during benzodiazepine withdrawal. Like psychological symptoms, your history will determine how severe these might be. Most of these symptoms will not be permanent with appropriate treatment and time. Some of the physical symptoms someone might experience during benzodiazepine withdrawal include:
- Physical aches and pains
- Sweating
- Hyperventilation
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Fast heart
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
- High blood pressure
Though not typically dangerous, if any physical symptoms are not improving or worsening, it is important to consult a medical professional. Alongside this, it is crucial to maintain your water intake, as it will prevent the development of dehydration.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline
Like when it comes to the severity of your symptoms, different factors impact how long you will experience benzodiazepine withdrawal. Because of this, everyone will have a different timeline. Some factors that influence your timeline include:
- Length of time taking it
- Dosage amount
- Existing mental health disorders
- Taking multiple substances together
- Your metabolism
- The half-life of the substance
The half-life of benzodiazepine is the time it takes for your body to remove half of the last dose of the substance. Different types of benzos have different half-lives. A short-acting substance will have a quicker half-life than a long-acting one. Your metabolism will affect how quickly your body removes it.
Short-acting benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, will cause symptoms 1-2 days after your last dose, and they may last for several weeks. Long-acting ones, such as nitrazepam, may take longer for symptoms to appear. They often begin to show symptoms a week or longer after the last dose and may continue to exist for several weeks or months.
Often, the first symptoms to appear for either type of benzodiazepine are anxiety and insomnia. Afterward, other symptoms may follow. Some people may notice their symptoms come and go throughout the process.
Rarely some people may experience what is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These are symptoms that may exist for a year after the last dose. They tend to impact a person’s life significantly. The good news is with proper treatment, many people who develop PAWS still find recovery, and their symptoms will eventually become manageable or disappear. Everyone recovers at a different pace, and whatever pace you experience is expected.
Is Medical Detox Necessary for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
A medical detox is recommended if you are deciding to stop taking benzodiazepines. While withdrawal from this substance is not ordinarily dangerous, if complications arise, there will be a team of people who will assist in ensuring your safety. Your detox will take place in a secure and comfortable setting that aids your body in the natural removal of benzodiazepines. Your body will return to its average chemical balance during this time.
Get Help for Benzodiazepine Addiction in Florida
Perhaps you started taking benzodiazepines to counteract the anxiety that was a roadblock in your climb to the top. Now that you are here, you have come to realize that you have developed a benzodiazepine use disorder. You have tried to stop taking it, but seeing a life without it has become challenging. You know you need help, but with your busy schedule, you don’t know where you will get the treatment you deserve without leaving work behind..
Individualized treatment that provides skills and techniques and guarantees you are a top priority is vital for your ability to heal. You want a rehab for benzo addiction that puts your unique needs and circumstances above anything else and ensures you remain safe and comfortable during your stay at their facility.
At Tranquil Shores, our 3:1 client-counselor ratio gives you this opportunity. You will be in an environment that will provide you with the tools necessary to overcome benzodiazepine use disorder and find a successful recovery journey so you can get back to what matters to you most.
With direct beach access, Tranquil Shores provides quality, detail-oriented treatment to individuals with a benzodiazepine use disorder. We also understand that the job will not be paused while you are recovering. It has to keep running, so they allow people to use their phones and laptops while attending high-caliber treatment. For those ready to start their recovery from benzodiazepines, call us at 727-391-7001 for the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
