Among people taking benzodiazepines for longer than six months, about 40% experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms when they quit suddenly. With the FDA’s recent mandate for boxed warnings on all benzodiazepine medication, highlighting the risks of dependence, withdrawal, and misuse, the conversation around these drugs has taken on new urgency. Whether used as prescribed or misused, the path to benzodiazepine dependence can lead to a challenging withdrawal process that demands attention, care, and informed strategies for safe discontinuation. Combining medications with therapeutic interventions helps in addressing both the psychological and emotional symptoms that arise during recovery.

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They can range in severity, though for some people, they remain mild and manageable. If you’re predisposed to seizures, your risk of having a seizure may also increase during the withdrawal period. Consequently, experts recommend you take benzodiazepines for no more than 2 weeks if you use them daily. If you only use them once every few days, you may be able to take them for up to 4 weeks. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

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According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), withdrawal symptoms from short-acting benzodiazepines peak on the second day and improve by the fourth or fifth. When you are physically dependent on a drug, it means your body can’t operate normally without it. If you stop or reduce your dose suddenly, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. The primary difference between these drugs is the length of time they stay active in the body. However, benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence and withdrawal even when they are taken as directed. According to the British National Formulary, it alcoholism 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.

Support groups also provide valuable resources and community, helping individuals share their experiences and challenges. Encouraging healthy lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, nutritious diets, and adequate sleep, can further enhance overall well-being and facilitate recovery. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) presents a formidable challenge in the journey to sobriety for individuals recovering from addiction. Unlike acute withdrawal, which features intense but short-lived symptoms, PAWS lingers and poses risks of relapse, affecting approximately 75-90% of individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

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From 1996 to 2013, the number of people filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67%. Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence has become more significant among all age groups, from teens to elderly adults. In 2016, estimates suggest that about half a million people in the United States misused sedative drugs. More serious problems, such as life threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma, can occur if lorazepam is used alongside opioid medications such as codeine, oxycodone, and tramadol. It’s also used to treat panic attacks and can be used for insomnia,” said David Merrill, MD, PhD, a geriatric psychiatrist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

Lorazepam may also be used for short-term anxiety related to a medical procedure, she said, such as when people experience panic symptoms in the confined space of an MRI machine. In addition, 76.2 percent of respondents had not been informed that benzodiazepines are approved for short-term use only and that discontinuation might be difficult. Discover what to do after alcohol detox treatment for lasting recovery and a healthier, supportive lifestyle. Emerging research also suggests acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could also have benefits during benzodiazepine withdrawal.

The brain grows accustomed to their presence, leading to increased tolerance, which means higher doses are required to achieve the same therapeutic effects. Benzodiazepines come in various formulations, each designed to address specific medical needs. Some benzos, such as Valium (diazepam), have a long-acting formulation, making them suitable for treating conditions like generalized anxiety disorder. On the other hand, shorter-acting benzodiazepines like Ativan (lorazepam) are beneficial for acute anxiety episodes or panic attacks. It is as if the nervous system has a “memory” of the withdrawal(s) and/or damage from a substance like benzodiazepines. This “memory” of prior withdrawal(s) and/or damage somehow remains “imprinted” within the nervous system.

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Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe, posing significant challenges for those looking to disentangle themselves from the drug’s grip. If you’ve taken benzodiazepines at high doses for an extended period, you may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time. Doctors may use certainmedications to manage drug cravingsand withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. The benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment guidelines at The Recovery Village allow some patients to be treated with medications.

Factors influencing this variance include the type of benzodiazepine, the duration of usage, the dosage, and the individual’s overall health. The detox itself will happen with high levels of medical support and round-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety and comfort. This type of professional supervised medical detox can significantly reduce the risk of you having severe withdrawal symptoms (such as seizures) and relapse. Withdrawal from prescription drugs doesn’t always end when the these symptoms subside. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a collection of related symptoms, including mood swings, sleep disturbances and intense cravings that can persist for weeks or even months.

Clearly, we need to know more about how to make the stopping process, also called “deprescribing,” easier. There are many reasons long-term benzodiazepine or Z-drug users are counseled https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/prescription-drug-abuse-symptoms-and-treatment/ to stop. Because of the risk of side effects in aging brains, anyone over 65 should do what they can to stop these medications. After as little as two weeks after someone starts using them daily, tolerance and potential for withdrawal set in. With tolerance, the medication’s therapeutic effect weakens, and people need to take higher and higher doses to achieve relief. If people stop these medications suddenly, withdrawal can occur, and symptoms include anxiety, panic, and insomnia.

Acute Withdrawal Phase

The sudden absence of benzodiazepines forces the brain into a state of imbalance, triggering the withdrawal syndrome. Acute withdrawal presents immediately after substance cessation, characterized by severe physical and psychological symptoms. Typically, these symptoms evolve within hours to days and resolve within two weeks. Common acute withdrawal symptoms include nausea, sweating, tremors, and severe anxiety. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) refers to a collection of prolonged emotional and psychological symptoms that manifest after the acute withdrawal phase from substances like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. While acute withdrawal tends to present physical symptoms such as nausea and sweating, PAWS specifically involves lingering cognitive and emotional issues as the brain undergoes a challenging recalibration process post-addiction.

This ongoing care is crucial for fostering a supportive environment, aiding in relapse prevention, and ensuring long-term sobriety. Ongoing therapy plays a critical role in the journey toward long-term recovery from benzodiazepine addiction. After detox, many individuals benefit from consistent therapeutic interventions that focus on psychological health. These frequent sessions allow for monitoring of progress and adjustments to treatment as needed. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after as little as one month of use, even on small, therapeutic doses.

• By being proactive, informed, and vigilant, both patients and caregivers can navigate the complexities of benzo withdrawal with confidence and care.
• This strategy, however, is not recommended for benzodiazepines because of a central nervous system process called kindling.
• Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as “benzos,” have long been prescribed to treat a range of conditions, from anxiety and panic disorders to insomnia and epilepsy.
• Treatment options may include medications like Buspirone or Flumazenil to ease withdrawal discomfort, especially significant during acute stages.

Though there are no specific medications designed specifically for treating benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, there are several drugs that help relieve the discomfort and/or pain of some withdrawal symptoms and assist in recovery. Medical detoxification, under the supervision of healthcare professionals, can help manage and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, certain medications may be prescribed to target specific symptoms. It’s essential to consult a medical professional before attempting to detox from benzodiazepines. Wellness Retreat Recovery in Northern California is here to help those battling addiction. Specializing in residential treatment and drug and alcohol detoxification, we offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to recovery.