Benzodiazepine drugs, or benzos, including Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium, are prescription medications that can easily lead to physical dependence. Because patients find they need higher and higher doses, they often become addicted to benzos within a matter of weeks. Fortunately, Apex Recovery’s licensed therapists have worked to restore the health of hundreds of patients with benzodiazepine dependence.
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What Are Benzos?
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for stress, anxiety disorder, insomnia, panic attacks, and other similar disorders. They can also be prescribed as part of drug addiction rehabilitation. They fall into two categories. First, short-acting drugs or fast-acting, such as Xanax, Ativan, and Halcion. Second, long-acting drugs or slow-acting, like Valium, Klonopin, and Librium.
The way they act is they provide the body with a feeling of calm. Unfortunately, the body responds to them by shutting down the natural mechanisms for sedation. That’s why it is so easy to get dependent on benzos.
The intensity, duration, and type of symptoms vary from one case to another, but they follow some general characteristics. First of all, it depends on what type of Benzo the patient was using, how much, and for how long. Short-acting benzos, like Xanax, are known for rather intense and serious withdrawal symptoms and can often lead to a Xanax addiction. This is due to the fact that these medications take less time to leave the patient’s body.
Short-Acting vs. Long-Acting Benzos
With short-acting benzos, such as Xanax, withdrawal symptoms usually kick in after six to eight hours and may last for up to two weeks. They normally manifest themselves as strong discomfort, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and restlessness. When quitting cold turkey, the body is struggling because it has switched off its natural calming mechanisms. Bodily sensations include sweating and increased pulse rate and blood pressure.
Quitting long-acting bezos, such as Valium, will usually show signs of withdrawal after one to four days. The symptoms usually peak around 10 to 14 days after the quit date and fade away after three to four weeks. It is possible that some patients who have used this type of benzos will experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome, known as PAWS, which is a protracted withdrawal that can last from three months up to two years. During PAWS, the patient will feel anxious and worried and might experience bouts of sudden, acute-like withdrawal symptoms months later.
Having a physician for medical detox support during the detox process is essential for success.
The Process of Benzo Detox
The drug needs to be removed from the patient’s system, but this must be done with expertise and professional knowledge, to minimize the health risks. Lack of supervision is particularly dangerous if seizures or suicidal behavior emerge as part of the detox.
If an individual has co-occurring disorders like panic disorder or anxiety disorder, it is especially important to treat all issues during the detox process for long-term recovery at our inpatient rehab center in Tennessee. If you need rehab for benzodiazepine addiction, we are here for you.
At Apex Recovery, a physician will work directly with you to customize the medical detox during benzo treatment to your needs during recovery. Sometimes, tapering the dose down or switching from short-acting to long-acting benzos will be the best way to detox.
In others, non-addictive medication is used to support the process. However, in either case, it is important that the patient goes through counseling with a psychologist or psychiatrist in order to get to the bottom of the dependence problem. Counseling will diminish the possibility of relapse and assist the patient in coping with problems that led to the addiction in the first place.
Detoxing From Benzos On Your Own Isn’t Recommended
Detoxing without professional help is never a good idea. Even if it seems like the easier route, you can’t control the intensity of withdrawal symptoms or avoid potential post-acute withdrawal effects. The best way to remain safe and comfortable during this challenging process is to turn to professional help.
At Apex Recovery, our experts have helped a lot of people with benzodiazepine dependence. We work together as a team to provide you with the best treatment and care for your condition so that you can move on from addiction and live a healthier life.
Benzo Detox Program in Tennessee at Apex Recovery
Our benzo detox program doesn’t just treat the addiction. By utilizing a holistic approach, we get to the root of the dependence and treat the physiological causes of illness as well as foster a safe medical detox environment. As a result, our patients can break free from their benzo addictions. If you need a Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax rehab center, Apex Recovery is here to help. We offer luxury inpatient benzo addiction treatment designed for long-term recovery.
If you are ready to fight the horrible effects of your physical dependence, call our prescription drug rehab California treatment center today. Our trained and professional staff will help you fight your substance abuse through proven treatment methods. If you are suffering from a Xanax addiction or any other prescription medication, Apex Recovery is here for you. Call us today.