How Long Does It Take to Detox from Benzos?

According to the classification, these drugs have a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. During the acute withdrawal phase, doctors may monitor the person and recommend other drugs to control problematic symptoms. During the early stages of withdrawal, the person may notice the symptoms of the condition that the drug was treating start to return, or rebound. For example, symptoms of anxiety or insomnia may come back or get worse without the drugs. People looking to get off benzos should do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional, who may recommend coping strategies and other tools to make the withdrawal process more comfortable.

How Is Recovery.com Different?

Depending on which benzodiazepine you are currently taking, your doctor may want to switch you to a different one before your taper begins. Short-acting benzodiazepines complicate withdrawal with too many ups and downs. Diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine, is the most common choice for dose tapering. Longer-acting benzodiazepines like Klonopin (clonazepam) can stay in the system longer, which means it can be one to two days or even longer before withdrawal symptoms start. Benzodiazepine addiction treatment starts with a medically supervised detox but requires long-term treatment to overcome. Those suffering from a severe benzodiazepine addiction will often need inpatient rehab treatment to successfully detox and begin therapy and counseling in a safe and temptation-free environment.

Depression

This is because inconsistent use doesn’t pose the same risk of dependence or withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are a powerful class of medication used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorder. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

Knowing these factors is key for anyone thinking about or currently going through benzo withdrawal, highlighting the need for medical advice and a tailored approach to treatment. These drugs tend to be readily available because they are used so routinely in the treatment of a variety of disorders and symptoms. They are often used to treat anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and can be used to help with seizure management and to relieve insomnia. While this drug does have many useful implementations under physician supervision, Benzos, or benzodiazepines, also carry the risk of being a highly addictive substance. As a result, addiction to this drug can occur within a handful of uses and only worsen from there. Once dependency sets in, withdrawal can occur when you try to stop using.

Table of Contents

Recognizing the signs of withdrawal and understanding how to manage this phase is essential for easier and smoother recovery. 1This article assesses the causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies for benzodiazepine withdrawal, emphasizing the significance of professional guidance during this period. Physical and mental Benzo withdrawal symptoms differ but usually peak within 1–2 weeks. However, some people experience protracted withdrawal that can last for several months. How long benzo withdrawals last varies by dosage, usage length, and personal health. Long-term (typically more than four weeks) regular use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal when the dose is reduced, or the medication is abruptly stopped.

• As a result, addiction to this drug can occur within a handful of uses and only worsen from there.
• It’s important to note that this can happen even when benzos are taken exactly as prescribed, which is why long-term use is generally discouraged.
• You may also choose to continue with therapy to help manage your daily life stressors.
• This way, your body has a chance to rid itself of benzos slowly, and the withdrawal symptoms will not be as intense.

• When benzodiazepines are abruptly discontinued, the brain struggles to compensate for the loss of their calming effects, resulting in increased nervous system activity.
• As chief Clinical Officer at FHE Health, a nationally recognized behavioral health treatment provider, he ensures quality, innovation, and comprehensive treatment for patients.
• Poor memory and concentration are also features of benzodiazepine withdrawal, and are probably due to continued effects of the drug.
• For example, anticonvulsants may lower the risk of seizures, while beta-blockers can help manage physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and tremors.

Requirements for water and salt vary with body size, environmental temperature, amount of exercise, etc. so cannot be stated categorically. However, there is no need to drink extra amounts of fluid during withdrawal with the idea of “flushing out impurities/toxins”. Alcoholics Anonymous The body is very good at doing this, even at minimal fluid consumption, and surplus water is simply excreted. There are many measures that will alleviate these symptoms, such as muscle stretching exercises as taught in most gyms, moderate exercise, hot baths, massage and general relaxation exercises.

Psychological Symptoms

• It can be encouraging to find that you are not alone, that there are plenty of others with similar problems to yours.
• This makes it really important to follow your doctor’s advice closely and be careful if you’re taking benzos for a long time.
• Medical detox provides 24/7 supervision, seizure prevention protocols, and life-saving interventions when symptoms peak.
• Avoid formulaic plans which reduce the dosage to zero in a fixed amount of time.
• Therefore, most benzodiazepine detox programs prioritize proper nutrition and hydration to support the body’s recovery.
• There are also fears that antidepressants such as Prozac may in some patients induce an agitated, violent or suicidal state at the start of treatment; low initial dosage and careful monitoring may avoid this risk.

These sensations, including an unpleasant smell (which usually no-one else can detect) have been described in anxiety states in the absence of benzodiazepines. Like insomnia and panics, they are probably reflections of heightened activity in the central nervous system. Such hypervigilance is part of the normal fear and flight response which is damped down by benzodiazepines but undergoes a rebound during withdrawal. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Neither drug had any effect on the severity of withdrawal symptoms, but the rate of taper was 25% of the benzodiazepine dose each week – a rather fast withdrawal! The following list of symptoms was compiled from existing symptom lists and also with contributions from the individuals who have suffered and endured benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes themselves. These symptoms can occur while still taking the medication if in tolerance and interdose withdrawal are present, or they may present during a taper and/or post-cessation.

Tapering changes

• They should never quit benzos suddenly without first consulting a professional and developing a plan with them.
• If you’re predisposed to seizures, your risk of having a seizure may also increase during the withdrawal period.
• Those withdrawing from long-acting benzodiazepines may start noticing symptoms during this period, which can last up to 7 to 10 days.
• Alternatively, an antihistamine with sedative effects (e.g. diphenylhydramine Benadryl, promethazine Phenergan) may be used temporarily.

For those diagnosed with sedative use disorder, treatment typically begins with gradually reducing the benzo dosage. This process can occur in a residential setting like West Georgia Wellness Center, depending on the severity of the condition. In some instances, healthcare providers might prescribe alternative medications to facilitate the cessation of benzo use. For example, if you’re on a short-acting benzo, they might switch you to a longer-acting variant to ease the dose reduction. From the start of Guideline development, the guideline committee was aware of the potential for unintended consequences.