Tens of millions of people take benzodiazepine drugs, commonly known as benzos, every year in the United States.
These drugs are among the most widely prescribed to patients struggling with a wide range of health problems because the medication depresses the central nervous system and offers anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and sleep benefits.
Yet, these drugs have dark side. Common benzos like Ativan (Lorazepam), Doral (Quazepam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), Librium (Chlordiazepoxide), Serax (Oxazepam), Tranxene (Clorazepate), Valium (Diazepam) and Xanax (Alprazolam) create fast benzodiazepine dependence, which is one of the main reasons one-third of patients who take these drugs become dependent almost immediately after they start usage. On average, between three and five million people engage in benzodiazepine abuse annually.
As with other addictive substances, benzos damage your health, destroy your relationships and undermine your financial and social stability. Read on to learn more about benzo addiction and how treatment options through a rehabilitation and recovery center can help you or a loved one finally beat it:
Benzodiazepine drugs are highly effective because they increase dopamine production and interact with GABA receptors, which slows down many physical functions (such as brain activity, breathing, and heart rate), leading to a feeling of calm and relaxation shortly after usage. However, these same drugs disrupt natural processes so significantly that patients often need higher doses or high doses over time to achieve the same positive effects. For example, a person with anxiety disorders may require an increased dose to prevent panic disorders, and a person with insomnia may need more for regular, deep sleep.
Patients seeking relief from serious health conditions are often blind to the harm caused by benzodiazepines, which is why these drugs can be incredibly dangerous. Over time, physical dependence can develop, leading to a situation where tapering off the drug becomes necessary to avoid severe benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, some physicians prescribe benzos without close monitoring, fail to treat the underlying causes of suffering, or neglect to warn patients about the risks of mixing benzos with socially accepted drugs like alcohol or nicotine, which increases toxicity and can lead to life-threatening consequences. Additionally, people with a history of substance use disorder or drug abuse may turn to benzos, sometimes obtaining them illegally, to manage their addiction to other substances, such as opioids.
Mixing benzodiazepines with other substances, like alcohol or opioids, can worsen withdrawal symptoms or even lead to relapse. Some doctors prescribe benzos to manage co-occurring alcohol withdrawal, even though combining these substances can make symptoms worse. In some cases, people use illegal benzos as a way to manage cravings from other substances, significantly raising the risk of dangerous outcomes.
Age does not shield individuals from the addictive potential of benzo use. Whether someone tries a benzodiazepine for the first time at 25 or 50, they can still develop drug addiction, even if they initially took the medication to treat short-term conditions like muscle spasms or work-related anxiety. After treatment, even if the underlying condition improves, some individuals continue to crave the calming effects of benzos. Many people do not recognize their drug use has become problematic until they experience withdrawal symptoms or attempt to manage their cravings with over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse and healthcare providers emphasize the importance of monitoring benzodiazepine use and educating patients on the risks to avoid long-term dependency.
For individuals dealing with benzo addiction, support groups and professional help are critical. A comprehensive treatment plan, including substance abuse treatment and tapering protocols guided by a healthcare provider, can help manage withdrawal and cravings safely, ensuring a smoother path to recovery.
Professional personnel at substance abuse treatment centers recognize that no “one-size-fits-all” treatment exists for addiction, especially benzodiazepine addiction. Although medical professionals can’t guarantee that every treatment option will provide a specific addict with a positive outcome, a combination of treatments using a holistic approach increases the chance of success and lasting sobriety.
Preexisting environmental, genetic and other factors put some people at higher risk for this specific type of addiction:
The staff at Synergy Sobriety Solutions, a Florida-based addiction treatment center, understand that the underlying causes of benzo addiction extend far beyond this list. They also understand that long-term recovery requires proven, evidence-based treatment programs and compassionate, comprehensive care.
Normal and rare benzodiazepine side effects, benzo addiction and drug withdrawal cause disruptive symptoms that can upend a person’s enjoyment of life. In some scenarios, such as with adverse side effects, overdose and mixing addictive substances, benzo usage can result in death.
The primary side effects alone include:
Addiction adds additional problems, such as:
Everyone experiences addiction and detox in different ways. The best way to beat a benzo addiction is with a medical drug detox. Treatment lessens serious symptoms during withdrawal such as:
Some people who refuse to seek professional help either stop trying and return to an addict’s life or die while trying to soldier through withdrawal alone with no one to watch over them or help during a medical emergency. A drug detox can take more than two weeks.
During a professionally supervised drug detox treatment, licensed medical experts help patients through this time by educating them about their addiction and the expected symptoms and outcome of detox. They monitor the patient’s progress at a residential or hospital site and provide supportive services to ease the patient safely through this difficult time.
Synergy Sobriety Solutions provides a safe space and effective treatments that help patients treat withdrawal symptoms and underlying conditions. They use dual diagnosis, custom treatment planning so their clients can grow and recover with the help of a fully developed, healthy support system. They promote accurate diagnoses for all underlying conditions, the use of non-habit-forming medications, therapeutic options that encourage a positive mindset, build life skills and reduce stress, and life-long medical and social support. The center’s three main areas are:
Given the diverse potential symptoms during withdrawal from benzodiazepine, a patient must have medical personnel nearby at all times who can offer supportive services. Synergy Sobriety Solutions provides medication-assisted treatment to decrease overall symptoms, increase motivation, improve sleep, reduce cravings and promote better mental and physical health. The staff also monitors around the clock to guarantee safety. Medical monitoring can prevent a dangerous situation. When you can’t help yourself, staff members of sound mind and body attentively monitor your experience and work hard to prevent relapse and even death.
Patients have a higher chance of long-term success when they detox and receive treatment at a residential inpatient center. That said, not all patients need inpatient assistance. Some might need a short-duration hospital stay or outpatient support. All treatment options are designed to remove temptation as much as possible and provide people to support you and have your back during and after treatment. Medical personnel start by assessing your health and life history and total health needs, including detoxification and physical, emotional and cognitive ones. They expose the underlying causes of your addiction. Once they have a good view of the issues, they customize the program to fit those needs. Therapy and Long-term Support
The type of therapy depends entirely on the personalized program. Synergy Sobriety Solutions might offer a patient in a residential inpatient drug rehab rehabilitation setting option at our approved providers, for example, individual and group counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce negative thoughts; dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT); eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EDMR Therapy) to deal with physical or trauma-based mental health issues; or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to cope with stress through meditation techniques. They might provide housing in a supportive environment to help you break bad habits, learn previously unknown health and life skills, or reduce stress and temptation while seeking a new job. In terms of long-term services, they offer a comprehensive aftercare program and outpatient treatment that focus on family counseling, group therapy, relapse prevention, fulfillment of recovery goals, and ongoing support.
Whether you live in Florida, you’re visiting, or you merely want to find help away from your hometown or state, the staff at Synergy Sobriety Solutions provides the professionalism and care needed to take that first step toward recovery. Their compassionate team offers comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment and diverse solutions, including outpatient programs, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and support at their treatment facility, all customized to your unique body, mind, and needs. They help you address the underlying causes of your addiction.
It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling with benzo addiction or are a caregiver, supportive friend, family member, or coworker who wants to help someone, Synergy Sobriety Solutions offers a proven system for sobriety and long-term recovery. For more information, please call us today.
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