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Benzo Detox

Benzodiazepine, or benzo, is the generic name for medications prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Some popularly abused benzos include Klonopin, Xanax and Valium. Other uses for benzodiazepines include the treatment of insomnia, seizures and restless leg syndrome. Abrupt withdrawal from daily or frequent use of benzos can cause anxiety, panic attacks, depression, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, tremors, delusions, nausea and other potentially life-threatening symptoms. Detoxing from these substances can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days.

  1. Why Go to In-patient Detox

    • Benzodiazepines are highly addictive drugs that cause sedation and relaxation --- mirroring alcoholism. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may experience major withdraw symptoms, such as anxiety, sweating, and tremors, as soon as 24 to 72 hours after your last use. Abrupt withdrawal from these drugs could induce seizures, heart failure and coma. Major withdrawal symptoms can be avoided if you have a safe, medical detox. In-patient treatment, versus out-patient, is the recommended therapy. At an in-patient facility, your potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms, heart rate and mood will be monitored around the clock.

    Physical symptoms

    • While you are detoxing, you will still need to be treated for the physical side affects of drug withdrawal. Your doctor may prescribe small and gradually decreasing doses of a benzo to treat your anxiety, pain and restlessness. Some medications used include clonazepam (brand name Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax). This process is known as drug-replacement therapy and is thought to minimize craving, which is one of the greatest obstacles you will face while working on your sobriety. Your psychiatrist may also prescribe medication to manage your depression.

    Psychological symptoms

    • Craving for your drug of choice could persist for weeks or even months. The psychological addiction to benzos can linger for years. Researchers at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany have determined that recurrent detoxification is linked to craving. The study authors noticed a significant correlation between alcoholic patients who had several detoxes and their score on tests that determine their level of craving. At both in-patient and out-patient detox facilities, counseling, drug education meetings and group therapy will help you develop tools to cope with the desire to use drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, counseling and therapy is critical when treating addiction.

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