Addiction to drugs affects many individuals and families in the U.S., making treatment for substance use disorders vitally important. While benzodiazepines often prove helpful when used as prescribed, their tranquilizing effects can end up becoming addictive. When this happens, admitting to a benzodiazepine detox center such as Brentwood Springs in Nashville, TN is the fundamental first step to helping a person become sober.
Why Do People Take Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “benzos,†are prescription medications that act as tranquilizers. Commonly prescribed to people who experience conditions like anxiety disorders and panic disorders, benzos can affect positive change when it comes to dealing with the symptoms of these mental health issues. The drugs also help in the treatment of insomnia and seizures, helping the body to relax. The effects of benzodiazepines can be either short-acting or long-acting.
Medications Classified as Benzodiazepines
Several prescription medications fall under the benzodiazepine umbrella. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that benzos have the potential for people to become dependent on and abuse them, with this being particularly risky for those with a history of multi-substance abuse. There are several types of benzodiazepines that are commonly prescribed – and most commonly sold illegally on the black market. These are:
- Alprazolam (commonly sold as Xanax)
- Clonazepam (commonly sold as Klonopin)
- Lorazepam (commonly sold as Ativan)
- Diazepam (commonly sold as Valium)
- Temazepam (commonly sold as Restoril)
Symptoms of Addiction to Benzodiazepines
When a person becomes addicted to benzos, it is not always immediately obvious to those around them. There are several key signs that may indicate dependence or addiction to them has developed.
These symptoms can be physical in nature, including:
- Drowsiness
- Feeling weak
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Using poor judgment
- Taking higher dosages to get the same effect as previously achieved
Other symptoms include those of a psychological or behavioral nature:
- Mood swings
- Taking more benzodiazepines than prescribed
- Doctor shopping (seeking several prescriptions from more than one physician)
- Taking benzodiazepines without a prescription for them
- Wanting to decrease or stop usage but unable to do so
- Combining benzodiazepine usage with other drugs or alcohol
Your journey toward healing begins today.
Brentwood Springs Detox is a leading drug and alcohol addiction treatment services. If you or a loved one are in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (615) 560-7545 to speak with us.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people who are dependent or addicted to benzodiazepines will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them. These symptoms also occur when someone who still currently uses the drug goes for a period of time without taking them. Withdrawal symptoms can last from several days to two or more weeks and will vary depending on the length of the addiction and other underlying issues, like mental illness.
Common withdrawal symptoms can be physical in nature, including:
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Feeling weak
- Difficulty walking
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Hot and cold flashes
- Cravings for the drug
Other withdrawal symptoms involve emotional or mental difficulties, including:
- Changes in perception
- Feeling disoriented
- Feeling agitated
- Anxiety
- Depression
Benzodiazepine withdrawal typically begins within a few hours after the last dosage is taken. Many people experience anxiety and feeling disoriented, with all symptoms peaking around the second or third day. Symptoms begin to lessen around the third or fourth day.
Some people experience withdrawal symptoms that can last from two to eight weeks. They can include symptoms such as anxiety, depression, lethargy, and difficulty with memory.
A program like our benzodiazepine detox in Nashville, Tennessee, can help a person reduce and eliminate many of the symptoms, giving them an easier time during withdrawal. People who successfully complete a detox program are more likely to stay in recovery without relapsing.
How Does Benzodiazepine Detox in Nashville, TN Work?
When a person becomes addicted to drugs, the first step in treatment is detoxification, often called detox. Attempting to withdraw from drugs without help is often unsuccessful. A formal treatment program provides people with immediate access to any needed medical help when it comes to physical withdrawal symptoms. Emotional withdrawal can also prove challenging which is why benzodiazepine detox in Nashville can also help alleviate symptoms such as feelings of depression or anxiety.
Detox treatment involves carefully planned steps to help provide the optimum treatment for each individual. These steps include:
Assessment
We learn the length of the addiction, what substances have been abused, the amount that is typically taken, and any other mental or physical health concerns.
Establish Commitment
We help the client understand that detox is the first step, and that they need to make a commitment to the full treatment plan.
Recommend Types of Treatment
We determine what treatment will work best for an individual and help them understand the process. Options for treatment may include a residential, intensive outpatient, outpatient, or partial hospitalization program.
Aftercare Planning
Even after formal treatment ends, participating in aftercare planning supports long-term recovery. It provides the individual with a place to turn for support down the line and extended accountability.
Benzodiazepine Detox Center in Nashville, TN
Brentwood Springs Detox in Nashville, TN offers professional detox from benzodiazepines supervised by medical specialists 24/7. Our trained and caring staff allows you to complete the benzo detox process comfortably and safely while preparing to transition into the next phase of recovery. We accept some Cigna and Aetna plays to help cover treatment.
Contact us today and get started on recovering from benzodiazepine addiction. We can help you get healthy again.
