Addiction to drugs affects many individuals and families in the U.S. Thereby, making comprehensive treatment for substance use disorders vitally important. While benzodiazepines often prove helpful when used as prescribed, their sedative effects can lead to dependence and addiction for many.
Fortunately, Brentwood Springs offers safe and effective benzodiazepine detox in Nashville, Tennessee. Someone admitting they are struggling with addiction is an important first step to healing and recovery.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, sometimes called “benzos”, are types of medication that help with different medical conditions. They work by making a chemical in the brain called GABA more powerful. This makes someone feel more relaxed and less anxious. Doctors may give these drugs for a short time to help with conditions such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, muscle spasms, and seizures. The effects of benzodiazepines can be either short-acting or long-acting.
Benzos are also sometimes used when someone is trying to stop drinking alcohol. These medicines come in tablets, capsules, or liquids. They should not be used for long periods of time because people can build a tolerance that can lead to dependence or addiction. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider and follow their instructions carefully to prevent serious side effects as well as developing dependence.
The abuse of benzodiazepines has been on the rise in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report a substantial increase seen from 2019 to 2020. Overdose visits related to these drugs went up by 23.7%. Deaths involving both prescription and illicit forms rose significantly during this time frame also. Furthermore, 92.7% of all benzo-related fatalities had opioid involvement while 66.7% involved illegally manufactured fentanyl. These alarming numbers show just how dangerous these substances can be.
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. Accordingly, this is particularly risky for those with a history or risk of multi-substance abuse. There are several types of benzodiazepines that are commonly prescribed by doctors. In addition, most are also commonly sold illegally on the black market.
Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include:
- 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)
How Addictive are Benzodiazepines?
In September 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a mandate to update warnings on benzodiazepine drug products. This updated warning stressed the potential risks associated with nonmedical use such as addiction, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. This update is due to the widespread misuse of these medications. Especially, when combined with other substances like alcohol or opioids that can result in serious harm including overdose and death.
Many drugs that act as neurotransmitters or attach themselves to dopamine receptors create a rush of pleasure-inducing emotions. However, when the drug wears off these are replaced by feelings of anxiety and depression.
Benzos work differently in this regard. They reduce an inhibitor mechanism that limits flooding with dopamine despite overwhelming pleasurable sensations being experienced simultaneously. For those considering benzo detox in Nashville, it is important to understand how their brain chemistry will be affected before beginning recovery from addiction.
Symptoms of Addiction to Benzodiazepines
When a person becomes addicted to benzos, it is not always immediately obvious to those around them. Slowly friends and family may see behavior and physical changes in their loved one and become concerned. There are several key signs that indicate dependence or addiction to the drug has developed.
These signs can be physical in nature, including:
- Drowsiness
- Feeling weak
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep changes
- Taking higher dosages to get the same effect as previously achieved
Other symptoms include those of a psychological or behavioral nature:
- Mood swings
- Using poor judgment
- Irritability
- 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) 208-6264 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 conditions.
Common physical withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Feeling weak
- Difficulty walking
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Hot flashes and cold chills
- Cravings for the drug
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
Other withdrawal symptoms involve emotional or mental difficulties, including:
- Changes in perception
- Being disoriented
- Feeling agitated
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- 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. However, some people experience withdrawal symptoms that can last from two to eight weeks. These lingering symptoms may include anxiety, depression, lethargy, and difficulty with memory.
A comprehensive treatment program like our benzodiazepine detox in Nashville helps clients reduce and eliminate many of the uncomfortable symptoms in a safe and supportive setting. It is also important to address underlying factors during this time that may have led to substance abuse. Furthermore, people who successfully complete a detox program are more likely to stay in recovery without relapsing.
How Does Benzodiazepine Detox in Nashville Work?
When a person becomes addicted to drugs, the first step in treatment is detoxification. Attempting to withdraw from drugs without professional help and monitoring is unsafe and often unsuccessful. A professional treatment program provides people with immediate access to any needed medical help managing physical withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, we accept some Cigna and Aetna plans to help cover treatment.
Emotional withdrawal is also challenging and should be addressed. For this reason, our holistic approach to benzo detox in Nashville provides relief from both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms while healing the mind, body, and spirit.
Detox treatment involves carefully planned steps to help provide the best outcome for each client. These steps include:
Assessment
A complete evaluation by our team of professionals helps us design a personalized treatment plan based on each individual’s unique needs. Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Treatment is based on factors such as the length of the addiction, what substances have been abused, the amount that is typically taken, physical health, and any other co-occurring mental health dual diagnosis.
Establish Commitment
We help clients understand that detox is an important first step on the path to successful recovery. Our compassionate addiction specialists support and guide clients to commit to the full treatment plan. By understanding what to expect from each step of treatment, people can make informed decisions about their recovery pathway.
Recommend Types of Treatment
We determine what treatment programs will work best for an individual and help them understand the process. Options for treatment after detox may include a residential or inpatient program (IP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), outpatient program (OP), or partial hospitalization program (PHP).
Aftercare Planning
Even after formal treatment ends, participating in aftercare services supports long-term recovery. It provides the individual with a place to turn for ongoing support down the line and extends accountability.
Begin Safe Benzodiazepine Detox in Nashville, TN
Brentwood Springs Detox offers holistic 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.
Contact us today to speak to our experienced staff about our approach to benzodiazepine detox in Nashville, Tennessee. We can help you get healthy again.
