Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, as well as other health conditions. When you take them regularly over time, your body can become physically dependent on them, leading to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them abruptly or after a period of long-term use
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is uncomfortable and can be dangerous if not monitored closely by medical professionals. The long-term effects of benzodiazepines are still unclear, but short-term side effects include loss of coordination, memory impairment, and reduced concentration.
The symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal can range from mild to severe. The severity of your symptoms depends on how long you have been taking benzos, your dosage level, and how often you take them. Some people experience seizures or a loss of consciousness during withdrawal; others don’t.
Although death from benzodiazepine withdrawal is rare, it can occur. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can include agitation, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, sweating, shaking, and seizures. Severe symptoms can lead to delirium tremens (DTs), which can be fatal. If you are experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, it’s important to seek medical help immediately.
This guide will walk you through the stages of benzodiazepine withdrawal and help you cope with each stage effectively so that you can get back to living your life free of benzodiazepine addiction and withdrawal.
How Benzos Work in The Human Body
Benzodiazepines work by binding to GABA receptors in the brain. This increases the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety. When benzodiazepines bind to GABA receptors, it causes a sedative effect. Benzodiazepines are prescribed for conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Some common benzodiazepines include Xanax, Ativan, and Valium.
Because of its effect on neurotransmitters like GABA, benzodiazepines also have some effects on other systems in your body. For example, benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness by affecting acetylcholine activity. They also have a calming effect on your autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is responsible for things like digestion and heart rate.
Benzodiazepines can influence receptors that act as part of your immune system; they’re sometimes used to treat autoimmune disorders because they lessen inflammation. But too much use of benzodiazepines can make your immune system overly sensitive and potentially lead to an increased risk of infection.
The length of time it takes for withdrawal symptoms to occur depends on how long you’ve been taking benzos and how long you were using them each day. Individuals who took low doses or only used benzos occasionally might not experience any withdrawal symptoms at all when they stop taking them after just a few weeks.
What Are Benzodiazepines Prescribed For?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. They are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizure disorders, and alcohol withdrawal. They can also be used as muscle relaxants and to sedate patients before medical procedures.
While benzodiazepines are effective at treating these conditions, they can also be addictive. When someone takes benzodiazepines for a long period, they may develop a tolerance to the drug. This means they will need to take higher doses to achieve the same effect.
What Causes Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
If you have been taking benzodiazepines for more than 4 to 6 weeks, it is highly recommended that you stop taking them under medical supervision. The withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable but not life-threatening. Typically, withdrawal lasts anywhere from a few days to a few months.
Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can cause serious problems such as seizures or psychosis. Medical professionals are available to help you gradually taper off your medication so that your body has time to adjust while reducing your risk of experiencing dangerous side effects during withdrawal.
Symptoms of Benzodiazepines Withdrawal
Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause several uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms. These can include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, muscle pain, irritability, and panic attacks. In severe cases, seizures or hallucinations may also occur. Other symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawals include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Agoraphobia (fear of situations that feel difficult to escape)
- Anxiety, including physical symptoms such as muscle tension, tight chest, fast heartbeat, sweating, trembling, or shaking
- Blurred vision
- Concentration problems
- Dizziness
- Face and neck pain
- Headaches
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, touch, and smell
- Loss of interest in sex
- Loss of appetite
- Mild to moderate depression
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Restlessness
- Sleep problems
- Sore eyes
- Sore tongue and metallic taste
- Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- Tingling in the hands and feet (pins and needles)
- Unsteady legs
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Weight loss
- Burning sensations in the skin
- Confusion
- Delusions (strongly held beliefs that other people don’t share)
- Depersonalization (feeling detached from your surroundings)
- Derealization (feeling out of touch with reality)
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Muscle twitching
- Paranoia
- Seizures (fits)
Symptoms That You or A Loved One May Be Experiencing a Benzo Withdrawal
If you or a loved one have been taking benzodiazepines and suddenly stopped, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include rebound anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, and nausea. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be dangerous, so it’s important to seek medical help if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.
The symptoms include a feeling of agitation and nervousness, sweating, shakiness, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), headaches, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, mood swings (extreme highs and lows), weight loss, and chest pain. These are just some of the many symptoms that come with benzodiazepine withdrawal.
The above symptoms can cause insomnia, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness. A person experiencing withdrawal from benzodiazepines may also experience panic attacks or other mood swings that cause them to feel unstable in their daily lives. They may be short-tempered with their loved ones or unable to handle stress properly.
What Happens During the Benzo Withdrawal?
As the body becomes dependent on benzodiazepines, it starts to adapt to their presence. When they are suddenly removed, the body can no longer function normally. This can lead to various withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and more. In severe cases, benzo withdrawal can even be life-threatening.
Benzo withdrawal is often a long process. The symptoms of benzo withdrawal generally begin within hours after you stop taking your last dose of benzodiazepines. However, it can take several weeks for all benzo withdrawal symptoms to fully subside.
This means that if you are undergoing benzo detox under medical supervision, you may be prescribed medications to help ease symptoms and speed up recovery from benzo dependence. Medications like buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), or clonidine (Catapres) can reduce cravings while helping restore natural function in your brain without inducing additional side effects.
Available Treatment Options for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The severity of symptoms will depend on several factors, including the person’s level of dependence, how long they have been taking the drug, and the dose they were taking.
Treatment options for withdrawal are available to help manage symptoms and minimize discomfort. Some people may require detoxification to stop taking benzodiazepines safely. Withdrawal can be a difficult process, but there is help available. The treatment options include:
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
MAT is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a whole-patient approach to treating substance use disorders.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. These drugs can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms when people stop taking them. MAT can help people addicted to benzodiazepines by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
MAT is not a cure for addiction, but it can help people stay in treatment and recover from their addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, talk to your doctor about MAT.
Good MAT programs will start with assessing your mental and physical health, then help you set goals. They’ll help you develop a plan to meet those goals, including a timeline and any resources that may be necessary. To find a good program, ask around or check out online forums or reviews to learn about what others have had success with. You can also contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free referral services to support your recovery process.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can effectively treat benzo withdrawal. CBT can help you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors contributing to your withdrawal symptoms. CBT can also help you to develop coping and problem-solving skills.
You should see a qualified therapist for the best results with benzo withdrawal treatment. In some cases, family or friends may help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Before therapy begins, you’ll meet with your therapist to discuss your goals for treatment. Then, each session will typically focus on one specific symptom.
Most people benefit from seeing their therapist once or twice a week for 30-60 minutes per session in the early stages of therapy. As symptoms improve over time, you may only need to visit your therapist once every two weeks.
When it comes to substance abuse problems like benzo addiction, most experts recommend that therapy be used in conjunction with other treatments such as rehab or self-help groups.
Medication
There are several medications that can be used to help treat the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. These include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta blockers.
Some of these medications may be more effective than others depending on the individual’s symptoms. It is important to work with a medical professional to determine which medication or combination of medications is right for you.
The appropriate medications should be tapered off in consultation with a medical professional. The goal is to decrease your dosage until you are stable on a minimal amount of medication. If you find that medication doesn’t work well for you, it may help to change medications or a combination of medications. It’s important to have a plan ready in case medication isn’t an effective option, such as exercise therapy and healthy eating plans.
Coping Strategies for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
When you are finally ready to stop taking benzodiazepines, it can be difficult to imagine coping with the withdrawal symptoms that will ensue over the following weeks and months.
Even if you’ve been taking benzos for years, you may think you’ll never be able to handle your anxiety or insomnia without them. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies that you can use to cope with withdrawal symptoms so that you can stay strong through this process and emerge on the other side feeling clean and sober again.
- Eating well
- Drinking plenty of water
- Using over-the-counter medications to relieve the withdrawal symptoms
- Sleep
- Meditation
How Can Defining Wellness Can Help Those That Are Addicted and Struggling with Benzos
If you or someone you know is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, it’s important to seek professional help. Addiction treatment centers can provide the necessary support and resources to help individuals cope with withdrawal and start on the road to recovery.
Defining Wellness offers various services that include individual therapy, group therapy, sober living facilities, sober companionship, and family counseling to address the many needs of an addict.
Defining Wellness can help those that are addicted and struggling with benzos because it provides a framework for understanding and addressing the root causes of addiction. It also helps to set realistic expectations for recovery and sobriety.
Furthermore, Defining Wellness can help individuals find meaning and purpose in sobriety, motivating them to stay sober. It is important to remember that everyone’s journey to Wellness is unique, so there is no single answer for how to achieve it.
They offer their clients the opportunity to take control of their lives by exploring their feelings and thoughts in a safe environment. Their therapeutic approach is grounded in mindfulness techniques, where they teach clients how to understand their triggers and make better decisions about how they want to live their lives.
