If you’re using shorter-acting Benzos, you’ll likely notice withdrawal symptoms sooner than if you were using longer-acting ones. The best way to detox from a benzodiazepine is under medical supervision and in the care of addiction specialists. Physical symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal are slurred speech, impaired vision, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms. Think objectively about how you feel after a dose reductionand compare these symptoms to how you feel when you catch a cold or flu. When you get a flu do you worry a lot about how terrible you’refeeling or do you just accept that you’ll feel crummy for a few days and thatyou’ll feel better in time.
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Our dedicated team is here to guide you through every step of the detoxification process, offering a blend of medical expertise, compassionate care, and a supportive community environment. Navigating the journey of benzodiazepine withdrawal is a profound challenge that demands courage, patience, and comprehensive support. It’s a path marked by complexities and personal trials, yet it is also a journey toward reclaiming control and finding a healthier balance in life. The withdrawal process, while daunting, offers an opportunity for growth and healing, underscored by the resilience of the human spirit.
( Make sure you have adequate psychological support
- The interesting thing about these memories is that they often start to occur at the same time that vivid dreams appear; these may be delayed until one or more weeks after the dosage tapering has started.
- This way, your body has a chance to rid itself of benzos slowly, and the withdrawal symptoms will not be as intense.
- Medical supervision ensures safety and mitigates risks, while psychological support provides the tools to navigate the emotional landscape of recovery.
- Poor memory and concentration are also features of benzodiazepine withdrawal, and are probably due to continued effects of the drug.
- Sometimes the other person’s face will appear when looking in the mirror.
It has a half-life of up to 200 hours, which means that the blood level for each dose falls by only half in about 8.3 days. The only other benzodiazepines with similar half-lives are chlordiazepoxide (Librium), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) and flurazepam (Dalmane), all of which are converted to a diazepam metabolite in the body. The slow elimination of diazepam allows a smooth, gradual fall in blood level, allowing the body to adjust slowly to a decreasing concentration of the benzodiazepines. The switch-over process needs to be carried out gradually, usually in Drug rehabilitation stepwise fashion, substituting one dose at a time. Many people have suffered because they have been switched suddenly to a different, less potent drug in inadequate dosage because the doctor has not adequately considered this factor.
Benzo Withdrawal: Signs, Symptoms, & Timeline
Equivalent potencies of benzodiazepines are shown in Table 1 (Chapter I), but these are only approximate and differ between individuals. Protracted withdrawal syndrome refers to symptoms persisting for months or even years. A significant minority of people withdrawing from benzodiazepines, protracted withdrawal syndrome benzodiazepine withdrawal which can sometimes be severe. Tinnitus occurring during dose reduction or discontinuation of benzodiazepines is alleviated by recommencement of benzodiazepines.
- The best place to start for both prescribers and patients is the Ashton Manual, to date the best and most complete work on the subject.
- Combining benzodiazepines with other substances or medications, such as antidepressants, can lead to the development of mental illnesses such as panic disorder or depression.
- These are sometimes prescribed during withdrawal, especially prochlorperazine (Compazine).
- Patients may have been taking benzodiazepines for an anxiety or other psychological disorder; following withdrawal from benzodiazepines, the patient is likely to experience a recurrence of these psychological symptoms.
- Withdrawal symptoms may persist for a few days or weeks.Some people experience withdrawal symptoms that persist for months or evenyears after cessation of use.
What is the most important information I should know about benzodiazepine withdrawal?
Like many other issues concerning benzodiazepines, the answers to these questions are still unclear. Benzodiazepine concentrations in the blood have been measured and shown to reach undetectable levels in 3-4 weeks after cessation of use in people withdrawn from clinical doses. Information on benzodiazepine concentrations in the brain and other tissues is difficult to obtain, especially in humans. Benzodiazepines certainly enter the brain and also dissolve in all fatty (lipid-containing) tissues including fat deposits all over the body. It is possible that they linger in such tissues for some time after blood levels have become undetectable. However, most body tissues are in equilibrium with the blood that constantly perfuses them, and there is no known mechanism whereby benzodiazepines could be “locked up” in tissues such as the brain.
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Good Landing Recovery equips individuals with a personalized aftercare plan, so the foundation built during detox and rehab leads to lasting freedom. At Good Landing Recovery, we understand that withdrawal is one of the hardest parts of the recovery process. That’s why we provide a compassionate, Christ-centered environment that balances professional care with spiritual encouragement. During the acute phase, the risk of dangerous complications—especially seizures—is highest.
- In 2016, estimates suggest that about half a million people in the United States misused sedative drugs.
- Those withdrawing from long-acting benzos start to feel these symptoms during this time, which could last 7-10 days.
- Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines can occur following prolonged treatment with therapeutic doses, but it is not clear what proportion of patients are likely to experience a withdrawal syndrome.
- But suicides have occurred in several reported clinical trials of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- These can be taken for short periods of a few weeks and stopped by reducing the dosage stepwise or taking the drug every other night.
The extra sleep time that benzodiazepines provide is spent mainly in light sleep, termed Stage 2 sleep. REM and SWS are the two most important stages of sleep and are essential to health. Sleep deprivation studies show that any deficit is quickly made up by a rebound to above normal levels as soon as circumstances permit. Withdrawal isn’t just physical—it also affects mental and emotional health. Benzodiazepines, often referred to simply as ‘benzos,’ are a class of psychoactive drugs that have been a significant part of the therapeutic arsenal for over half a century.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Several types of benzodiazepines are sold under popular brand names like Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). According to the British National Formulary, it is better to withdraw too slowly rather than too quickly from benzodiazepines.67 The rate of dosage reduction is best carried out so as to minimize the symptoms’ intensity and severity. Anecdotally, a slow rate of reduction may reduce the risk of developing a severe protracted syndrome. A patient would report anxiety or sleeplessness and they would be given a prescription.
Risk Factors in Benzo Withdrawal
With the right support and understanding, individuals can successfully transition to a benzodiazepine-free life. The duration and severity of benzodiazepine withdrawal vary widely among individuals. Some might experience mild discomfort for a short period, while others could face severe symptoms lasting for months. Factors influencing this variance include the type of benzodiazepine, the duration of usage, the dosage, and the individual’s overall health. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is a series of physical, emotional and behavior changes experienced when a person tries to reduce its dose or cease taking a benzodiazepine like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Diazepam, Librium or Onfi.
