BENZO DETOX
THE FIRST STEP TO LASTING RECOVERY FROM BENZO ADDICTION
Benzodiazepines or “benzos” are a group of prescription medications with sedative qualities. Commonly sold under the brand names Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan and more, benzos have proven to be powerful tools against anxiety, insomnia and other sleep disorders. The have also proven to be addictive and extremely dangerous, particularly when mixed with alcohol. Benzo abuse is one of the most common addiction threats across the globe. Although the United States has been battling an epidemic of prescription pain medication, Xanax is actually the most commonly abused prescription medication in the world. As the number of addiction cases continues to increase, so does the need for quality, safe and reliable benzo detox.
Benzodiazepine addiction represents one of the most urgent and pervasive substance abuse threats in the United States. While opioids have become the dominant topic of substance abuse treatment, education and prevention conversation, benzodiazepines remain the unsung prescription addition threat claiming thousands of lives each year. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates that nearly 30 percent of all overdoses involving opioids also involve benzodiazepines. In the meantime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that deaths from benzos have increased nearly tenfold from 1999 to 2017, an increase surpassed only by addictive synthetic opioid such as fentanyl.
One of the cruelest ironies about benzo addiction is that the very conditions that they’re meant to treat can be exacerbated during the opioid withdrawal period. Due to the legally regulated, albeit controlled, nature of benzodiazepine addiction, the lines between acceptable use and abuse can often get blurred, and it’s imperative that loved ones and friends look out for signs and symptoms, some of the more common of which include:
Dishonesty Regarding Use
Rationalizing Frequency of Use
Bizarre and Erratic Changes in Behavior
Ethically Questionable Actions
Legal Issues Related to Benzo Use
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
If you or your loved one is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms, it’s critical that you get help immediately to mitigate further damage.
BENEFITS OF MEDICAL BENZO DETOX
Professional detox provides a variety of clinical care advantages that going it alone simply can’t match. The entire process is designed to help patients safely purge their system of benzo-related toxins while making them as comfortable as possible during the withdrawal process. These programs include trained doctors or medical professionals that can intervene in the event of a medical emergency; a safe, compassionate and sterile environment to get better and access to withdrawal-relief resources in a controlled and supervised environment. This is a prime alternative to trying to detox alone in one’s bedroom; an endeavor that almost always causes users to run back to benzo abuse.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Benzo abuse and addiction yield a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. The exact symptoms of each patient’s withdrawal period will vary based on their history of abuse and the presence of other drugs in their system; however, common benzo withdrawal symptoms include:
Mild to Severe Pain
Restless and Irritability
Anxiety and Depression
Intestinal Distress
Dilated Pupils and Blurred Vision
Breathing Problems
Other effects may include insomnia, increased blood pressure, dramatic changes in mood, seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), hallucinations, PTSD, thoughts of suicide, coma and more. If you or someone you care about has begun to experience these or any other symptoms due to your benzo use, get help immediately.
AFTER BENZO DETOX
While benzodiazepine detox is a critical part of the treatment process, it’s only the beginning. Following expert, medically supervised management of withdrawal symptoms, it’s imperative that those in recovery for benzo addiction get comprehensive behavioral help to address the ongoing psychological issues associated with their use. These drugs create serious and lasting changes in the brain’s chemistry which can lead to significant cognitive and behavioral ramifications. Recovery Unplugged offers a full continuum of care for benzo addiction, including detox, rehab, aftercare and more. We provide detox at multiple locations throughout the country, including Austin, TX and Lake Worth, FL.