Can You Die from Benzo Withdrawals?

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The Risks and Realities of Coming Off Benzodiazepines

Can you die from benzo withdrawals? The short answer is yes. It does not matter whether benzodiazepines were prescribed or obtained from another source. Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly can be dangerous, and withdrawal symptoms should be taken seriously.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can involve serious medical risk, including seizures and other severe symptoms in some cases. People should not stop benzodiazepines abruptly or try to self-manage severe withdrawal symptoms without appropriate medical guidance.

Catalina Behavioral Health does not provide on-site benzodiazepine detox or medical withdrawal management. If detox, hospital-based withdrawal support, medical clearance, or another pre-admission step may be needed before treatment, our admissions team can help callers understand possible next steps before residential care, PHP, IOP, or outpatient treatment in Tucson.

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.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need immediate support, call or text 988.

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 people can, as with the lethal effects from alcohol withdrawal, die from benzo withdrawal side effects, such as seizures.

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. Benzos like Xanax may be prescribed for alcohol withdrawal in some cases.

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. Just as with muscle relaxant drugs that can be habit-forming, 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 overexcited 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 exacerbate 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.

Safety Considerations for Benzo Withdrawal Management

Benzodiazepine withdrawal should be discussed with a qualified medical professional, especially when symptoms are severe, worsening, or difficult to manage. Supportive steps such as hydration, rest, nutrition, and stress reduction may help with general wellness, but they do not replace medical guidance when withdrawal risk is present.

People should not use other depressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, or opioids to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Combining substances can increase the risk of slowed breathing, overdose, injury, or other serious complications.

Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, altered mental status, respiratory depression, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness, seizures, or coma.

Catalina Behavioral Health does not provide on-site benzodiazepine detox or medical withdrawal management. Once a client is medically stable and appropriate for admission, treatment at Catalina can help address benzodiazepine addiction, co-occurring mental health concerns, relapse prevention, coping skills, and longer-term recovery planning.

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.

When to Seek Treatment for Benzo Withdrawal

Medical attention may be needed if benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are severe, worsening, or medically concerning. Symptoms such as heart palpitations, decreased breathing, extreme fatigue, chest pain, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts of self-harm should be taken seriously.

Treatment After Benzodiazepine Detox or Medical Stabilization

Detox and addiction treatment are different services. Medical detox focuses on withdrawal management and medical stabilization. Ongoing treatment focuses on the patterns, mental health concerns, coping skills, relapse risks, and recovery planning connected to benzodiazepine misuse.

Catalina Behavioral Health does not provide on-site benzodiazepine detox, sub-acute detox, or medical withdrawal management. After a client is medically stable and appropriate for admission, treatment at Catalina may include residential care, PHP, IOP, outpatient treatment, dual diagnosis support, therapy, and continuing recovery planning.

At Catalina, we offer dual diagnosis treatment services that address mental health and addiction. During dual diagnosis therapies, you’ll be able to work with a healthcare professional who can diagnose and treat pre-existing mental conditions using alternative medications.

Get Professional Help Overcoming Benzos at Catalina

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, medically serious. People should not stop benzodiazepines abruptly or try to manage severe withdrawal symptoms without appropriate medical guidance.

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.

For adults who are medically stable and appropriate for admission, Catalina Behavioral Health provides treatment for benzodiazepine addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns in Tucson. Call us to learn more about available treatment options.

FAQs: Can You Die From Benzo Withdrawals?

References

1. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9047812/