The Risks and Realities of Coming Off Benzodiazepines
It does not matter if you are prescribed benzodiazepines or are struggling with benzo addiction from other sources. No matter where you get them from, according to the FDA, stopping benzos cold turkey can be dangerous.
This may leave you wondering: can you die from benzo withdrawals? And how do you overcome this dependence on benzodiazepines and return to your life?
There is a risk of seizures and even death if you suddenly stop benzos, prescribed or not. However, these withdrawal effects can be managed by a healthcare professional. Often, tapering or the use of other prescribed medications is recommended to help ease symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during the benzo withdrawal process, when to seek medical attention and the benefits of going through medical detox at an addiction treatment facility like Catalina Behavioral Health.
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Can You Die From Benzo Withdrawals? Get the Facts
Acute withdrawal symptoms like tremors, panic attacks, and heart palpitations can be scary, but they aren’t dangerous. In some cases though, there is a risk of more severe withdrawal symptoms.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, overdose deaths are also a big risk if you mix benzos with other sedatives or alcohol. Mixing benzodiazepine with any other substance is considered extremely dangerous.
Benzodiazepines have a relaxant effect on the central nervous system. Your body develops a physical dependence on this relaxing effect. When you abruptly quit using benzos, there’s an increased risk of seizures.
Other dangerous benzo withdrawal symptoms include suicidal ideations and attempts, confusion and memory loss, respiratory depression, and coma. Left untreated, some patients do die from benzo withdrawal.
Those at greatest risk are patients with existing physical or mental health problems, those who mix alcohol, opioids, or other drugs with benzos, and the elderly.
Understanding How Benzodiazepines Work
You may be prescribed benzodiazepines to treat insomnia, improve anxiety, or relieve the symptoms of seizure disorders. They may also be prescribed to treat alcohol withdrawal.
However, benzos are habit-forming and there is a risk of benzodiazepine dependence with long-term use. Benzodiazepine misuse by those who are not prescribed benzos is also a problem, though they are not abused at the same rates as stimulants or opioids.
Benzos are depressants that work by relaxing the central nervous system. Like any substance that you take long-term, there is a risk of withdrawal if you quit benzodiazepines cold turkey. Without the depressant effects your body is used to, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepine detox amd withdrawal can also be dangerous.
Some commonly prescribed (and misused) benzodiazepines include Ativan (Lorazepam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), Valium (Diazepam), and Xanax (Alprazolam).
Physical Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
While it does have medical benefits, extended benzodiazepine use causes physical and psychological dependence. Most medical professionals do not recommend taking benzos for an extended time. If you suddenly stop taking benzodiazepines, it can cause these physical withdrawal symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Heart palpitations
- Seizures
Many of these benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms happen because the central nervous system becomes over-excited without the effects of a depressant. Many factors affect withdrawal, though, so your experience may vary slightly.
Mental Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Long-term use of benzodiazepines, even when prescribed, has the risk of having severe mental consequences when you suddenly stop them. Symptoms can resemble psychiatric conditions or make existing conditions.
Some people also experience psychotic symptoms or suicidal ideation. Anxiety and panic disorders, agitated depression, mania, delusions, hallucinations, and schizophrenia are all common following benzo withdrawal.
Protracted withdrawal symptoms persist for weeks or months after quitting. Becoming established with a mental health professional is the only way to learn how to manage these lasting effects of benzodiazepine dependence.
A Standard Version of the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline
Withdrawal symptoms can start within hours of taking your last dose, particularly for benzos with a short half-life including Ativan, Xanax, and Resoril. When taking long-acting benzodiazepines like Valium or Klonopin, withdrawal sets in within 8-24 hours of your final dose.
At a minimum, early withdrawal symptoms last several days. You may notice the return of anxiety, insomnia, seizures, or whichever condition was being treated with benzodiazepines. This withdrawal period lasts several days up to several weeks.
Benzodiazepines have a higher risk of protracted withdrawal than some other substances. You develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome when symptoms last longer than a month and up to a year or longer.
Several factors determine the severity of withdrawal. The type of benzo, how long you have been using benzodiazepines, dosage, health history, and alcohol and drug abuse history all play a role.
Unfortunately, some people experience withdrawal from benzodiazepines for years after they stop using them. Symptoms vary and can even be severe enough to disrupt your daily life and work performance. They include muscle twitches, tingling in the arms and legs, prolonged insomnia and anxiety, mood swings, severe depression, and cognitive deficits.
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Our Tips for Succesful Benzo Withdrawal Management
To manage benzodiazepine withdrawal at home, practice self-care. Drink enough water, choose foods high in nutrients once you can eat, and try to sleep when you can. Recognize the potentially life-threatening symptoms and seek medical attention if you need it. Keep yourself distracted to reduce the temptation of relapse.
Participating in relaxing activities to reduce stress can also be helpful. While exercises can feel uncomfortable, try gentle yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and similar practices.
Reflect on why you are quitting benzodiazepines and feel confident knowing you are overcoming your battle, even if it is hard now. Keeping your sobriety goals in mind helps you get through unpleasant withdrawal.
You should not try to use other depressants, sedatives, or tranquilizers to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. This prolongs your symptoms because it will take your body longer to eliminate the substance from your body. Taking additional depressants can cause slowed breathing and heart rate, putting you at greater risk of benzodiazepine overdose.
Seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose which include confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, altered mental status, respiratory depression, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness, or coma. Narcan will not revive someone who has overdosed on a non-opioid drug.
Addiction treatment programs such as our offerings at Catalina can help with the potential for prolonged symptoms from benzodiazepine withdrawal. Continued support from a therapist or medical professional will help manage potential mental health symptoms like mood changes, severe depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
When to Seek Treatment for Benzo Withdrawal
You should seek medical attention if you are experiencing severe symptoms like heart palpitations, decreased breathing, extreme fatigue, chest pain, or seizures. Medical intervention may also be needed for mental symptoms of benzo withdrawal, particularly if you are a danger to yourself or others.
The Benefits of Residential Rehab for Medical Detox
At Catalina, one of the services we offer clients is medical detox through partner facilities, as well as sub-acute detox. During this program, you’ll be closely supervised for complications associated with the benzo withdrawal process. Medications may be prescribed to relieve severe symptoms and to make the detox process more comfortable.
For people struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, inpatient medical detox is also a chance to seek treatment. Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to manage anxiety, insomnia, or other mental health conditions.
At Catalina, we offer dual diagnosis treatment services that address mental health and addiction. During dual diagnosis, you’ll be able to work with a healthcare professional who can diagnose and treat pre-existing mental conditions using alternative medications.
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Get Professional Help Overcoming Benzos at Catalina
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous. But, you don’t have to go through withdrawal from benzos alone. Reach out to our admissions team at Catalina Behavioral Health for support options.
We can verify your insurance over the phone, answer questions about treatment, or set up an intake or tour of our facility. You’ll find the support needed to overcome benzodiazepine addiction and dependence at our accredited treatment center.
By using evidence-based treatment options, dual diagnosis as needed, and customized treatment plans, we set each client up for long-term recovery from benzodiazepines and other drug abuse. Call us confidentially now to learn more.
References
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9047812/
