Benzodiazepine drugs can cause physical dependence and withdrawal with chronic use or misuse. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to narcissistic alcoholic mother function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time.
- Among respondents whose symptoms lasted months or years, over half said caffeine or alcohol worsened their PAWS symptoms.
- Several types of benzodiazepines are sold under popular brand names like Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Klonopin (clonazepam).
- Benzo withdrawal symptoms can depend on the dosage and how long you have been taking them.
- Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, intense nausea, fevers and powerful cravings in the best cases.
What are the symptoms of benzo withdrawal?
This includes how frequently you need to take benzos and for how long. A 2018 analysis also revealed that drug misuse accounts for about 17% of benzodiazepine use among adults in the United States. Psychotherapy can help you understand the root cause of your substance abuse problems. It can also help you learn to identify psychological triggers that may cause you to relapse so that you can avoid them in the future. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be managed with a gradual dose reduction, which will cause milder symptoms that come and go in waves.
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Seeking out a detox program for benzodiazepine withdrawal is highly recommended for anyone who’s taken benzodiazepines (benzos) for a very long time. When tapering off benzodiazepines, you’ll always want to work with a trained healthcare professional who can monitor you for side effects and adjust your pace accordingly. If you take benzodiazepines infrequently, such as once a week or once every few weeks to treat panic attacks, you can take them for a longer period of time. This is because inconsistent use doesn’t pose the same risk of dependence or withdrawal.
Benzo Detox at FHE Health
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Some people even start to crave these medications and use more than prescribed or develop an addiction to them. A therapist or other mental health professional can offer support with navigating these effects and helping improve your overall quality of life during the withdrawal period. Even if you only take Xanax for a period of several days, you may develop a physical dependence on the drug. This means that you will likely experience Xanax withdrawal, or the uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms of discontinuing the drug. The intensity of your symptoms depends on your dosage, or how much Xanax you’ve been taking and for how long. But quitting almost anything that provides positive feedback in the brain is easier said than done.
Some supplements, such as valerian and melatonin, might also help you get some relief from your symptoms, but research has found mixed results. Your care team can offer more guidance on safely trying these supplements. Among respondents whose symptoms lasted months or years, over half said caffeine or alcohol worsened their PAWS symptoms. Dependence and withdrawal can happen to anyone, even if you take your medication exactly as instructed. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at
These drugs are habit-forming and can easily result in physical dependence. This dependence may lead to a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs. Your doctor will help make an individualized tapering schedule based on your current dose and particular circumstances. In people with co-occurring substance use disorders, they are also very risky. Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs interact with opioids and other sedating drugs, and their combination perpetuates overdose and death. These medications work by activating benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.
As a culture, we need to be careful to minimize our use and prescription of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, using them only when absolutely necessary. Doing so will save lives, reduce morbidity, and lessen costs to healthcare systems. In severe cases, benzodiazepine and Z-drug withdrawal can be life-threatening, causing seizures and hallucinations. It’s no wonder that enabling vs supporting many people who make an attempt to stop quickly give up the fight, resigning themselves to being on them long-term.