Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal

Doctors commonly prescribe benzos, short for benzodiazepines, to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and convulsions while providing relief from associated symptoms. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines are also among the most misused medications in the United States and come with dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors usually prescribe benzos for a short time or for specific reasons, but people quickly develop a physical dependence and continue to take them.

Benzo withdrawal is complicated, with mental and physical symptoms that can last from days to months. It can be dangerous without medical supervision.

How Do Benzos Work?

Benzodiazepines are drugs that slow down the central nervous system, helping to regulate brain signals in both the body and mind.

The body naturally produces a chemical known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which plays a crucial role in regulating the speed of the brain’s signals to the body.

GABA is the central nervous system’s most vital neurotransmitter, contributing to stress response, sleep regulation, and memory functions.

Benzodiazepines interact with different binding sites in the brain to boost the effectiveness of GABA receptors.

When used for an extended period at high dosages, GABA receptors lose their efficiency because of heightened drug tolerance. When people abruptly stop taking high doses of benzos, the number of receptors in their brain decreases, causing severe withdrawal symptoms

Typically, people with anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, seizure disorders, or those undergoing alcohol withdrawal require benzodiazepines to help address their imbalanced GABA production.

Types of Benzos

Benzodiazepines are classified into two types: short-acting and long-acting. Numerous kinds of benzodiazepines are accessible, and each one, generic or brand-name, possesses unique applications and impacts.

The distinction lies in the medication’s strength and the duration of its effects. Both high and low-potency benzos are available as tablets, extended-release capsules, or liquid forms.

Short-Acting Benzodiazepines

High potency indicates that the drug’s effects are quicker to start and more intense. These are short-acting benzos, meaning the effects fade sooner than those of low-potency benzos.

High-potency benzos are favored by those addicted to them because the effects are felt quickly. However, since the effects are short-lived, users often take more to maintain the high.

High potency benzodiazepines include:

• Xanax, generic name: alprazolam
• Ativan, generic name: lorazepam
• Klonopin, generic name: clonazepam
• Halicion, generic name: triazolam

Long-Acting Benzodiazepines

Low-potency benzos have a delayed onset and remain active in the system longer than high-potency benzos.

Some people mix weak benzos with alcohol because the effects kick in at the same time.

Low potency benzos include:

• Valium (diazepam)
• Flurazepam
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Serax (oxazepam)
• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
• Tranxene (clorazepate)

Both potent and weak benzodiazepines carry a significant risk of addiction. Abuse of benzodiazepines can quickly result in physical reliance, tolerance, and substance abuse disorders.

How Long Does Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines Last?

The duration of benzodiazepine withdrawal varies based on several factors. The key determinant is whether the person tapers off or abruptly quits, also known as quitting cold turkey.

For safety and comfort, it’s advised to taper or gradually decrease doses, but this approach isn’t always the most convenient or feasible for those using benzos.

Withdrawal can begin within eight to twelve hours after the last dose and persist for weeks. Yet some people may not feel acute withdrawal symptoms until several days or weeks after they stop taking the medication.

The reason people experience varying withdrawal onset times is linked to how long the specific type of benzodiazepine they’ve been taking remains in their system.

As noted earlier, some medications take longer to exit the body and, therefore, delay the onset of withdrawal symptoms.

Some people who use benzodiazepines for a long time may have protracted withdrawal symptoms that last for months or even years.

Other factors that affect the duration of benzodiazepine withdrawal include:

• The type of benzo
• Dosage amount
• Duration of use
• Method of ingestion
• Other drugs or medications taken
• Underlying mental health conditions
• Preexisting physical conditions

It is crucial to seek medical advice before stopping any medication. Quitting benzos cold turkey after using them for more than one to six months can be hazardous and potentially life-threatening.

Benzo Withdrawal

Even those who have been taking benzos for just a month can experience withdrawal symptoms.

People who stop taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia may have their symptoms come back, known as “reemergence.”

Rebound symptoms occur when the condition treated with benzos appears to be worse than before.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BWS) is when symptoms come back and get worse after stopping the medication.

Managing mental health and withdrawal can be daunting, particularly for those attempting to quit benzos without professional support.

Studies indicate that experiencing BWS is a significant reason people struggle to quit benzos on their own.

Short-Term Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can begin as soon as eight hours after the last dose.

Symptoms and side effects that arise quickly and with intensity are known as acute and typically don’t last more than a few days, but they can still be unpleasant.

A few of the most frequently observed short-term withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines include:

• Headaches
• Muscle soreness
• Light sensitivity
• Sweating
• Shaking or tremors
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Difficulty focusing
• Fatigue
• Elevated heart rate
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Emotional outbursts
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Long-Term Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Some benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms take longer to appear or are less noticeable amid the more intense short-term symptoms.

Symptoms persisting for more than a few weeks are known as protracted. These symptoms might remain consistent or arise unpredictably over weeks or months.

People who have relied on benzodiazepines for an extended period or in large quantities are more susceptible to intense and prolonged withdrawal symptoms. Persistent symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal might have factors including:

• Forgetfulness
• Despondency
• Detachment
• Vision impairments
• Delusions
• Hyperactivity
• Thoughts of suicide
• Convulsions
• Unconsciousness
• Mortality

It’s crucial to seek medical advice before attempting to quit any benzodiazepine.

How to Get Through Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

The safest approach to quitting benzos and managing withdrawal is to collaborate with medical professionals and plan for the physical and mental health aspects of withdrawal.

Quitting benzos cold turkey is risky and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms and a higher chance of relapse.

The most secure way to quit benzos is to lower your dose gradually over time. Nonetheless, if this reduction process is prolonged, it could lead to extended withdrawal.

There’s no replacement for professional care and guidance when it comes to safely navigating benzo withdrawal. Medical detox is the safest and most effective way to manage the withdrawal process and prevent relapse.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Detox and Treatment

If a doctor gave you benzos or you took them for fun, stopping can be dangerous and feel impossible.

At White Oak Recovery Center, we understand that detox can be the most challenging phase of entering treatment. This is why our skilled group of nurses and therapists guarantees that our medically monitored detox program keeps our residents secure and at ease.

At WORC, we rely solely on proven, evidence-based treatments like medication-assisted treatment to ease the transition into sobriety and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to build your confidence for a successful and lasting recovery.

Our private facility allows our caring and professional team to build a personal connection with each resident, offering support groups within a family-like environment.

Reach out to take the initial steps toward overcoming addiction and achieving lifelong recovery. Our treatment specialists are ready to guide you on this journey.