While the withdrawal process can be challenging, many individuals find that with the right support, treatments, and coping benzodiazepine withdrawal strategies, they can return to a fulfilling, drug-free life. Factors such as the duration of benzodiazepine use, dosage, specific benzodiazepine type, method of consumption, co-existing medical or mental health issues, and concurrent use of other substances can influence withdrawal severity. These factors don’t guarantee you’ll have severe withdrawal symptoms, but they can increase your vulnerability. So, your doctor may recommend a slower taper schedule as a safety precaution.

What Happens When a Person Stops Taking Benzos?

• Most will be unable to think of anything else except getting another fix of the drug.
• At Sullivan Recovery, patients attend regular appointments for check-ins, therapy, and medication monitoring.
• At Good Landing Recovery, we understand that withdrawal is one of the hardest parts of the recovery process.
• Stopping the drug so abruptly will cause a person to have very intense withdrawal symptoms that can occur very quickly.

Approximately a third of people receiving treatment may experience grand mal seizures. Withdrawal isn’t just physical—it also affects mental and emotional health. Physical symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal are slurred speech, impaired vision, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. While benzodiazepines have provided relief to countless individuals struggling with various conditions, understanding their actions, benefits, and potential pitfalls Halfway house is crucial.

Patient Handouts

There are some cases where BZD prescribing is appropriate to treat a severe anxiety disorder. Hence the patient needs a careful assessment including an evaluation of the reasons for and against use prior to embarking on the management outlined below. Navigating the complexities of benzodiazepine withdrawal is not a journey anyone should take alone. The effects of withdrawal can be profound and, in some cases, life-threatening. However, with the right support and guidance, recovery and a life free from dependence on benzodiazepines are entirely attainable. The literature on benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal is reviewed with an emphasis on social and psychological considerations.

18              Withdrawal Treatment:  Outcomes

• Medical detoxification, under the supervision of healthcare professionals, can help manage and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
• These medications function by enhancing GABA activity in the central nervous system, reducing neuron excitability and promoting calm behavior, sleep, and relaxation.
• The withdrawal timeline from benzodiazepines is a highly individualized process influenced by a myriad of factors.
• Patients often benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), group sessions, and stress reduction practices.

Benzodiazepines can also interact dangerously with alcohol, opioids, or amphetamines, increasing the chance of overdose or severe sedation. Because of these risks, the British National Formulary recommends cautious dosing and close clinical monitoring to prevent misuse and rebound effects like worsened anxiety or insomnia. Reach out to us today at Avenues Recovery so that our experienced addiction counselors can ease you through the benzo withdrawal timeline and help you reach sobriety in a supportive and confidential environment. Your best chance for a smooth recovery is professional care in one of our expertly-staffed facilities. PAWS triggers sharp withdrawal symptoms long after a person has taken their last dose.