Benzo Addiction Treatment

• Alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR)
• Clobazam (Onfi)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Diazepam (Valium, Diastat Acudial, Diastat)

• Estazolam (Prosom – discontinued brand in the US)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Oxazepam (Serax – discontinued brand in the US)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

What Causes Benzo Addiction?

Like other drug addiction effects, benzodiazepines cause a dopamine discharge.  Dopamine is a chemical contributing to how we feel pleasure.  Over time, these drugs alter the way the brain releases dopamine.  This affects the way people feel euphoria or happiness from all activities.  As a result, people addicted to benzodiazepines can sometimes feel happy unless they take large doses of the drugs.

Addiction also alters the motivation system in the brain.  The brain correlates the substances with happiness and causes cravings that drive the person to take the drugs, and withdrawal is another part of benzo addiction.  People who attempt to discontinue the drugs on their own are seldom able to make it through withdrawal.  Instead, the symptoms are usually so painful that people return to the benzos for relief.

Benzodiazepine Side Effects

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Trembling
• Impaired Coordination
• Vision Problems
• Grogginess
• Feelings of Depression
• Headache

Benzo Addiction Long Term Side Effects

• Possible Dementia
• Physical Dependence
• Overdose

Benzo Addiction Overdose

The most significant risk of using benzodiazepines and a reason to get into a benzo addiction treatment program is likely overdosing.  With a capacity to develop a tolerance, the longer someone takes benzodiazepines, the greater dosage they will need to take to reach the desired effect.  Hence, the greater the risk of overdosing.  In addition, sedative benzos cause breathing to slow.  In turn, less oxygen is directed through the lungs to the brain and the rest of the body.  Finally, once you take a larger dose, breathing delays to the point of being fatal.

Benzo Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

The benzo withdrawal symptoms will differ depending on how the detox process is administered.  For instance, in a professional detox center where the client is weaned off properly, symptoms include feeling sleepy and depressed and sweating and chills. 

General

• Headache
• Palpitations
• Sweating
• Tremor
• Muscle pain, stiffness, and aches (limbs, back, neck, jaw)

Neurological

• Dizziness
• Paraesthesia or shooting pains in neck and spine
• Visual disturbances (blurred vision, diplopia, photophobia, image lags behind eye movements)
• Tinnitus
• Faintness and dizziness, sense of instability
• Confusion, disorientation (may be intermittent): A common cause of disorder in older patients
• Delirium (in the absence of autonomic hyperactivity): Particularly in older patients
• Delusions, paranoia
• Hallucinations (visual, auditory)
• Grand mal seizures 1–12 days after discontinuing benzodiazepines

Gastrointestinal

• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Diarrhea (may resemble irritable bowel syndrome)

Psychological

• Rebound insomnia, nightmares
• Anxiety, panic attacks
• Irritability, restlessness, agitation
• Poor memory and concentration
• Perceptual distortions – sensory hypersensitivity (light, sound, touch, taste), abnormal sensations (e.g., ‘cotton wool’ sensations)
• Metallic taste
• Distortions of body image
• Feelings of unreality, depersonalization, derealization
• Depression, dysphoriac

Benzodiazepine Detox Withdrawal Timelines

Much like detoxing from other prescription drugs, benzo withdrawal timelines can differ from case to case.  For someone using short-acting benzos, withdrawal symptoms may begin to present themselves in as little as 6 to 8 hours.  However, if a longer-acting benzodiazepine was used, it could be 24 to 48 hours before symptoms are observed.  Withdrawal symptoms typically last about four days.  And rebound symptoms may last about 2-3 days from when they begin.

Benzo Addiction Treatment At We Level Up NJ

Benzo addiction can have social and psychological effects on those who struggle with it.  Unfortunately, some may find these effects to be the most significant difficulty they encounter.