Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a type of medication used to treat anxiety and other mental health conditions. They work to slow the function of the central nervous system. Used too long or at a high dose, benzos create a high risk for addiction. Benzodiazepine detox is sometimes a necessary step in the recovery process.
If you are taking benzos such as the following, do not just stop taking them. Reach out to our team at Iron Bridge, your doctor, or a local emergency room for help.
- Klonopin
- Ativan
- Xanax
- Valium
- Onfi
- Tranxene
Rapid cessation of these drugs can result in a severe and life-threatening situation. However, taking action to stop using benzos is life-saving. In 2021, nearly 14% of all opioid-related overdoses also involved the use of benzos, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The safest way to stop using benzos is to enroll in a drug detox program. Iron Bridge is ready to help.
When Is Benzo Detox Necessary?
Detox for benzos is necessary when a person is experiencing cravings or other withdrawal symptoms. The brain can become dependent on benzos. Simply not taking them is unsafe. If you have any of the following symptoms of dependence on benzos, it’s time to speak to a professional about potential addiction:
- Feeling unable to cope and navigate daily life without the use of the drug
- Needing to use more over time to just get the same control and focus
- Feeling ill if you stop taking them
- You are using them to get high or experience an intoxicating effect
- Onset or worsening of anxiety or depression
- Feeling hypersensitive to touch
- Muscle pains and twitches
If you are engaging in any type of self-harming behavior or have had thoughts of suicide, it is essential that you seek immediate care. Doing so can provide you with the immediate support you need.
If you are using these substances and stop suddenly, your body will react with significant withdrawal symptoms. These can be highly dangerous. Here are several things to know:
You should never stop taking benzos that your doctor prescribed without talking to your doctor first. Most often, a person needs to slowly reduce the use of prescription medications to safely stop using them.
If you are misusing benzos and have been for a period of time, you shouldn’t simply stop taking them. Instead, seek out a professional detox center like Iron Bridge. Here, we’ll work to slowly allow your brain and body to adjust to not having benzos.
What Happens If You Just Stop Taking Benzos?
A person using benzos for some time should not simply stop using them. Doing so puts you at a high risk for health complications. Severe withdrawal symptoms you can expect include:
- Seizures
- Catatonia
- Delirium tremens
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Threat of suicide
Most people will not experience these severe symptoms if they detox in a safe and controlled environment. Physical dependence on benzos is highly dangerous because of these factors. While taking one pill may not lead to the onset of these complications, those who have used substances for some time and developed a dependency should not simply stop.
How Does Detox for Benzos Work?
Detox services at Iron Bridge are personalized to fit your specific needs. We work closely with you to understand what you are facing and feeling. We can then structure a clear and comprehensive plan to help you stop taking benzos in an effective but safe way. After contacting our admissions team and learning more about our services, we can offer inpatient detox at our Chester, VA, location.
A medical detox center like ours allows you to be safe with around-the-clock support if you should experience withdrawal symptoms or complications from not using the medication. We will begin a gradual tapering off of the medication and use other medications to reduce pain and discomfort. You don’t have to tough it out – that’s not recommended with benzos because of the risks they have.
Instead, you’ll work with our team hand-in-hand every step of the way. We will provide you with support for cognitive and emotional help, along with providing physical and medical stabilization. Once you complete detox and you start feeling more in control, we’ll help you move into our residential treatment program. There, you’ll work through the healing process.
You and your loved ones are safe with us. Take the steps necessary to get benzo addiction treatment. Doing so could save your life or that of a loved one.
Contact Us Now for Immediate Support in Benzo Detox
We offer help to those ready to regain control over their life. Our initial process starts with a medical evaluation, stabilization of your physical health, and supervision in a medical detox. Contact Iron Bridge Recovery Center near Richmond now for the help you need.
