Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are a class of prescription medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and seizures. Since benzodiazepines are legal and available by prescription, some people believe them to be safe. However, these drugs are highly addictive, and anyone who takes them outside of the recommended instructions may be at risk for tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
NJ Recovery Solutions is comfortable treating benzodiazepine addictions. These drugs can involve painful and even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, so it’s important that individuals receive adequate monitoring and support.
With so much attention on opioids, benzos are frequently overlooked. However, these drugs can be deadly when combined with other drugs or when going through the withdrawal process. So how do these drugs get into the hands of people in the first place?
Typically, benzos are prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, or seizures. They may also be used during the alcohol withdrawal process to manage symptoms. These Schedule IV controlled substances slow the nervous system and brain functioning. Specifically, they act upon the GABA receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect, which is why they are often used to treat acute anxiety.
Common benzodiazepine drugs you may have heard of include:
Since benzos may be prescribed legally, it’s not always obvious that someone is abusing them. However, the key symptoms revolve around sleepiness, drowsiness, and dizziness. Feeling this way can also raise the risk of accidents, which is why it’s recommended not to drive on this medication until the effects wear off.
The signs and symptoms that someone may be abusing benzos are:
Benzos slow down the central nervous system, causing people to feel sleepy and relaxed. The brain then seeks out this feeling again, prompting the person to take more and more. As the natural cycle of tolerance occurs, the individual needs a higher dose to achieve the same effects. Furthermore, benzos strip away the brain’s ability to produce its own dopamine.
An important part of treating a benzo addiction is to address the underlying problem, which is typically anxiety. By teaching people how to manage their anxiety symptoms effectively, they will be less dependent on medications.
As a matter of fact, most people who participate in therapy are able to reduce or eliminate anxiety symptoms after several months of psychotherapy. Anxiety is a highly treatable condition, and once symptoms are under control, people have a lesser need and desire for benzodiazepines.
When a person is ready to quit using benzos, detox kicks off the process. Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines can be uncomfortable and even life threatening in some cases, especially when a person stops cold turkey. This is why a medical detox program with built-in support is recommended.
In medical detox, individuals are given a personalized treatment plan to help them detox safely and successfully. The plan will address the dose they are taking and how long they have been abusing the drug. Rebound symptoms are the most common withdrawal symptoms, and they usually turn up one to four days after stopping the drug.
Once the detox portion of treatment is complete, individuals can move onto an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program. Without ongoing support, relapse is a real possibility. Most treatment programs will taper down the drug until the person is completely off of it. This is the safest and most effective way to detox from benzos.
Keep in mind that benzo recovery often involves intense psychological symptoms that require treatment and therapy. Not only will therapy help manage these symptoms, but also it will address underlying problems that may have led to the abuse, such as unresolved trauma or social anxiety. People who struggle with benzo addiction often struggle with anxiety, which is why individual counseling, group therapy and family therapy are especially beneficial.
By stopping the use of benzos, a person is adding valuable years onto their life. Are you ready to do the same? To discuss your options for cutting back and quitting the use of benzos, contact the treatment team at NJ Recovery Solutions today.
The benzodiazepine addiction treatment program at NJ Recovery Solutions is designed to address both the physical dependency and the psychological aspects of addiction. Treatment begins with a medically supervised detoxification process to safely manage withdrawal symptoms under the care of healthcare professionals. Following detox, the program includes a combination of inpatient and outpatient treatment options depending on the severity of the addiction and the specific needs of the individual. Treatment modalities include individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling, along with support for any co-occurring mental health conditions.
Yes, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an integral part of the benzodiazepine addiction treatment at NJ Recovery Solutions. MAT can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, which is particularly important for benzodiazepine addiction due to its severe withdrawal process. Medications such as long-acting benzodiazepines are often used under strict medical supervision to taper the dosage safely and prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
Polydrug abuse, where an individual uses multiple substances, including benzodiazepines, is common and can complicate the treatment process. At NJ Recovery Solutions, we conduct a thorough initial assessment to identify all substances being used and their impact on the individual’s health and behavior. Our treatment plans are then tailored to address all aspects of polydrug abuse, using an integrated approach to treat the multiple dependencies simultaneously. This often involves a combination of specialized detox protocols, targeted behavioral therapies, and comprehensive aftercare planning to address the complexities of polydrug abuse effectively.
