Benzo Treatment

What are Benzos?

A “benzo” is a nickname for the class of prescription drugs knowns as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines or “benzos”, such as Valium, Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and Ambien, are extremely addictive sedatives used to manage anxiety, seizures, panic attacks, and insomnia. Because benzos are so commonly prescribed, it is easier to obtain and misuse them than illegal street drugs.

Benzo abuse can cause hostility, memory loss, irritability, and abnormal dreaming. Users also run the risk of slowing down the central nervous system, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that over 30 percent of overdoses involving opioids also involve benzos. Unfortunately, combining benzodiazepines with alcohol or other drugs is common among those with substance use disorders and makes the drugs especially dangerous. Chronic misuse of benzos can create tolerance and, ultimately, dependence.

Dangers of Benzos

Proper treatment is essential to overcoming benzo addiction. Without medical supervision and assistance, serious complications may result from benzo withdrawal. Royal Life Centers at the Haven and RLC at Puget Sound offer guests safe and effective medication-assisted benzo detox.

The short-term effects of benzodiazepine use may include:

Tolerance
Fatigue
Feeling faint or unsteady
Anxiety attacks
Confusion and faulty coordination
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Problems with memory and cognition
Changes in mood

The long-term effects of benzodiazepine use may include:

Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal thinking or ideation
Irritability
Problems with cognition

Should I seek treatment for benzodiazepine addiction?

Signs of benzodiazepine dependence may include:

“Doctor shopping” for prescriptions
Snorting, injecting, or otherwise misusing pills to increase effect
Using benzos with other drugs, like opioids, or alcohol
Engaging in high-risk behaviors
Loss of interest in things formerly enjoyable
Using in spite of negative effects
Symptoms of withdrawal and/or drug cravings

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or others, you or someone you love may have a benzo problem and should seek medical help to detox safely.

Benzo withdrawal is physically and emotionally trying, and symptoms vary in severity. Generally, a “rebound” stage characterized by anxiety and restlessness, lasting one to four days, will take place upon cessation of benzo use, with more serious symptoms lasting between ten and fourteen days (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Guests are monitored 24/7 throughout detoxification by on-site medical staff.

Withdrawal symptoms from benzos may include (National Center for Biotechnology Information):

Insomnia
Irritability
Tension and anxiety
Tremors
Seeming inability to concentrate
Nausea and vomiting
Headache and hallucinations
Muscle pains
Drug cravings

What happens after medical detox?

Following medical detox at Royal Life Centers at the Haven or Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound, guests may continue treatment at the residential inpatient level at RLC at Puget Sound. Our addiction specialists incorporate a variety of holistic therapies into one program designed to treat mind, body, and spirit and address the very roots of substance use disorder. Guests continue their recovery journey with us at Royal Life Centers at Sound. Our comprehensive aftercare program consists of PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living. Ultimately, teaching guests the skills that they need to build independent, sober lives for themselves. We do all we can to make sure that guests have the resources and support that they need. Evidenced by our in-house sober living staff, job readiness training, and regular group and individual therapy sessions. If you or a loved one has a benzodiazepine addiction, or any substance use disorder, please reach out to us at (888) 716-4070 about your detox and treatment options. Our admissions staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns Because We Care.

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