Quitting Benzodiazepines: Signs and Treatment

Benzodiazepines are drugs prescribed by doctors for symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in a calming effect. According to RTL Nieuws, over 1.37 million people in the Netherlands use benzodiazepines. The drug can be easily ordered online, contributing to the abuse problem.

Hui’s (2018) research suggests that benzodiazepines are powerful drugs with significant risks and benefits. Their use requires ongoing research, and physicians should be cautious because of the risks of exacerbating delirium and over-sedation.

Benzodiazepines are addictive due to their calming effect. The body becomes accustomed to the medication and requires more to achieve the same effect, leading to increased need and dependence.

In the short term, benzodiazepines cause effects such as drowsiness, impaired coordination, and delayed reactions. They can also evoke feelings of euphoria, contributing to their addictive nature.

The greatest danger of benzodiazepines is their potential for abuse and addiction. Excessive use can lead to serious health issues, including extreme drowsiness, respiratory problems, and even death.

If you want to quit benzodiazepines, seeking medical assistance is essential. Safe tapering under medical supervision and psychological support are the two critical steps in this process.

Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines include anxiety and insomnia. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and may require medical support.

Why Are Benzodiazepines Dangerous?

Benzodiazepines are dangerous because they are addictive and can have severe side effects. They can cause cognitive decline, including memory impairment and decreased coordination. These effects increase the risk of motor accidents and hip fractures, especially among older individuals. Additionally, benzodiazepines can interact with other medications, such as opioid painkillers, enhancing the effects and potentially being fatal.

Research by Bushnell, G., Crystal, S., & Olfson, M. (2019) published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine emphasizes that benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed in the US but carry safety concerns, including dependence. It is crucial that healthcare providers consider these issues when prescribing this class of drugs.

Addiction to benzodiazepines can be deadly. Overdose is a real risk, especially if the drugs are combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can also lead to extreme withdrawal symptoms. Signs of overdose can include slurred speech, loss of coordination, delayed reactions, and shallow breathing. If you suspect someone has overdosed, seek medical help immediately.

Research by Kim, H., Myung, S., Park, Y., & Park, B. (2017) published in the International Journal of Cancer reports that benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

What Signs Indicate Someone is Addicted to Benzodiazepines?

There are various signs that indicate if someone is addicted to benzodiazepines.

1. Multiple prescriptions: Addicts often attempt to obtain multiple prescriptions by visiting different doctors.
2. Physical symptoms: These include muscle weakness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, blurred vision, headaches, and fainting.
3. Cognitive changes: Confusion, slowed thought processes, poor concentration, decreased inhibition, judgment errors, and perceptual disturbances are indications.
4. Memory issues: Addicts may struggle with recall.
5. Psychosocial symptoms: These include feelings of hostility, sudden mood changes, emotional detachment, mood dysregulation, and intense irritability.
6. Social isolation: Addicts might isolate themselves from family and stop participating in activities.
7. Failing to meet obligations: This can be at work, despite negative consequences.
8. Increasing need: Addicts often need more benzodiazepine to achieve the same effect.
9. Withdrawal symptoms: If access is denied or they try to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
10. Continuing despite consequences: This might be relational, financial, or legal problems.

It’s important to note that benzodiazepine addiction is not limited to these signs. Seek professional help if you think there is a problem.

How Can You Overcome Benzodiazepine Addiction?

Overcoming benzodiazepine addiction requires a professional approach. The process includes detoxification, treatment of withdrawal symptoms, and behavioral therapy. It is crucial to seek medical assistance from a healthcare provider or specialist. They ensure safe removal of the drug from the body and manage negative symptoms.

Helping someone quit is challenging. Treatment in a clinic often leads to better outcomes. Rehabilitation centers provide supervised detoxification, manage withdrawal symptoms, and offer ongoing care.

How Can You Help Someone Quit Benzodiazepines?

Helping someone quit benzodiazepines starts with providing support. It is important to involve the addict in seeking professional help. Encourage the person to attend therapy and learn about the addiction to assist better. Set clear boundaries and communicate them. Ensure you do not enable harmful behaviors. Celebrate successes to motivate the person.

Addiction quitting is a time-consuming process, so be patient.

What Happens During Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in a Rehab Clinic?

In a rehab clinic, benzodiazepine addiction is professionally treated. This process includes crucial steps like medical detoxification and behavioral therapy. Medical professionals monitor the individual’s health and manage medication to control withdrawal symptoms. Removing the drugs from the body is a crucial step in treatment.

Behavioral therapy helps identify patterns and behaviors contributing to addiction. Therapies such as contingency management are common and aid in changing negative thoughts and behaviors. Using medications like buprenorphine can reduce symptoms and support the recovery process.

After treatment, individuals often receive aftercare. This care may include living in a sober living clinic. It helps manage the transition to a drug-free life. Ongoing support is crucial for successful recovery from benzodiazepine addiction.

There are clinics in the US, UK and abroad that treat benzodiazepine addiction. These clinics offer comprehensive treatment that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the addiction.

Can Foreign Clinics Help You Quit Benzodiazepines?

Yes, foreign clinics can help you quit benzodiazepines. These clinics offer specialized treatments for benzodiazepine addiction. They have a wide range of therapies to help individuals quit safely and comfortably. Detoxification is an important part of treatment, managing withdrawal symptoms.

A significant advantage of foreign clinics is the shorter waiting time for treatment. This is because these clinics often have more capacity than domestic clinics. They also offer aftercare services to support recovery and prevent relapse.

When choosing a foreign clinic, it is important to research the clinic’s reputation. Choose a clinic that meets your individual needs and offers a comprehensive treatment plan.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Benzodiazepines?

The most common withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines are increased anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, tremors, excessive sweating, severe seizures, muscle stiffness and pain, heart palpitations, digestive issues, and abdominal pain. Difficulty concentrating, focusing, and memory problems may also occur.

These symptoms can vary depending on the dose and duration of benzodiazepine use. It is important to know that symptoms can start within hours of stopping and may last from days to weeks.

The withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines differ from those of other sleep medications. This is due to the specific way benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system.

How Does Quitting Benzodiazepines Differ from Other Sleep Medications?

Quitting benzodiazepines differs from other sleep medications in several ways. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and quitting them can take longer and be more difficult than with other medications. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, ranging from physical symptoms like tremors and insomnia to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.

For example, it is not uncommon for someone stopping benzodiazepines to experience withdrawal symptoms for several weeks or even months, while withdrawing from other sleep medications often occurs more quickly.

Withdrawing from benzodiazepines often requires a more intensive approach than other sleep medications. This can include a combination of behavioral therapy, physical support, and medication. Seeking help is a crucial step in overcoming an addiction to benzodiazepines, whereas other sleep medications often require less intensive guidance.

How does withdrawing from lorazepam differ from that of other benzodiazepines?

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication with calming and anxiety-reducing effects. Withdrawing from lorazepam differs from other benzodiazepines due to its atypical effects on memory, visual perception, and EEG activity. These differences can be attributed to specific binding profiles to not yet fully understood benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. This suggests that lorazepam has unique properties that set it apart from other benzodiazepines.