Clinically examined by
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS
Am 30.08.2022
Benzodiazepines, also known as "benzos," work well in treating conditions like anxiety and insomnia, but only for a limited time. When the time comes to stop using benzos, serious problems can arise, especially if you've been taking them for months or years. Beside,benzo withdrawalIt can be an excruciating experience that makes it difficult to stay away from these drugs. The good news is that the benzo withdrawal is coming to an end. However, your comfort level depends on whether you have specific supports.
the benzo effect
Benzodiazepine, such as Xanax, Ativan,Valium, Librium and Klonopin, have a wide range of applications. Their ability to decrease activity in the central nervous system, along with the way benzodiazepines do this, makes them effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, seizures, panic attacks and muscle spasms. While highly effective, benzos should only be used short term, orsubstancea use disorder may develop.
BenzodiazepinaThey work by stimulating cells in the brain that secrete GABA. GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a key role in maintaining the balance of chemical and electrical activity throughout the central nervous system. GABA slows down brain activity and works with glutamate (the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter) to keep it running smoothly. These interactions directly affect your mood, energy levels, thinking, and even your coordination, which are most affected when you go through benzo withdrawal.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms
Benzo withdrawal symptoms can take many forms, depending on how your body is reacting and why you're taking the drug.medicine. When you take Xanax or Ativan to relieve anxiety, the anxiety is not just a withdrawal symptom, it can be stronger than before. This is known as the rebound effect, where the symptoms experienced during withdrawal become more intense or severe than they were before you started taking the drug. The same goes for benzodiazepines, which treat insomnia, seizures, panic attacks, and muscle spasms.
Common benzo withdrawal symptoms include:
- intense sister
- memory problems
- Loss of coordination and balance.
- insomnia
- nausea and vomit
- discomfort and pain
- blurry vision
- muscle cramps
- feeling nervous
- Moderate to strong cravings for drugs
The general level of discomfort experienced, along with the rebound symptoms, makes it extremely difficult to stay away from benzodiazepines once you stop taking them. For these reasons, it is best to go through amedical detoxinstead of trying to stop on their own. Withmedical detox, drug treatments relieve uncomfortable symptoms and increase your chances of surviving benzodiazepine withdrawal and going without benzodiazepines for good.
Different types of benzos and their effects
While the symptoms you can expect with withdrawal are similar, benzodiazepines differ in how long they last. Short-acting benzodiazepines like Halcion work from three to eight hours, depending on your metabolic rate. Intermediate-acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan work in 11 to 20 hours. With long-acting benzodiazepines such as Valium and Librium, you may feel their effects for up to two days. These differences affect how the timing of benzo withdrawal develops. In general, the longer the effect lasts, the longer it takes for withdrawal symptoms to manifest. If you stop using Xanax or Ativan (short acting), withdrawal will likely begin within 10 to 12 hours of your last dose of medication. With Valium or Librium (long-acting), it may take a few days before you start to notice benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Factors Affecting Benzo's Retirement Schedule
A variety of factors can affect the duration of benzodiazepine withdrawal, one of which is whether you stop a short-acting or long-acting benzodiazepine. Short-acting benzodiazepines can stay in your body for up to two days, while long-acting forms can take up to 10 days to leave your body.
Other factors that affect the timing of benzo withdrawal include:
- What dose do you take regularly?
- How long have you been taking benzos?
- If you have developed a physical dependence on the drug.
- if you got hooked
- If you abused other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, along with benzodiazepines
Benzo withdrawal steps
Early or immediate payment
Early withdrawal usually starts a few hours to a few days after stopping the drug, depending on whether you were taking a short-acting or long-acting benzo. At this early stage, rebound symptoms tend to develop. In fact, if you are taking benzos for anxiety relief, insomnia, or any other known treatment purpose, the initial symptoms will return in full force, if not more.
acute withdrawal
Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms usually develop within three to five days after the last dose and last between five and 28 days. Acute withdrawal is when the most severe symptoms appear. The severity of this symptom reflects the state of imbalance that exists in the brain and body. Most notably, the brain has to relearn how to regulate GABA secretion without the help of benzodiazepines, which explains why symptoms can be so severe at this stage.
extended revocation
Prolonged withdrawal, also known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms or PAWS, does not affect all people who stop using benzodiazepines. You are more likely to experience PAWS if you have used benzos longer than prescribed, abused them, or developed an addiction. The more you take benzos, the more your brain and body will become dependent on them. If you stop taking the medicine, it will take longer for your body to get back to normal. For these reasons, persistent withdrawal symptoms can last up to 12 months or longer.
Expected symptoms during prolonged abstinence include:
- Depression
- Anguish
- mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- decreased sexual desire
- sleep disorders
Ultimately, discontinuing benzo use can lead to severe physical and emotional symptoms. Once you become physically dependent or addicted to benzodiazepines, it is impossible to stop taking them without some form of supportive care.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to benzodiazepines or other substances and are looking for anew jersey detox,Connecticut-Entgiftungo einsDrogen Rehab in New York, Ascendant is here to help. Benzo Detox at Ascendant New York provides the medical and emotional support needed to navigate the benzo withdrawal process. These include drug treatments, behavioral therapies and relapse prevention training. Ourwalking reha in new yorkIt also provides ongoing support and accountability for those who have gotten sober. If you don't have the necessary treatment supports, you are very prone to relapses, which only makes the situation worse.
Take the first step and call usAscendant for detoxno moment.
Sources:
- Drugfree.org. What are benzodiazepines? What parents need to know. Association for the End of Addiction. Accessed August 30, 2022. https://drugfree.org/drugs/what-are-benzodiazepines/
- Patterson E. Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment of Valium Abuse. substance abuse. with. Published February 19, 2021. Accessed August 30, 2022. https://drugabuse.com/benzodiazepines/valium/abuse/
Medical content author
Amanda Stevens, BS
Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. He graduated magnum cum laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in social work. As a person recovering from an eating disorder, she is passionate about seeing people heal and transform. She writes for popular treatment centers such asinfinite rest,ocean recovery,The treatment of heights,Epiphanie Wellness,New water recovery,Gallus Detox,separate recovery,absolute awakening,achieve well-being,recovery updateand juvenile psychiatric centerPunto-Basis-Akademie. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health, nutrition, meditation, spiritual practices and enjoys being a mother to a beautiful daughter.
Last medical exam August 30, 2022