Benzodiazepine Detox – Things You Need To Know

Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Any kind of withdrawal symptom from addiction is harrowing and stressful. The patients with Benzodiazepine addiction will have to go through this. They will suffer physically and emotionally throughout the withdrawal period, and this time is going to be tough and even life-threatening. The more extended period you are taking this drug, the more intense withdrawal symptoms you will face. It is not safe to just stop taking benzos on your own so best to seek help.

The most common symptoms are-

• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Increased tension
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Panic attacks
• Heavily sweating
• Immense headache
• Palpitating heart
• Cravings
• Muscular pain/stiffness
• Hand tremors

In cases of severe addiction, more severe symptoms can be noticed. These are less common, but people with high addiction may suffer from-

• Hallucinations
• Suicidal thoughts
• Psychotic reactions
• Seizures

How Long the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Lasts?

Practitioners prescribe different doses of Benzos for individuals. As per the brands, the life of the medicine depends. If you consume the shorter-acting Benzos, the withdrawal symptoms will start sooner than those with longer-acting ones. Usually, for shorter-acting Benzos, the withdrawal symptoms begin within 2 to 6 hours, while in the other case, it may take 24 to 48 hours.

Phases of Benzodiazepine Detox

In the rehab centers, usually, two types of Benzodiazepine Detox methods are followed. Both kinds of detox program come with particular withdrawal symptoms-

1. Acute Withdrawal Phase

This is the initial phase of Benzodiazepine Detox. When Benzos are prescribed to reduce anxiety disorders, but the patient gets addicted to it, they have to go through this phase as a part of treatment. The anxiety-related mindset can lead to hypersensitivity if the patient falls for Benzos addiction. At the withdrawal phase, the patient may suffer from a hallucination, distortions, etc. this phase can last from 5 to 14 days. during this time, the patient can suffer from several other withdrawal symptoms, like-

• Panic attacks
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Muscle pain

Apart from these, the patient may suffer from high sensitivity to light and sound. Usually, this happens when rebound symptoms begin to appear. People suffer the most during the night times when their sleep cycles are affected, and they get disturbed sleep, nightmares, etc., throughout the night.

2. Protracted Withdrawal Phase

In this phase, the patient suffers from similar kinds of symptoms, but in a reduced manner. This phase lasts longer. This phase runs when the patient is under a detox program, and his/her body learns to cope with the changes of not having Benzodiazepine. This time, your body stabilizes, but the effect of addiction is still there, so sometimes you may feel certain distortions, like-

• Depression
• Lesser anxiety
• Irritability
• Poor concentration

These symptoms may appear and go as the drug’s initial shock is still in your system during this phase.

So, here you get to know about Benzodiazepine Detox. If you know someone is suffering from this issue, it is high time to consult the best rehab health centre like Rehab Healthcare (RehabHc) for safe and proven treatment.